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INUVIK - The cost of Inuvik's new super school is nearing $110 million, according to the territorial Department of Public Works.

The total cost of the school is yet to be confirmed as officials are awaiting an announcement on the awarded contract.

A model of the new building that will house Samuel Hearne and Sir Alexander Mackenzie school. The building is being constructed behind the existing Samuel Hearne facility. The ground is being prepared for construction this month. NNSL file photo

Members of the legislative assembly asked the government about the rumoured cost of building the new Inuvik "super school" last week.

During the second session of the 16th assembly, MLA of Hay River South Jane Groenewegen asked Minister Jackson Lafferty if a contract for the construction of the school had been awarded.

Jackson said he knew of the contract, but could not confirm the cost of the school construction at that time.

Groenewegen also asked about a rumoured cost of $140 million.

In reply, Deputy Minister of Public Works Mike Aumond said the costs of the school were nearing "$110 million."

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger said the government has a cost estimate that has been agreed upon with the companies involved but said the amount could not be released yet.

"We have a very clear specific figure that has been agreed to, but the contracting process has not been concluded yet," Miltenberger said.

He said the cost agreed to is within the appropriation of the funding amount agreed upon by the assembly.

Inuvik regional superintendent Roy Clarke said he could not comment on the current cost of the school because his department is waiting on the finalized contracts.

"We can't talk dollars right now, there are things working through the system," said Clarke.

Clarke said he would not confirm or deny that the cost ballooned from a projected $76 million in February 2008 to the rumoured cost of $140 million.

Clarke said the two numbers may have been mistaken and could represent two different costs.

"There is the construction costs, which are different than the total project costs," he said.

Clarke explained the total project costs included moving the baseball diamond, preparing the lot for construction and anything else that needed to be done.

Clarke said once the contract was signed and agreed upon, it would be in the hands of the legislative assembly for budget approval.

Clarke added the site is being prepared for the installation of steel pilings.

"This summer, we did the shaping of the lot, landscaping and proper drainage," he said.