SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Three communities - Lutsel K'e, the Hay River Reserve and Tsiigehtchic - will each be getting a new adult education facility.

Government funding - $4.3 million in all - was announced July 30 to build new Aurora College community learning centres in the three communities.

By community, $1,308,000 will be spent in Lutsel K'e, $1,023,000 on the Hay River Reserve and $2,033,000 in Tsiigehtchic.

Currently, the Aurora College community learning centres in Lutsel K'e and Tsiigehtchic are old and in need of replacement, as is the adult learning centre owned by K'atlodeeche First Nation (KFN) on the Hay River Reserve.

"It's exciting to get an investment in new learning centres," said Jeff O'Keefe, the acting president of Aurora College.

O'Keefe added the facilities will provide new opportunities for learning.

Chief Steven Nitah of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation said the current learning centre in his community is an old building that used to be a school.

"We could do a lot better," Nitah said.

The chief said he is happy to see the funding.

Many NWT students are graduating high school without the education required to enter university or community college, and require upgrading, Nitah said. "There's clearly a big gap and there's a need."

Keith Marshall, band manager with KFN, said the band is "absolutely" pleased with the funding announcement.

Marshall said the KFN will be receiving more details on the project, including when it might be constructed.

"It's going to be a new facility," he said.

The KFN currently operates an adult learning centre in a small building.

The three projects are being funded on a 50/50 basis by Ottawa and the territorial government.

"We are very pleased to partner with Canada today to advance employment, education and skills development in our territory," said Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty in a news release. "Our shared investment in these community learning centres reflects the commitment we have made to maximizing education and training opportunities for all residents of the Northwest Territories."

The federal portion of the funding comes from the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a two-year, $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at post-secondary institutions.