 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
High School to be renovated Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, October 24, 2011
The territorial government is allocating $8.8 million to complete the second phase of the retrofit of Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik High School. The retrofit will include renovations and expansions - a new gymnasium and classroom. Principal Kim Hagarty said she's happy with the news. "I am thrilled they will be doing renovations on a school that desperately needs them," she said. Renovations to the high school started in 2004 but were delayed a number of times due to changes to the project's scope. Paul Puqiqnak, the district education authority chair, said the authority fought for the high school to be retrofitted for the past three or four years. He said he would love to see a brand new school in place. "We're really happy with the amount of $8.8 million going to our renovations because it's not up to date at the moment," he said. "When you are talking about renovations, that's OK, but everybody else wants to have something new. That would increase attendance. That would increase teachers coming into the community." The two-storey high school was built in the late 1960s, and early '70s but was renovated in the '90s to include a library. Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik currently has 209 students. "At the moment, we have a class in the library. We have a class in the kitchen," said Puqiqnak. He added some classrooms lack heat at times so teachers have had to send students home. Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk represents Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak at the legislative assembly.
|
