Location, location, location
Three community leaders in Fort Resolution propose alternate site for new health centre
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, February 2, 2015
DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
Fort Resolution will soon be getting a new health centre and, while community leadership welcomes that fact, the proposed location is causing much debate.
"The community of Fort Resolution is very pleased to have a new health centre in our community. However, we do have concerns about the location," reads a Jan. 14 letter to Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy from three political leaders in Fort Resolution.
The letter was signed by Mayor Garry Bailey, Fort Resolution Metis Council President Arthur Beck and Chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu K'ue First Nation.
They say that a proposed site near the hamlet's youth centre has a number of problems.
One concern is poor ground composition since it is mostly old layers of sawdust from a closed sawmill. The other is the location on Highway 6 would create accessibility issues, especially for elders.
The letter noted DKFN has proposed a better location at the site of an old and unused so-called eight-plex of single apartments.
"The building has been sitting vacant for the past three years, costing money for fuel, power and maintenance with no plans to re-open it as low-cost housing," the letter states. "As well, there would be no interest or potential purchasers for this building due to the high cost to renovate it."
The three leaders suggest the GNWT negotiate with the NWT Housing Corporation to demolish the building and obtain the land lease.
DKFN also owns two small buildings beside the eight-plex and would be willing to relocate the structures to create adequate space for the new health centre and parking.
"The new health centre would then remain centrally located and easily accessible," the letter concludes.
In an interview with News/North, Balsillie noted the government is also considering a site at the back of the community.
"Back in the boonies," he said, noting there could even be bears or wolves on the edge of town.
Balsillie said he once worked at the sawmill site, recalling vehicles would often get stuck.
"It's all sawdust and sap from the trees sitting below us," he said, adding he doesn't know what kind of ground would be there to build a solid structure. "Back in the boonies is the same thing. You're going to eliminate the trees. The minute you eliminate trees you're going to get that permafrost and you're going to have water."
In general, Balsillie believes it is best to demolish old infrastructure in the community, such as the eight-plex, to make way for new buildings.
"We live here," he said. "Government doesn't have to look at these eyesores in the community."
The chief explained the biggest reason for a central location for the new health centre is that elders will be walking to the facility.
The GNWT had not responded to the letter as of Jan. 20.
Damien Healy, the manager of communications with the Department of Health and Social Services, said a request for proposals to design and build the new health centre was issued on Dec. 23 with a closing date of Feb. 12.
The existing health centre is to be replaced by a new Health and Social Services Centre.
"For now, it looks like construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2015, and expected completion in 2017 is what it looks like now," said Healy.
A technical and functional evaluation of the existing 45-year-old health centre showed it no longer meets program requirements and a new facility is required, he added.
The project was approved in 2013 by members of the legislative assembly.
