IglulikSA国际影视传媒檚 new high school was expected to open for the 2018-19 school year but it sat empty and it will remain that way until January, according to the Department of Education.
photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut
The Government of Nunavut and Quebec-based contractor FCNQ Construction had been deadlocked over a flooring dispute but thereSA国际影视传媒檚 now an agreed upon plan to fix it, stated Tracey MacMillan, assistant deputy minister with the Department of Education.
The concrete flooring in the new school was affected by SA国际影视传媒渆xcessive crackingSA国际影视传媒� and itSA国际影视传媒檚 uneven in colour, according to MacMillan.
SA国际影视传媒淭he project was put on hold to determine the best way to move forward and to make sure that this this important new facility has attractive and durable floors,SA国际影视传媒� she stated.
An independent engineer was brought in to help review the flooring problem. The contractor subsequently proposed corrective action and the GN has accepted it, said MacMillan, who noted that the government is protected by a performance bond and the GN has held back money from FCNQ in the meantime to SA国际影视传媒減rotect the GNSA国际影视传媒檚 financial interests.SA国际影视传媒�
The repairs are expected to be essentially complete by late October, but other preparations will need to be carried out. Therefore, students wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be able to begin classes at the new high school until early in the new year.
A spokesperson for FCNQ couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be reached for comment prior to press deadline.
Tony Nutarakittuq, chair of the Iglulik District Education Authority, said heSA国际影视传媒檚 satisfied the territorial government has handled the situation as well as it could.
SA国际影视传媒淵es, definitely,SA国际影视传媒� Nutarakittuq said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey have their reasons for it not to open SA国际影视传媒� for safety reasons.SA国际影视传媒�
Senior students in Iglulik will continue to use the communitySA国际影视传媒檚 old high school in the interim.
KugaarukSA国际影视传媒檚 new school almost done
photo courtesy of the Government of Nunavut
In the Kitikmeot, KugaarukSA国际影视传媒檚 new $40-million educational facility is in its final stages and expected to be in the hands of the GN as of Aug. 15, according to MacMillan.
Students are slated to start classes there on Aug. 28.
Netsilik MLA Emiliano Qirngnuq said thereSA国际影视传媒檚 great anticipation in the community relating to the brand new facility.
SA国际影视传媒淭he teachers and the school kids are just itching to move into the school,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he whole town is real excited and very happy for the new school.SA国际影视传媒�
Athol Ihakkaq, chair of the Kugaaruk District Education Authority, said, SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have a better school for 2019SA国际影视传媒� we really need a new school and bigger classrooms. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 what we need for the future. Now weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have a better school hopefully for 50 years.SA国际影视传媒�
Students have spent the last two years learning in modular classrooms that were shipped into the community via sealift or in a few buildings converted into makeshift learning facilities.
Unlike its predecessor, which was burned to the ground in an act of arson in February 2017, the new school wonSA国际影视传媒檛 bear the name Kugaardjuk Ilihakvik. Instead it will be called Arviligruaq Illiniarvik, which is a tribute to the bowhead whale, said Qirngnuq.
The 49,470-square-foot building is designed to accommodate up to 450 students. The former school was 36,425 square feet.
