Debates of February 25, 2005 (day 44)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to ask a question to the Minister of Public Works and Services. Just recently the Village of Fort Simpson met and they forwarded me a concern that the department is looking at shutting down the Deh Cho Hall, formerly known as the La Pointe Hall. The village is concerned that it’s scheduled for 2006, based on an evaluation report. What is this report, Mr. Speaker, and when can we see this report? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that facility is one that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment uses to deliver its programs in that community and region. What was done and undertaken was a review through the fire marshal’s office and, on that recommendation, we’ve moved in this area. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that, perhaps the Minister can correct me if I’m wrong, that was a report about four or five years ago. I’m not too sure how old that report is, but I believe some conditions have changed there. Does this report also speak about a relocation plan? Does that report speak to that, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the initial work was done as far back as about 2002, when the fire marshal was looking at that facility. There is a meeting coming up on Monday, between Public Works and Services and Education, Culture and Employment, to review what the necessary steps will have to be. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad that there’s a meeting coming up to discuss the life of the building and what the department plans to do. It has come up several times in constituency meetings that I’ve had in Fort Simpson, Mr. Speaker. People are concerned about maintaining the building. It’s about 10,000 square feet and it’s a future training facility; that’s what people would like to see. Can the Minister and can this government look at ways of maintaining this building? Even though government has to move out, do they have to demolish this building? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, based on the recommendations we received and the code upgrades that have been required, we’d have to do a cost-benefit analysis. That’s why the direction has been, at this point, to look at relocating, and that’s what the meeting is going to be about; to see what needs to be done to make sure that the department can continue to operate in the community and in the region.

With respect to the facility ongoing, again, we haven’t identified the cost of doing a total upgrade on that to see if it is a usable space. The government’s initial move, looking at the preliminary reports, was to look at alternative space. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think the general feeling in Fort Simpson is that, if we undertake a good comprehensive review or a good foundation analysis of this building, you’ll find that it will probably stand for another 100 years. So that’s the concern, Mr. Speaker. Will the government and will the Minister have a real good look at this building and not demolish it, because we can certainly use a facility of that size in Fort Simpson? Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 485-15(3): Closure of La Pointe Hall In Fort Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we can’t commit to continue using the facility unless we get the okay from the fire marshal’s office. So with the fire marshal’s recommendation, the facility can’t be used beyond 2006. That’s why we’ve undertaken this next step, working with Education, Culture and Employment, and we can look at the reports to see what options might be out there. But with the preliminary work that has been done, this avenue was chosen because it’s the most cost-effective way to move. Thank you.