Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)

Topics
Statements

Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Education, Charles Dent. I would like to ask about the status of the student residence supposedly being built in Inuvik. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The current schedule would see the request for proposals going out by the end of this month, with our expectation that the award would take place shortly thereafter and construction hopefully starting by the end of August this summer.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The original tender, I believe, closed in February. Now we hear that the new RFP is going out at the end of the month. I would like to ask the Minister, what was the delay from February until now? We are looking at three or four months before they redid it and put it out. So I would like to ask the Minister what was the delay. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 38-15(5): Status Of Student Residence Facility Planned For Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once the tenders came in or the responses to the proposals came in to the first request for proposals, we found that the prices submitted were well above the budget. So in discussions with Public Works, we looked at other projects that had been undertaken in the Territories for student residences, specifically the one most recently in Fort Smith and were told that if we were to modify the proposal, the design, to reflect the designs that had been used in Fort Smith, that it is likely that we would be able to see the project completed in Inuvik for the amount of money that was in the budget. That work was undertaken and then the college was provided with those plans. At that point, the college requested that we make further changes to the plans. We had to go back to the architect and that added some time. So at this point, we are fairly confident that we are at the end of this process. It should be out to the contractors for their proposals. We are still confident that we will see construction starting later this summer.