Debates of October 13, 2005 (day 9)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to follow up with my colleague Mr. McLeod’s statement yesterday regarding Samuel Hearne Secondary School. I’m speaking particularly about the collapse and repair of the foyer and the repairs that are going on right now on the pilings. Can the Minister of Public Works indicate to this side of the House whether there are any further deficiencies identified at Samuel Hearne Secondary School? Thank you.

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

Return To Question 108-15(4): Addressing Deficiencies At Samuel Hearne School

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been doing the work necessary to bring this facility back online. We’ve had a structural engineer look at it. We have a plan together to repair the issues that have caused it to close this year. The concern was about lateral bracing. Because the foundation was in such poor shape, there was concern it would not withstand an earthquake event that may happen. Inuvik is considered to be in an active area or active zone for earthquakes, so that was one of the main considerations taken. The work has been ongoing and is almost complete in that section. One of the other areas we’re working on is also repairing some of the piles underneath the facility this year, and further repairs to the piling program will be done next summer. The other area is some of the structural issues around the gymnasium, and those are being looked at, and we feel that that work can be done again to meet the timelines we’ve set to have the school back in operation prior to the school returning after the Christmas break.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 108-15(4): Addressing Deficiencies At Samuel Hearne School

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a quick follow-up in that regard. With all of the repairs being conducted at Samuel Hearne right now, will that answer some of the promise for the next few years down the road for Samuel Hearne, or is the plan still to look forward to building a new high school in Inuvik? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 108-15(4): Addressing Deficiencies At Samuel Hearne School

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work that is ongoing now at the facility will give it a further increased lifespan. As was laid out previously, we had a five-year agreement in place that would require inspection of the foundation on an annual basis. With this work going ahead and replacing many of the pilings themselves, we should be able to get a clean bill of health for hopefully a minimum of five years as the plans are going ahead for replacement of that facility.