Education
New school site selected for Colville Lake
Coinciding with the arrival of three mobile education units, the Behdzi Ahda' First Nation and the GNWT have agreed to use the former airport runway as the site for a new school
Extra educational support is being provided to Colville Lake through a partnership between the GNWT, and the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation.
A trio of modular school units have been sent to the community to support the local students while also beginning preparations for the construction of a new, more permanent school structure.
Moving these units up to the community was a challenge due to their size and weight, as well as complications with winter road logistics. The units were transported through Enterprise and Colville Lake, requiring several road closures, traffic delays along Highway 1, escorts, and the use of the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road.
Trucks delivering three mobile education units to Coleville Lake (GNWT)
Infrastructure Minister Vince McKay called the delivery of the school units “a major achievement and a testament to the skill, planning, and teamwork of everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, Caitlin Cleveland, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, said that these units will ensure that Colville Lake students will have access to safe, functional, and welcoming learning spaces in their own community.
In his own statement, Richard Kochon, the Chief of the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation, said that these units are a much-needed upgrade to the community.
“The modular school units will benefit our youth with improved access to the education they deserve. The choice of a site for the new school is an important milestone in the completion of a vital piece of infrastructure for our community. The Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation is looking forward to continuing its collaborative work with the Government of the Northwest Territories to successfully complete this project.”
Aside from the mobile school units, a location for a new school has been chosen. Both the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation and the GNWT have agreed to use the decommissioned airport runway that overlooks the community as the site for a new school.
Spanning approximately 7,500 square metres, the site provides sufficient space for the new school and future planning needs. The selection of a site that meets the needs of the community represents an important milestone in the GNWT- Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation workplan to advance a permanent school build.
