New modular classrooms installed in Colville Lake

Students in Colville Lake will be starting school this year with new modular classroom facilities.

The GNWT, in partnership with the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation (BAFN), the Sahtu District Education Council (SDEC) and the Colville Lake District Education Authority, marked the official opening of these facilities with a ribbon-cutting at Colville Lake School.

The new facilities will open for the 2026-27 school year, providing improved learning and working environments for students and teachers. The project adds two modular classroom units and one washroom module, stated a release.

These new modulars will address space limitations of the existing school, which is a 250-square-metre log building constructed in 1991 with a modular classroom added in 2006, stated a release.

Caitlin Cleveland, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, stated that “Every student in the Northwest Territories deserves quality educational facilities, no matter where they live. Safe, welcoming and functional learning spaces are crucial parts of student success.

“Today, we made an important step in delivering that to the students, families, educators and community members of Colville Lake. These modular school units strengthen learning opportunities now, while we continue to make good progress with Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation in the planning and construction of Colville Lake’s new, permanent school.”

In recent years, younger students, including Junior Kindergarten students, have been accommodated in a small portable classroom adjacent to the school. The new modular facilities provide additional classroom capacity.

They are designed to support the current population of 51 students, based on September 2025 enrollment, and provide flexibility for future programming needs.

Some facts about the project:

• The project includes two modular classroom units and one washroom module.
• The modular facilities support the current school population of 51 students.
• The existing school consists of a 250-square-metre log building built in 1991 and a modular classroom added in 2006.
• Major site preparation for the modular classrooms was completed in 2025, with final preparation completed in summer 2026.
• The modular units were delivered to Colville Lake during the March 2026 winter road season.
• A new permanent school for Colville Lake is currently in the planning and design phase. A work plan is in place, with the site selection milestone completed, community engagement progressing and a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architectural and Engineering services planned for issue by late summer 2026.
• The replacement school is being planned to accommodate 75 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.