Mr. Speaker, overall I am very pleased with the progress which has been made towards the new school in Apex since the tragic fire last fall. I am pleased to report to the House that renovations on a temporary school in a former duplex/residence are progressing well and occupancy of that temporary school is expected to take place March 31. I am told that DPW officials in the community have worked above and beyond the call of duty to see that this moves ahead.
Also last week, town council approved in principle, construction on the existing site of the burned school following a meeting in Apex. There was a good turn out and unanimous support from the community for rebuilding on the existing site. Virtually everyone was there, they were very pleased that council accepted their recommendations and that the Department of Public Works would be applying for a development permit for that site. I am very pleased with all of this, Mr. Speaker.
However, I do have one concern. Niaqunguut education council and members of the community are concerned that the new school should have a gym. The old school, which burned down, had a good size gym. The Niaqunguut education society had been told the government had insurance on the school and that this insurance entitles the government to replace the destroyed property with property of "like kind and quality." I think that is a provision of the GNWT's all-property blanket insurance policy. Mr. Speaker, the people of Apex are expecting the new school will also have a gym and Members who have been there know the school has always been a focal point for community meetings and activities. I will be asking the Minister of Education to work with myself and the community to ensure the new school has a gym. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.