Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Virtually all community organizations are involved in the process and overwhelming support has been received to date. Schools are pitching in, the aboriginal organizations are involved, volunteer and community organizations are assisting, local businesses are rallying to provide support and services in kind, and large corporations are also coming on line as partners and contributors. I would like to thank the Government of the Northwest Territories for their full support and also all the other corporate and individual sponsors who have already contributed to this project.
Phase I of the construction is now under way. Last week, five truckloads of material rolled into town and the foundation work is now beginning. Tetlit'zheh Construction from Inuvik has been retained as the project manager. The shell of the complex will be erected over the summer and interior work will continue throughout the fall. Mr. Speaker, we anticipate having a skating party next Christmas to celebrate the grand opening.
Phase II is in the planning stages and, hopefully, will be under way fairly soon. Phase II is the construction of a multi-purpose community hall which would be an addition to the recreation complex. The town of Inuvik has already committed substantial financing to this phase and is trying to pull together the additional funding resources. With the support of the Minister of MACA and this Assembly, we expect to begin construction of phase II concurrent with Phase I. It is anticipated that if this happens, it will result in substantial savings in construction costs.
The community of Inuvik supports this project and we trust that Members of this Assembly will recognize, applaud and endorse the commitment, enthusiasm, resources and energy that Inuvik is enlisting in this project. Mahsi cho.
---Applause