Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, on August 3rd the Killinik High School in Cambridge Bay was accidentally set on fire by three children playing with a camping stove under the deck of the school. The fire started at approximately 4:00 p.m. and lasted until the early morning hours of the following day. The loss of the high school building was a tragedy for all residents. Not only was the building the base for high school programming, it also contained the May Maghagak community library, the community gymnasium and the offices of the Kitikmeot Heritage Society. Mr. Speaker, this building had undergone complete renovations and expansion over the past several years. It was originally the primary school built in the early 1970's. In 1994, it was turned into the high school, upon completion of the new Kullik Elementary School. Needless to say, as the only school in Cambridge Bay for over two decades, all residents have been impacted by this loss.
The Killinik High School loss has also impacted the Kullik Elementary School, which shared its mechanical, electrical and municipal service systems with the high school. I am pleased to report that temporary systems were put in place within a couple of weeks to ensure that the Kullik Elementary School could open. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize and extend thanks to all individuals who helped out during the fire, in particular, the volunteer firefighters and water truck operators who spent the evening, night and early morning fighting and containing the blaze. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of Cambridge Bay, I also wish to recognize and thank the many organizations, agencies and individuals throughout the NWT and Canada who have offered to assist the community after the fire. This tragic loss to the residents of Cambridge Bay has once again drawn the community closer together.
A number of community and government groups have come together to ensure that high school programs would be ready for the start of the school year, which began more or less on time in late August for high school students, and early September for elementary school students. These groups include the local education authority, the hamlet council, the management and staff of Killinik High, the divisional board, Nunavut Arctic College, and the GNWT through Education, Culture and Employment, and Public Works and Services staff. These groups got together to plan and put into place the necessary temporary classrooms and support facilities and supplies needed to get the high school programs up and running. Work is also fully underway for planning the new replacement facilities with a 1999 construction schedule to coincide with a 2000 school year opening. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
