Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring accolades to a wonderful initiative established by a very dedicated group of parents in Hay River, that being the new Hay River playschool building. The new building has been the dream of many parents in Hay River for several years.

Mr. Speaker, the building that the playschool had previously been housed in was built back in the 1950s and the playschool took occupancy in 1993. By 1999, through a number of fundraising initiatives, the playschool managed to pay off the mortgage and even accumulate a sizable building fund. This was no small feat, Mr. Speaker. Due to the extremely poor condition of the building by year 2000 or so, the playschool executive knew that something had to be done with the building. In looking at the amount of renovation that it would take to bring the building up to standard, it was determined that their only option was to build a new building.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity, once again, to thank the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation for the donations of two Housing Corporation lots in Hay River to the playschool. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that as I speak, the floor is being laid in the new playschool building, the electrical, heating, mechanical and carpentry finishing will commence within the next couple of days. The final inspection on the building is scheduled for March 31st and it is the playschool's hope that they can move into their new building over the spring break in April. Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that a tremendous amount of work has been done over several years by the parents, volunteers, towards this very worthwhile project.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize these parents. The members of the past building committee were Candy Carlton, Kathy Sperry, Ron Tordiff, Donna Dean, Leanne McLeod, Heather Desautels and Robert Fraser. Mr. Speaker, the current board building committee members are Louise Schumann, who is the building committee chairperson, Melanie Carter, Tracey Hill, Laurie Fraser and Rhonda Latimer, who is the playschool coordinator and also a teacher at the playschool. Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating the parents of the Hay River playschool on a job well done.

---Applause