Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join my colleagues Ms. Bisaro and Ms. Lee today and speak about Aven Cottages Territorial Dementia Facility that will officially open tomorrow, February 19th .

I believe the facility is very strong proof of what is possible when people are willing to work together. The facility has been talked about for many years and is finally on the verge of its opening, which is very exciting for the city of Yellowknife and this Territory.

The facility will be a great asset in the services this Territory has to offer seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This territorial facility will have 28 beds and be located directly behind Aven Manor. It will include four respite beds and will also accommodate a day program.

The building was also constructed through a partnership between Diavik Diamond Mines and Nahanni Construction. I’d like to thank both of those companies for their efforts in building this facility.

Aven Cottages Territorial Dementia Facility would never have been possible were it not for the vision of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, or YACCS as they are known. I want to thank the present YACCS board and all that have come before them for the work and effort they have made to make this facility a reality. I’d like to make special mention of the very first president of YACCS, Ms. Barb Bromley, whose dream it was to get this specialized facility located in the North.

In addition to the YACCS board I want to also mention the great work being done by a constituent of mine, Mr. Greg Debogorski, who is the executive director of YACCS. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Department of Health and Social Services and Minister Lee for the capital dollars required to construct the facility and their ongoing support to operate and maintain the facility.

The facility officially opens tomorrow, February 19th ,

and I would like to encourage everyone to come out and see the facility for themselves. In closing, I again want to thank all those involved in providing their efforts in getting this specialized piece of health care infrastructure here in the Northwest Territories.