School gym ready to use again after renovations in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

Students in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.

, returned to a newly-renovated school on Tuesday morning. They were on an extended spring break to help staff move into their new spaces. It's all part of an ongoing project to improve the 35-year-old Mangilaluk school building.



The renovations include a new library, cultural room, gymnasium, kitchen and foyer space. It's only half of the work that will be done. The office and other classrooms are next to be upgraded.

The newly-built rooms are being used as temporary classrooms until the rest of the renovations are done. Principal Ephraim Warren said that's scheduled to happen over the next year and a half. Work underway at Mangilaluk school in January 2023.

(Jenna Dulewich/CBC) "I think everybody is excited. The high school is situated in the CTS building, so they have their own little hub. They're still part of our team but they are quite content where they are until we have our school that is finished," said Warren.

Community events like dances and feasts can now be held in the school gym. Students were able to use the gym by leaving the building and entering a different way, because the connecting hallway to the new foyer was not complete. Now access is available through the rest of the building and the public can use the space by booking it through the school office.

The school gym is the only gym in Tuktoyaktuk and one of few public spaces for recreation in the community. Charlotte Irish is a support assistant at the school who is excited to see the reactions of students. "We've been waiting a long time for that, for the community to come and join assemblies and everything in the gym," Irish said.

Charlotte Irish, a support assistant at the school, said people have been waiting a long time for the gym renovations to be complete. (Dez Loreen/CBC) "Yup, my son is excited to see his new class and we don't have to put our jackets on to go to the gym, so it's all exciting." Warren thanked the community for their understanding and support through the renovation process.

He said they'd be having "as many functions in the gym as possible." "Could be evening sports, could be community events — so we think the community is looking forward to it. The hamlet has always been very supportive and we're just all raring to go for this.

It's been a long time and here we are.".