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New Health and Wellness Centre Coming to Old Crow

Thursday, 28 March 2019 15:46

Photo courtesy of Yukon Info

Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost said in the Legislature today that $750,000 will be invested towards the planning of the project.

Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost said in the Legislature today that $750,000 will be invested towards the planning of a new health and wellness centre in Old Crow.

Frost  says the project will start in 2020 after land availability for the facility is confirmed.

"The planning for this facility has already begun. Senior officials have traveled to Old Crow to meet with the First Nations officials and tour the community so that they could gain better understanding of the needs of the community. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has identified land that can be used for the new building. We will continue to work with them to determine the exact land requirements for the new health and wellness centre."

Frost also said a winter road would be constructed in the vicinity of the project, also helping to support other future infrastructure project in Old Crow.

"To help facilitate this project, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation will receive funding from the Government of Yukon to construct a winter road in 2021.  The construction of a winter road will align with various Yukon Government projects, including the health and wellness centre. (It)  will also support the community in advancing other construction projects in Old Crow."

NDP MLA Kate White questioned the costs of the project after all the materials for the facility were shipped in.

"We have questions as to whether or not materials will need to shipped by air and what are the expected costs of that shipping. If so, would those costs merit the earlier construction of the winter road, perhaps to January of 2020."

Frost says snowplows are being used in partnership with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation to start in the construction of the project.

Frost says the new facility will also support accommodation for visiting dentists and therapists.

Approximately 250 people live in Old Crow and the community is located in northwestern Yukon.

 

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