Has it ever been a long time since I blogged. I think the last entry was sometime in May. So much has happened since then.
The best thing by far is how far along they have got on the construction. For those of you not aware of this, the Department of Education is in the process of expanding and renovating our school. The project will probably come in at around $20 million dollars by the time it is turned over to us. There has been a few hiccups so far such as late boats, over zealous replacement job supervisors, and plumbing trouble but all in all everything has gone quite well. Kudlik, the general contractor, is doing a fine job and once I got put in my place regarding who I take construction concerns too, things have moved along quite swimmingly.
The project itself was going to be done in 2 major phases. The first was to be the extension which is comprised mostly of a gymnasium and a few classrooms around it. This was to be completed by the end of November and then the construction crew would come back in February and start renovating the existing structure. This was well understood by all involved in June when we were starting our summer break. When I returned in mid-August half the school was torn apart because an over-zealous replacement supervisor came in and started to panic. When all was said and done I now have 5 classrooms with temporary lighting and no flooring because the product has yet to arrive on the sealift. This should begin to be rectified by next week as our last boat is on its way to Cape Dorset. These delays are in no way the fault of the contractor but none the less, Louis, the main job supervisor feels extremely bad about it. He is a very hard working man and does his job quite well. He makes promises based on what other people, like shipping companies, promise him. Because of the late boat there is a possibility that the plumbers will be delayed getting heat to the new part. If this is the case we probably won't get the piece turned over to us until next fall as the plumbing company doesn't want to assume liability if something happens and there is a major freeze up.
All in all though a very fine job and it will look fabulous when it is completed.
The other big news here is water news. The Hamlet has at its disposal normally three water trucks, but early September or late August one burned which left them down to two. This stressed out the delivery system some what but once they got on a schedule everything seemed to be working out fine. Then another water truck broke down and they are now unable to repair it. My sympathies go out to the drivers because they are now working night and day not to catch up but just to keep from falling so far behind. Some people have been without water for days. Eventually they get some. I can't say the same for us here at the school. I could pick up the phone this morning and have 4000 litres delivered in at the most a half an hour. They are extremely good in that regard. This is my fourth year in Cape Dorset and always the big questions everyday were, Did the planes come in? I wonder if so and so got in? Now all these questions have been replaced by, Do you have any water? It really makes me start to think how some of these people in third world countries live. I, personally, have been very lucky as our unit has only run out of water once and only for a half hour or so.
Earlier this week I arrived at school facing the circumstance of not having any water. Because I am the first to arrive I usually put the coffee and tea on. When the staff found out there was no water they wondered how coffee and tea was made, I told them I just went out side and got some snow and melted it. They were none too impressed. These water woes will continue for another week until a new water truck arrives on the sealift.
I will try and put up some pictures of the construction if I get the chance.
Cheers
