Inuvik, N.W.T., says farewell to two schools

People in Inuvik, N.W.T., are saying goodbye to two of the community’s oldest buildings this weekend.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and Samuel Hearne Secondary School will close at the end of this school year, to be replaced by one new "super school" in the fall.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie opened in September 1959; Samuel Hearne opened in 1969.

The new school cost $110 million and will be called "East 3" after the town's old government-assigned name.

"Safety-wise, I am glad we're moving because the building, she is getting old now," said Sandra Ipana, who has been teaching at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school for 21 years.

"I feel safety issues are going to be arising in the next few years. I don't play any running games anymore. The floor is too move-y."

On Saturday night the primary school will host an old-time dance, with music from the 1950s and 1960s.