The Yukon government announced the cancellation of the tender for the much-anticipated Whistle Bend Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.

“The tender was posted as part of the project process,” said Oshea Jephson of the Department of Highways and Public Works.

“However, once the department realized there wasn’t enough consultation with all stakeholders, the decision was made to pull the tender.

“Building the Whistle Bend school is a high priority for our government, and it’s going to shape the community for years to come, and we need to take the time now to get it right.”

There is no indication when the tender will be reissued.

The school was slated to be the first new local elementary school built in 25 years.

Last March, Premier Sandy Silver announced a $1.6-million planning budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The entire project was expected to cost more than $25 million, with a completion date of 2024.

The 410-page tender, released Wednesday, was revoked barely 24 hours later.

The school has been long-awaited by Whistle Bend residents, who are living in the fastest-growing subdivision in the city.

According to the Yukon population census, Whistle Bend has doubled in size in the past three years. It currently boasts a population of nearly 1,000 residents.

Currently, Whistle Bend children are commuting to elementary schools in nearby neighbourhoods.

Last fall, residents held a small rally showing support for the construction of the school.

Katherine Williams is the president of the Whistle Bend Community Association.

She told the Star Thursday evening that a subcommittee of neighbours had been looking forward to the creation of a school project committee. They had provided Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee with suggestions for engagement.

“The subsequent cancellation of the tender certainly leaves us with many unanswered questions,” Williams said.

“We look forward to receiving clear communication from the minister on the status of the project and future plans.”

Williams added that she hopes community engagement will “continue to be a priority” for the Department of Education.

Official Opposition House Leader Scott Kent told the Star Thursday afternoon he was “not surprised” by the abrupt tender cancellation.

“The minister of Education has had delays (before),” Kent said.

He was referencing a long-standing dispute over portables needed at Golden Horn Elementary School in the city’s south end. 

“They need to get their act together and they need to deal with this, and consult properly,” Kent said.

Madison Pearson, the Yukon Party’s press secretary, said the party wants to see the results of the consultation promised with First Nation governments and the City of Whitehorse in the legislative assembly last April.

The Yukon Party filed a motion to create a Whistle Bend school council “ahead of conception,” of the school, a move that Kent believes is increasingly necessary to ensuring the now-delayed project runs smoothly.

“Obviously, they’ve dropped the ball on consultation with groups in this area. It’s quite disappointing,” Kent said.

The Star contacted the cabinet offices Thursday afternoon seeking comment from McPhee, but was referred back to Jephson.

A call to the Department of Education for comment on the ramifications of the tender delay was met with the same result.