DAWSON CITY – Monday almost marked a homecoming for Yukon College.

The new Dawson campus was officially opened right beside, and linked internally to, the building it once called home – today's Yukon School of Visual Arts (SOVA).

When the former condemned Territorial Building was rejuvenated into its current form as the Yukon SOVA, one exterior wall was left unfinished and sheathed in Tyvek housewrap.

It served as a reminder to who ever in government might happen to see it that there was something missing from Dawson's educational scene. 

That something was a permanent home for the Dawson campus of Yukon College, which has been located in five different places since its beginnings back in the early 1980s.

Education Minister Patrick Rouble probably summed up the mood for the crowd on the deck which links the entrances to the two schools .

"Folks, I can't think of anything more optimistic than opening a school. Does this feel good, or what?”

These comments were met with whoops of approval and applause by the 50 plus people crowding the deck.

"It's a symbol. It's a testament. It's a promise to the future. It's a promise to the kids in our community for generations to come,” he added, nodding in the direction of the Grade 9 class from Robert Service School, which had come to take in the event, "that they'll have a place to learn, to grow and to get hold of all the skills that they need to be involved as meaningful partners in our community.”

The number of platform guests showed how important the day was to the community, said newly minted college president Karen Barnes.

"A solid education is a key component of fulfilling a happy life,” Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Chief Eddie Taylor told the crowd.

"The new Dawson City Yukon College Campus ensures our students will no longer have to leave their homes to better themselves through instruction.

"Yukon College has played a large role in helping First Nations citizens realize their post-secondary dreams. This facility is a real display of Yukon College's commitment to our community.”

Yukon Senator Dan Lang, himself a former minister of Education and college board member, said this building had been a long time coming, and outlined the part that the federal Economic Action Plan has played in its realization.

Lang noted that Klondike MLA Steve Nordick had been relentless in pursuing funding for this project once the economic program was announced.

Former college president Terry Weninger was also cited for his support of this project, along with Clarence Timmins, the chair of the college's board of directors.

"We are very fortunate in the Yukon,” Lang said. ‘We have these facilities that we can provide the training for our people so we can take advantage of the opportunities that are in our back yard.”

In closing, Lang congratulated the people of Dawson, the college and the territorial government on a job well done in terms of finding good projects for the federal largesse and completing them successfully.

Barnes closed the formal speeches with thanks to the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in, YTG, the City of Dawson and the Dawson campus staff. 

She especially thanked the staff for "putting up with some ‘interesting' space for the last few years. I'm sure you are looking forward to moving into this beautiful new building.”

Barnes said the Dawson campus has been handicapped in its range of offerings by space limitations for a number of years, but now looked forward to being a full partner in the provision of quality educational experiences in the community along with the Robert Service School and Yukon SOVA.

"With this new facility, we anticipate new opportunities to arise in the delivery of Yukon College current and customized training in a multitude of areas, including tourism training, mine training, and heritage and culture training, just to begin,” said Barnes.

Following the speeches, eight people crowded behind the red ribbon, flanking college student, Majida Lord, who wielded the big golden scissors to cut the ribbon.

When all of this had been accomplished, the doors were thrown open for tours of the new rooms, along with coffee and snacks.  The Grade 9 class was given a special tour by campus co-ordinator Lue Maxwell. 

The new building is 5,678 square feet, three times the size allotted to the campus in the past.

There are three classrooms and a dedicated computer lab, video conferencing facilities and offices for staff and administration. It links to the SOVA building by connecting hallways and a large front deck. 

On this same junket up the North Klondike Highway, a new college campus was also opened in Pelly Crossing. It's located beside the existing Eliza Van Bibber School, and not far from the Selkirk First Nation's government building. The 2,510-square-foot campus has classroom space, a video conferencing facility and a computer lab. 

Between the two projects, the federal government contributed $2 million, with the Yukon government adding $2.56 million and the college itself contributing $300,000.

"Our government's investment in post-secondary infrastructure has given Yukon College students and researchers the facilities they need to be global leaders in their

fields,” said Yukon MP Ryan Leef, who attended the Pelly Crossing event.

"This project will allow the Yukon College Community Campus in Pelly Crossing to strengthen its capacity and build on its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning.”

By Dan Davidson

Star Correspondent