GNWT and Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation mark the completion of modular classrooms in Colville Lake

Students in Colville Lake will be starting school this year with new modular classroom facilities. Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), in partnership with the Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation (BAFN), the Sahtu District Education Council (SDEC) and the Colville Lake District Education Authority, marked the official opening of these facilities with a ribbon-cutting at Colville Lake School. The new facilities will open for the 2026-27 school year, providing improved learning and working environments for students and teachers. The project adds two modular classroom units and one washroom module. These new modulars will address space limitations of the existing school, which is a 250-square-metre log building constructed in 1991 with a modular classroom added in 2006.

In recent years, younger students, including Junior Kindergarten students, have been accommodated in a small portable classroom adjacent to the school. The new modular facilities provide additional classroom capacity. They are designed to support the current student population of 51 students, based on September 2025 enrollment, and provide flexibility for future programming needs.

The completion of these modular facilities marks several years of collaboration and planning between the GNWT, BAFN, community leadership, school administration and the SDEC.

The modular school units will support the community’s education needs while planning continues for the construction of a new school. A work plan was signed earlier this year, which outlines timelines and key milestones as the permanent school’s building process progresses. Since that signing, the project steering committee, composed of representatives from the GNWT and BAFN, selected the site of the new school building, located on the decommissioned airport runway, overlooking the community. In June, a Community Engagement Meeting provided feedback and input on community needs, including discussions on design, cultural inclusions, layouts and example concepts. This was an important step in the work plan, as is the Request for Proposal (RFP) for architectural and engineering services, which is on schedule to be issued late summer. The new school is being planned to accommodate 75 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Quotes:

“Every student in the Northwest Territories deserves quality educational facilities, no matter where they live. Safe, welcoming and functional learning spaces are crucial parts of student success. Today, we made an important step in delivering that to the students, families, educators and community members of Colville Lake. These modular school units strengthen learning opportunities now, while we continue to make good progress with Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation in the planning and construction of Colville Lake’s new, permanent school.

– Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

“Delivering and installing these modular units in a remote community required significant planning, coordination and perseverance. This project demonstrates what can be achieved when governments and communities work together to overcome northern construction and transportation challenges. It’s great to see these new learning spaces ready to serve students for the upcoming school year.”

– Vince McKay, Minister of Infrastructure

“Today is an important milestone for Colville Lake and our students. We are pleased to see these new modular classrooms ready for the school year, providing additional space and a better learning environment for our children and educators. While these modular units are an important interim solution, our community remains focused on the long-term goal of a new permanent school. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the GNWT as we move that work forward together.”
– Richard Kochon , Chief of Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation

“Today is a good day for Colville Lake and a credit to the years of advocacy and persistence from Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation, families, educators and everyone who kept this project moving forward. With these modular units now in place, students can focus on their studies in a modern facility here in their own community. This is meaningful progress, but it is not the finish line. As MLA for the Sahtu, I will continue working with the community and the GNWT to keep the permanent school moving forward so Colville Lake students have the school they have waited for and deserve.”

– Danny McNeely, MLA for Sahtu

Quick Facts

The project includes two modular classroom units and one washroom module.
The modular facilities support the current school population of 51 students.
The existing school consists of a 250-square-metre log building built in 1991 and a modular classroom added in 2006.
Major site preparation for the modular classrooms was completed in 2025, with final preparation completed in summer 2026.
The modular units were delivered to Colville Lake during the March 2026 winter road season.
A new permanent school for Colville Lake is currently in the planning and design phase. A work plan is in place, with the site selection milestone completed, community engagement progressing and a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architectural and Engineering services planned for issue by late summer 2026.
The replacement school is being planned to accommodate 75 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Related links:

For media request, please contact:
Agata Gutkowska
Manager, Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
agata_gutkowska@gov.nt.ca

Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca

Joseph Kochon
Senior Administrative Officer (SAO)
Behdzi Ahda' First Nation
joseph_kochon@behdziahda.net

You are here

GNWT and Behdzi Ahda’ First Nation mark the completion of modular classrooms in Colville Lake