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HUB NEWS BRIEFS: Woodland Manor work nearing end

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The Department of Infrastructure expects the expansion project at Woodland Manor will be complete by mid-April at which time it will hand over the keys to the addition to the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority.

A spokesperson for the department said it will take some time afterwards for the addition to become operational.

The completion of the project had originally been expected by Dec. 31 of last year and was then pushed to March to correct some deficiencies.

The $6.3-million project, which began in August of 2016, is a joint venture of Arctic Canada Construction Ltd. and the Hay River Metis Government Council.

The expansion is to accommodate 10 long-term care beds in the old H.H. Williams Hospital.

Woodland Manor currently has 15 long-term care beds.

Skating helmets recommended

The Hay River Recreation Committee has recommended to town council that all users of the new ice rink wear helmets.

The committee also recommended, in a report to a special meeting of council on April 3, that helmets be made available for users to borrow.

Judy Goucher, the senior administrative officer with the town, said the use of helmets is being strongly recommended.

"So at no cost you can stop at the front desk and grab a helmet and use it while you're out there enjoying the ice time," she said. "This is more for public skates and things like that. Obviously, hockey teams wear full gear, including helmets."

Goucher said the town is not absolutely requiring that helmets be worn.

Mandatory use of helmets will be considered in the fall when the town will look at how other jurisdictions deal with the issue.

Premier shuffles territorial cabinet

Premier Bob McLeod shuffled the territorial cabinet on April 4.

The main change said Caroline Cochrane and Alfred Moses traded cabinet posts.

Cochrane assumed responsibility for Education, Culture and Employment, while Moses becomes the minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Moses was also made responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Homelessness, and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission of the NWT and Nunavut.

Robert C. McLeod was given responsibility for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.