Two major projects were completed in Whitehorse during the past year, Glenn Harris, construction committee chairman reported to the annual meeting of Whitehorse Board of Trade last week. In addition many other jobs were wound up and others started.
The two big jobs were the new power development on the Yukon River and the general hospital.
The territorial government last year had a busy season, undertaking a four room school in Elsa, two room school at Haines Junction, one room addition in Watson Lake, seven room school at Dawson City and an eight room school in Riverdale which is nearing completion at present.
Work at the Experimental farm consisted of three buildings now under construction and two completed early in the year. "These buildings will make quite an improvement, as this program continues the department of agriculture will have an up-to-date appearance at Mile 1019," Mr. Harris remarked.
An 86 x 300 foot all metal building was completed at the foot of the Two Mile Hill and came into service as an army garage. On the Haines Road the customs department at Pleasant Camp received an office building and residence which will be in use when the road opens. Two new detachments were constructed by the RCMP last year, one at Watson Lake and one in Mayo - the previous year one in Dawson City and one in Teslin, the
construction man reported.
The Whitehorse federal building received a good-sized addition to the post office, enclosing the loading area between the garage and the main building.
Work proceeded all winter long on fish ladders to the power development contract and completion is expected soon.
Centre Improvement
"The city of Whitehorse made a great improvement to the civic centre with the area getting a concrete floor and a one-story dressing room, lunch counter, large waiting room and washroom facilities," Mr. Harris commented.
"A new United Church on Sixth and Main was completed last year and I must say this is a very fine structure. A new Baptist Church is now under construction on Second Avenue, also, commencing this week, is the new Sacred Heart Church on the corner of Fourth and Steele," he said.
The territorial government put a good-sized extension to the garage at the bottom of the Two Mile Hill during the past season.
Contract for the RC and Protestant Hostels, one staff house and superintendent's residence was awarded April 1. Clearing commenced immediately on the 14 acres and excavation and site grading is well underway. This project is schedule for completion next spring and provides a considerable amount of employment for next winter, Mr. Harris pointed out.
The Carmacks bridge steel is now across the river with the concrete deck left to pour when weather permits. The bridge is scheduled to open around July 10. Bridges across the Pelly and Stewart rivers will be awarded shortly with construction to continue all winter.
Bailey Bridges
A Bailey bridge is under construction over the Nordenskiold River at Carmacks. The Ogilvie bridge on the Dawson road was knocked cut this spring and a Bailey now replaces it. Another Bailey bridge, at Mile 0 on the Fort Macpherson Road, is now
being built.
Late last fall a contract for clearing 45 miles on this road was let with work proceeding all winter. Heavy equipment is now on the site and construction is ready to start as soon as weather permits.
The territorial government reconstructed the Canol Road from Johnson's Crossing to Ross River last year and also completed about 75 per cent of the Dawson-Stewart section along Flat Creek. The Whitehorse-Keno road received considerable reconstruction, approximately 40 miles of Elsa-Mayo road was also completed last year, Mr. Harris said.
A bridge across the Tatchun River was constructed 14 miles north of Carmacks.
Propane Building
In Whitehorse Yukon Propane built a very fine building and Bob Lynn of Yukon Drug moved into a new building on Main after being burned out of the old Elks building.
Mr. Harris noted a good-sized contract for Gym, chapel and boiler house was awarded last fall for the Indian residential school at Lower Post with work proceeding all winter long and completion scheduled for July this year.
Tenders are now called for a duplex for the Indian affairs department at Carcross.
During the past season DOT, army and RCAF have maintained a number of construction men. Well underway at Haines Junction is the separation plant being constructed by Alaska-Yukon.
Summing it up, the speaker said, "The Yukon has enjoyed a considerable amount of employment in the above construction and the prospects look promising for the coming year."
