Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny has put his concerns on the record over the cost of building the new East Three super school in Inuvik and Glen Abernethy is challenging his claims.

The public works minister is taking Dolynny to task over the figures released earlier this week in which Dolynny claims the cost to build the new school has hit $115 million, well over the original estimate.

Abernethy said he disagrees with Dolynny's math and that the budget was $115 million and there were no cost overruns as Dolynny had suggested.

"Once everything was done, all construction completed, landscaping done, furniture purchased and design money spent, we were about $9.5 million dollars under budget."

He said the savings are going toward the demolition of the two old schools and if the entire budget had been spent, more money would have been required and requested.

Abernethy also said Dolynny has had a chance to see how things have gone.

"We have offered the member a comprehensive briefing to sit down with staff so that we can go through the numbers with him."

Abernethy added the school was completed a year ahead of schedule.
 

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