Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( May 31/00) - The Wildcat Cafe is geared up for a June 2 opening, but some minor details still need to be addressed.

Now that the Old Stope Association has received $20,000 from the city, its volunteers are getting ready to put some muscle into preparing the restaurant for another season.

Steven Fancott, member of the Old Stope Association's board of directors, said minor fix-ups that need to be done involve refinishing the floor, minor carpentry work and routine maintenance on the kitchen propane system and walk-in freezer.

Fancott said the reimbursement from the city was for moving the Mission building (located at the rear of the Wildcat Cafe), building a deck so customers can eat outside, and the purchase of a walk-in freezer last year, which had a price tag of approximately $10,000.

"We're pretty well all set to go," Fancott said.

The operation of the Wildcat Cafe will be discussed during the annual general meeting on May 30 at the cafe. The election of the Old Stope Association's board of directors will also occur at that time.

Fancott said some changes will be in effect this year as well. The cafe will be open for dinner this year, but will no longer be open for breakfast.

"People should watch for announcements about the hours because they will be reduced from last year.

"We're also going to be doing more of a basic country food approach to the menu and maybe we'll be able to offer better prices ... but that will depend on our suppliers," he said.

Fancott said all the details of this year's operations will be finalized at the annual general meeting.