To ensure lodge site not contaminated
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Gjoa Haven (Jun 04/01) - The Kitikmeot land claim group wants to ensure the land around a fishing lodge is uncontaminated before it discusses a new lease with people who want to re-open the business.
The president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association said an inspection of the land on which the Chantrey Inlet Lodge sits is expected to take place this summer.
"Before any lands are taken over, we have to ensure everything is in place and there are no contaminants," said Charlie Evalik, from his office in Cambridge Bay.
As dictated by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development were required to turn the land over to KIA when the lodge's lease expired last May.
"We don't want to take on any liabilities," said Evalik.
As for the fishing lodge, Evalik said KIA was open to the idea of leasing the land to a group of interested partners so they could re-open the business.
Dormant for the last decade, the business prospect could provide as many as 20 seasonal jobs and boost the region's sport hunting and fishing economy.
Baker Lake resident Boris Kotelewetz currently owns the buildings, boats and other facilities at Chantrey Inlet. Kotelewetz said he and his prospective partners were interested in getting a tourism business off the ground.
He also said he'd like to be part of the site inspection and was satisfied for the time being that KIA said they'd consider the business opportunity.
Kotelewetz was concerned last month because letters sent to KIA expressing interest in re-opening the lodge received no response.
