Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 23/02) - The colour of the hallway at the Yellowknife airport terminal has many people poo-pooing decorative tastes.

Most of the airport is painted in soft, cool palettes such as blues, purples and greys, but the area near the cafeteria looks more like a fiery pathway to the bathrooms.

As of last week one wall was bright yellow and the other a deep brownish orange. The pumpkin colour crept all the way up the hall's wall to frame the opening to the airport cafeteria.

"It is to get people to know that, yes, this is part of the airport, and to brighten it up and draw people's attention down the hall," explained acting airport manager Leo Reedyk.

"We are getting mixed reviews," he added with a chuckle. "It will give people something to talk about."

As Gillian Burles wandered through the waiting area she commented on the bright, yellow hall.

"It is an odd choice to illustrate bathroom colours," she said.

The changes are the first step in a number of renovations that include restructuring the "bottleneck" portion of the pre-boarding and screening area.

Telephones will also be moved and upgraded to allow Internet access for laptop owners.

As for the orange and yellow colours adorning the hallway to the men's and women's bath rooms, flecks of blue and green will soon be added.

A passing airport employee may be glad about that. As she was passing by the hall she looked toward the corridor and wrinkled her nose.

"I wish it was more like this," she said waving toward the light purple and baby blue banners draped across the airport ceiling.

"It will still be bright though," Reedyk said.

The colours were recommended by an architectural firm about a year ago.