Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 08/02) - Iqaluit city council will wait for police feedback before letting an arcade owner extend his business hours.

Andrew Riendeau wants to keep the Player's Arcade, across from the Legion, open until 2 a.m. on weekends and holidays. He's willing to bar children under 13 from the arcade after 10 p.m.

The city held a public hearing last Tuesday.

"What I'm asking for isn't too much," said Riendeau. "We're a big city now and we've got to change with the times."

Just one resident came to the meeting: Mike Hine, who supported the business.

"I'm a parent. If my kids aren't home by 10 p.m. I'm looking for them. That's a parental issue. I don't see it as a businessperson's issue."

Hine admitted he helped Andrew Riendeau get his business off the ground but insisted he was speaking "as a private citizen," he insisted.

Ookalik Curley, the city's deputy senior administrative officer, received one call from a woman upset about the arcade.

"She was concerned about age limits. She said there were young people underage who weren't checked when they came in," said Curley.

Iqaluit RCMP Sgt. Mike Jeffrey told city council he could research if the arcade has a negative impact on the community.

Coun. Lynda Gunn asked council to wait for Jeffrey's report before giving the new bylaw third reading.

Coun. Chris Wilson objected. "It's a legitimate business. If it opens a couple hours later, it won't result in a crime spree."

However, councillors voted 3-2 in favour of waiting for Jeffrey's comments.