Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 21/02) - The City of Iqaluit presented a draft of its long-range general plan to the public earlier this month.

Although residents say it's a big improvement on the last plan adopted in 1996, it still needs some work.

The plan will guide development in the city up until the year 2022. It's estimated that Iqaluit's population will grow to between 10,000 and 12,000 by then.

One common concern voiced at the Oct. 8-10 consultations was the future location of the legislative assembly.

"In every jurisdiction in this country and in North America people are getting away from a downtown core. We have to think outside the box. This is Nunavut. This is a Northern capital," said Health Minister Ed Picco at an open house on the plan last Wednesday.

Many people agreed. Residents said they want the legislative assembly out of the downtown core and somewhere with a nice view of the bay or of the land.

The existing legislative assembly was built in 1999 and was leased to the government for 20 years. However, the building may have to be replaced sooner because staff are running out of space.

Another issue of concern was the downtown core itself. Jay Redfern wanted to know if it's really benefitting the city.

"We can't walk in it, we can't park in it and there's traffic," he said.

Parking spaces a problem

The concern is obvious. Many establishments in Iqaluit will soon find themselves without enough parking spaces if they haven't already. At the same time, pedestrians in the city are concerned for their own safety. The plan suggests things like widening streets so that sidewalks can be put in, but the public wants more assurances this will happen.

"The more infills occur, the more the city needs to make sure urban planning occurs," said councillor Irving.

"Landscaping and sidewalks have to be developed when we do the infill. It can't be left to happen somewhere down the line."

Implementing the ideas in the general plan will take a long time.

The city accepted written comments up until last Wednesday.

The plan is now being reviewed.

A final document will go to council in late November for a first reading.

Irving said the General Plan probably won't become law until late February.