Iqaluit (Mar 31/03) - The Iqaluit Community Greenhouse Society has been quietly working away at its goal since forming in June 2001.

Although members said they don't expect the community greenhouse to open before 2005, they want to assure residents that it's coming.

"It all takes time. We have to apply for sites and funding. We just have to keep pushing along," said member Alison Lee, a founding member of the greenhouse society.

She said she grew up with an English garden and that once a person gets into growing things, it's very hard to stop.

The work on the project began in 2001 when the society made a presentation to the City of Iqaluit. With the support of city council a consultant was hired to complete a feasibility study. Phase one of the study, which looked at potential users, size, location and energy requirements, was completed last year.

Phase two is now underway. It will examine funding sources, cost analysis and the determination of a site.

The inspiration for Iqaluit's community greenhouse project came from Inuvik where residents took over an old arena and turned it into a garden for everybody.

"We're looking at other gardening experiences in the North and trying to learn from that," said Iqaluit society member Fran Carter.

For Carter, a community garden will be more than just a place to grow vegetables.

"I see a garden as a place to draw the community together and for generations to connect. I see it as a place to display art. It's really a community building project," Carter explained.

She joined the greenhouse society in September 2001, as soon as she arrived in Iqaluit.

To learn more, Carter and member Tanya Smith were invited to attend the Learning from the Voices of the Soil Conference in Edmonton earlier this month. Their trip was sponsored by Environment Canada's Community Programs.

To get things started, the greenhouse society is organizing a plant swap at the Arctic College staff lounge on April 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.