Iqaluit (July 28/03) - Iqaluit will need a new cemetery by 2004, but the location remains in question.

"We are down to two sites, on Apex Road and on the Road to Nowhere," Chrystal Fuller, director of planning and lands, said in a recent interview.

"The Apex Road site is presenting some challenges which may make it difficult to develop a cemetery in this location," Fuller said in a report to city council last week.

Problems include heavy traffic, large boulders, permafrost levels, drainage and existing walking trails.

Test pitting at the Road to Nowhere site is expected to take place before the beginning of August.

The main problem with the Road to Nowhere site is the lack of a road. The city has budgeted $200,000 for the cemetery, and a new road would add to the cost.

"That would exceed the current budget and require extra resources in public works," said Fuller in her report. The major issue for both sites is soil coverage.

"We need to know the depth we can go to. If there is bedrock 12 inches below the ground, we can't easily build a cemetery," Fuller said.

The city hopes to have a final site selected by the end of September.

"Site design, including parking and landscaping will come afterwards," said Fuller.