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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The historic Wildcat Cafe should soon be reopening for business, says Mayor Gord Van Tighem, but more than two months past its usual opening date.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem stands outside the Wildcat Cafe, currently undergoing renovations, on Tuesday. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

The mayor said the restaurant should be open by the end of the month and, while advance bookings are not being accepted, work seems to be progressing. Last month, deputy mayor put the opening date at mid-July.

"I'm supposed to be having lunch with the motorcycle club (NWT Riders Association) on July 28 and we can't book here, but it's scheduled for completion by the end of the month," said Van Tighem.

"Right now they're installing the kitchen, plumbing, electrical, ice cream bin and ice cream store."

Since the renovations began in 2011, the budget has increased to $525,000 from $496,000.

The budget hasn't gone up from the $525,000 and isn't expected to do so.

"It's always been on budget," said Van Tighem. "The budget just got bigger."

Originally scheduled to open in May, work was delayed when the foundation had to be redone, and again when asbestos was discovered around the kitchen equipment.

Contractor Rick Muyres had to change his plans for a concrete foundation to a steel foundation after discovering silt under the 75-year-old Old Town building, which is being refurbished with funding from the city.

The windows were being installed on Tuesday, something the mayor said is a good sign.

"They don't put windows in until the building is close to finished," said Van Tighem.

The mayor goes past the building every day and said he's seen people working on it seven days a week.

"They have a replica of it in Ottawa, but it's a mirror image," said Van Tighem. "The first time I stepped inside I tripped because the floor was level, it will probably happen again once it's open."

Chef Luke Wood, owner of Thornton's restaurant, won the contract to operate the restaurant for 2012 and 2013. He had previously told the Yellowknifer he was planning on offering homestyle cooking for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, with breakfast added on weekends.

He said the plans are still the same and is waiting to be given the go ahead from the city.

"It looks really good in there right now," said Wood. "It's better to do a good job than to rush it just to get it open."

Wood said he's not disappointed with the delayed opening and is ready to start preparing for the opening as soon as he's notified.

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