Upgrades will mean over 100 jobs, company says
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
NNSL (Jan 11/99) - The North West Company will invest $7.5 million in its operations in Iqaluit and Arviat, the company announced.
"We are proud of the fact that in addition to the construction benefits represented by our investment in Nunavut, these new expanded stores represent 114 new, permanent jobs," North West Company president and CEO Edward Kennedy said.
In Nunavut's capital, the North West Company will spend $4.5 million to double the size of its current food store.
More space will be created for fresh produce, meat, bakery and deli departments.
Additional space will be provided for a bigger selection of health products as well as larger value-pack sized items. There will also be more space for financial services.
As part of the expansion, the North West Company location will include a Quickstop restaurant with seating for 50 people and featuring KFC, Subshop and Baker Street pastries and coffee.
To improve access, a new enclosed parking lot serviced by an elevator will be constructed beneath the existing building.
The Iqaluit project will start this spring and is to be completed before the end of December.
In Arviat, the North West Company will spend $3.5 million. The company's move will more than double the space at its Keewatin community store.
As well as more space for fresh produce and grocery, new services will include a fresh meat shop, bakery and Quickstop restaurant with seating for 42 people. The Quickstop will feature the same lines of foods as are planned in Iqaluit.
Completion date for the Arviat project is not yet finalized but is expected to be no later than fall 2000.
"Nunavut is one of the most dynamic regions of Canada," Kennedy said.
"These two projects will increase our investment in Nunavut to nearly $30 million over the last five years."
"Iqaluit and Arviat will soon join our family of new and expanded stores in Baker Lake Broughton Island, Cambridge Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Gjoa Haven, Pangnirtung, and most recently Rankin Inlet," he said.
The North West Company is Nunavut's largest private employer with a local workforce of 625 people.
The North West Company recently sold its Trading Post store in Yellowknife.
