Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Sep 20/99) - When it comes to construction, Canada's newest capital is booming.

"We think there is going to be fundamental growth within the community of Iqaluit," said Nunastar Properties president Doug Cox. Private company Nunastar Properties owns the Astro Hill Properties, which includes the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit. Grandfield Pacific operates the Frobisher for Nunastar.

That growth includes a substantial increase in jobs in the community and more business travel, he adds.

"There is also a substantial opportunity for more tourist travel."

To cope with the growing demand, Nunastar is adding two floors to the Frobisher.

The move will double the number of the hotel's rooms. Ten of the new 50 rooms will be larger suites.

Some of the new rooms will come with kitchens.

The addition is expected to be completed by the end of 1999.

In all, Cox said Nunastar is spending over $5 million on the property this year. As well as the two new floors, the company will work on the Astro Mall as well.

Cox said the upgrade will allow the Frobisher to "market more effectively to the conference market."

Another company with extensive real estate holdings and activity in Iqaluit is Calgary-based Urbco Inc.

Urbco is building an executive suite complex and is anticipating a February completion with opening in March for the three-storey, 40-room, 4,723 square metre complex. Half the rooms will be apartments. The other half will be available for longer stays.

"A number of people seek longer term accommodation," Urbco president Jim Britton said.

Building cost is estimated at $7 million to $8 million ($138 to $157 a square foot).

Urbco subsidiary Ninety North Construction and Development Ltd. is the builder.

Earlier this year, Nunavut Construction Corp. president Tagak Curley said the company will combine two years of construction activity into one.

NCC is the developer responsible for constructing additional offices and staff housing required by the new Nunavut government.

For the 1999-2000 construction program, Curley estimates the budget at about $50 million. The 1998-99 budget was about two-thirds that amount, he said.

NCC's largest project is Iqaluit's new legislature, estimated to cost about $11 million.

"Year three (1999-2000) will be the biggest. For year three we will proceed to build 104 residential units and seven office complexes," Curley said.

In all, NCC will build 250 residential units and 10 office complexes in 11 Nunavut communities (Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven in the Kitikmeot; Arviat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet in the Kivalliq, and Iqaluit, Cape Codon, Iglulik, Pond Inlet and Pangnirtung in the Baffin).

In the first year of what is now a three-year program, NCC completed 66 residential units.

In the second year (1998-99), NCC completed an additional 80 housing units by the end of February 1999. These 80 units were started in July 1998.

By the end of April, 1999, NCC will have completed three office complexes -- one each in Iqaluit, Arviat and Kugluktuk.

"We've built a strong local workforce."

Measured by community, work in Rankin is completed with Kugluktuk next to be finished, once its office complex is done.

NCC deals with about 80 contractors. As well, there are numerous subcontractors.

At its peak so far, NCC employed about 280 people last summer. This summer, Curley said staff numbers will likely reach over 300 people.

"The majority are Northern, many are Inuit. The local employment (level) on all these projects is 75 per cent."

NCC also has a significant apprenticeship program. Last year, Curley said about 20 people were apprenticing with NCC.

These apprentices are now studying in the classroom and once they complete the academic requirements they will be added to NCC's payroll.