.E-mail This Article

Lodge future hangs in balance

Gjoa Haven tourism lodge put on hold

Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (May 07/01) - A fishing lodge near Gjoa Haven that could create dozens of jobs is on hold because of delays over a lease.

Boris Kotelewetz said he almost cancelled his plan to re-open the Chantrey Inlet fishing lodge when letters to the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) went unanswered in recent months.

Kotelewetz bought the lodge last year and his prospective partners sent several letters to KIA in February and March, but never received any sign of interest.

"It's like writing to a black hole," said Kotelewetz.

They need KIA to agree to lease them the land the lodge sits on.

The previous lease expired last year and under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the federal government will turn the land over to KIA.

Making progress

KIA contacted Kotelewetz late last month but made no commitment to lease the land to the lodge. "I'm concerned about how serious these people are about creating jobs and opening a business," he said.

Kotelewetz said that he learned through Carl McLean, manager of lands administration for DIAND, that KIA has agreed to a joint inspection of the land this summer before they accept title.

"It makes sure we're not transferring contaminated land. It's good land management practice," said McLean, from his office in Iqaluit.

Economic benefits

KIA comptroller Clare Basler said while significant details still need to be worked out, the organization is interested in working with the lodge proponents "if it's a viable proposal,"

Kotelewetz said the lodge would attract anglers looking to catch and release world-class char and provide work for residents of Gjoa Haven and possibly Baker Lake.

"This could create a lot of work for people -- construction, airstrip, employment for the guides," said Kotelewetz.

"We haven't even touched on the kinds of programs we'd like to run ... there's muskox hunting in that area," he said.

Rick Phaneuf, the general manager of the Gjoa Haven Development Corporation -- a potential partner in the project -- said the lodge could create more than 25 seasonal jobs and bring more than $250,000 a year into the Kitikmeot hamlet.

"We can fill that lodge with people who want to come North to fish."