Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Aug 27/01) - Kudlik Construction's dynamite destruction project is on hold after two explosions rocked Iqaluit.

City engineer Matthew Hough said the Aug. 22 blasts, which occurred 15 minutes apart, were bigger than anticipated. One federal government building was evacuated in response to fears of a natural disaster.

Gilles Simard of Kudlik Construction agrees with the city's recommendation to halt blasting. - Kirsten Murphy/NNSL photo

"It was too big of an explosion for the public and for the asphalt plant," Hough said.

Hough added that he feared the asphalt plant 500 metres from the site on the East 40 Road might be at risk. The plant houses a 6,000-litre vat of boiling oil.

"I'm not saying Kudlik did anything wrong or illegal. It just wasn't what were expecting," Hough said.

Kudlik Construction is destroying 2,500 kilograms of expired dynamite, according to federal regulations, about five kilometres from the city.

Instead of firing off 75-kilogram dynamite blasts at a time, smaller amounts will be destroyed, said Kudlik Construction manager Gilles Simard.

He said he hopes the project will resume by October. "It was not a mistake. Dynamite is dangerous and I agree with the city," Simard said.

Blasting is not new in Iqaluit. Rock was quietly flattened for construction of the new French school earlier this year.

Nunavut emergency services, the airport and fire department officials will be informed of the next session -- just as they were informed last week.

Acting fire chief Cory Chegwyn said Simard followed all necessary safety procedures.

Simard said he is opposed to notifying the general public of the next blasts for fear of turning the event into a spectator sport.

Hough disagreed. He said public service announcements will be made.