Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sept 03/01) - A new radar tower that received preliminary approval from city council last week has been hailed as a "Godsend."

But even in approving NAV Canada's request to build the radar tower, council faced a measure of criticism.

"It is a Godsend to the community," said Mayor John Matthews following a public meeting Aug. 28.

The approval comes after council rejected NAV Canada's first location on the Road to Nowhere, citing public opposition and land-use concerns. No-one spoke out against the new site is at Upper Base, some 3.5 kilometres from town, off the North 40 Road.

Former mayor Bryan Pearson scolded council for dragging its heels. The project was first proposed a year ago.

"It's beyond comprehension ... this is a vital communication link with the flying public and town council is throwing in every monkey wrench they can come up with," said Pearson.

NAV Canada provides navigation services to commercial airlines and private pilots.

Approval of the original tower would have meant $1.5-million in road improvements. However, concerns arose over land use and protection of a nearby lake.

The new site is a former military base. Development is subject to an environmental assessment review commissioned by NAV Canada.

Coun. Chris Wilson offered no apologies for council's decision making process.

The tower is a safety beacon for pilots. Known as Independent Secondary Surveillance Radar (ISSR), the 15-metre tower and large, white dome transmits a low power radio frequency between planes and a control tower in Montreal. It allows air traffic controllers to accurately track aircraft on a radar screen.

There are 43 such towers across Canada.

An estimated 46,000 flights landed in or flew over Iqaluit last year.

Without the tower, pilots verbally relay their location -- a less accurate and more time consuming system in emergency situations.

Private pilot and Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) member Steve Genn endorsed the tower.

"I think it's a poor decision on behalf of the community to delay this any further," Genn said. "I'd like council to approve either site and do it as quickly as possible."

Mayor Matthews will grant the development permit for the Upper Base location, pending a favourable environmental assessment review.

NAV Canada's senior real estate analyst, Graeme Stephens, could not say when the assessment would be complete.