Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Lake Harbour (Nov 18/02) - Kimmirut Mayor Joe Arlooktoo says building a new airstrip in the community is more important to residents than constructing a deep sea port and all-weather road.

Arlooktoo made the comments during a recent public meeting organized to give hamlet members more information about a pending feasibility study.

The Department of Community Government and Transportation asked consultants to bid on a contract -- valued at about $70,000 -- to study the feasibility of building the infrastructure. The government is currently reviewing the bids and will name the winning consultant later this month.

While Arlooktoo said he supports the idea of the port and road, he said community members place the airstrip at the top of their list of priorities.

"That's what's on everybody's mind," said Jude Ortiz, hamlet senior administrator.

"They were promised a new airstrip (by the Government of the Northwest Territories) 10 or 20 years ago," she said.

Kimmirut's current airstrip is viewed by many in the hamlet as an accident waiting to happen. Able to accommodate only Twin Otter planes because of its short length, pilots also have to be familiar with crosswinds to avoid a nearby hill. Furthermore, a public road leading to Katannilik Territorial Park crosses the runway at one end.

Sam Pitsiulak knows well the risks involved with landing and taking off from Kimmirut. He lives in a house that faces the airstrip. Over the years, he said he's seen a number of close calls.

"That's happened a few times because of the wind direction and because the runway is too short," said Pitsiulak.

Four years ago, planners looked at a stretch of land outside Kimmirut as a possible location for a new airstrip. They estimated the project would cost $10 million.

Pitsiulak said he thinks about the effect a 160-kilometre, all-weather road will have on wildlife in the area. When he's out hunting, he thinks about the animals and the environment and wonders what the future will be like if a steady stream of traffic is passing by.

"If there was a road from Kimmirut to Iqaluit, hunting would change. The animals would move," said Pitsiulak.