Iqaluit (Aug 18/03) - Plans for three new airport terminals have been put on hold for this year.

Gjoa Haven, Pond Inlet and Coral Harbour were all scheduled to see new buildings but construction has been postponed until next year.

"We were hoping to get them this year. However, there was no bid at all for Gjoa Haven, only one bid for Coral and two for Pond Inlet, and they all came way over budget," said Methusalah Kunuk, assistant deputy minister of transportation.

Kunuk noted that time was also a constraint, as construction would have had to begun in the spring.

Another call for tenders will be made in the fall, and Kunuk hopes more companies will be interested in the projects.

The delay was seen in a negative light in two communities, but Coral Harbour saw some good in it.

"This gives us the opportunity to look for funds for a standby generator for the new airport," said Marvin Dion, Coral Harbour's mayor.

Coral Harbour experienced a shortage this spring and the airport was without power for four days. Dion doesn't want that happening again, especially not in winter.

"The airport is 11 miles away from town. We need a generator," said Dion, adding that some community airports are slated for one, but not his.

In Gjoa Haven, the news was met with disappointment.

"We were very happy to hear we were getting a new terminal but now we have to wait for 2004. It's not very pleasant," said Gjoa Haven mayor Peter Akkikungnaq.

In Pond Inlet, site work has started and council approved the design of the new building.

"The old airport is getting quite small. We were short of space. We needed more seating, more luggage and cargo space," said Mervin Ray, the acting assistant senior administrative officer.

More space is also needed in Gjoa Haven and Coral Harbour.

"The other was built in 1989. It's getting too small. You can barely walk in the boarding area, just packed," said Akkikungnaq.

In all three communities, no plans have been made to lengthen the runway, although Gjoa Haven said the hamlet has been talking about it.

"We've talked about it, but we haven't received any responses," said Akkikungnaq.

In Pond Inlet, Ray doesn't see any expansion coming in the next 10 to 20 years, not until the community is large enough to warrant jet service.

And in Coral Harbour, their runway was actually shortened about ten years ago when it no longer catered to the military.