Pond Inlet (July 26/04) - The community of Pond Inlet is basking in good fortune.

It is in line for a new airport terminal, a new elders' facility as well as a new community centre.

"The community is very excited to see that these much-needed facilities are being planned," said Lori Nash, senior administrative officer for the hamlet. While residents look forward to the projects, she said it has taken a lot of work to get to this point.

"Two years ago we were a million dollars in debt. We are now only $20,000 short from being out of debt," she said.

Work on the $1.8 million airport terminal is scheduled to start this year. The cost is being split between the federal and territorial government: Nunavut's share is 33 per cent. She said the terminal is slated to be completed in 2005 and added it couldn't come at a better time for the hamlet.

"Our current terminal is old -- it's going to cost us an arm and a leg to maintain," she said.

The elders centre is about a year away from construction, while the community centre work is planned for about two years down the road. Colin Saunders, community economic development office, said the benefits will be tremendous.

"Having these three projects close together will mean a boost for the local economy," he said. "It will provide new employment for some months."

The last major development in Pond was about 20 years ago when the Co-op was built.