Iqaluit (Nov 15/04) - Imagine purchasing locally grown produce from grocery stores in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay or Resolute. Sound impossible?

The Iqaluit Community Greenhouse Society has a plan that will give residents of Iqaluit and eventually people across the territory the opportunity to harvest vegetables, literally in their own back yards.

As things are now, every piece of fruit or vegetable on the grocery store shelves is flown in, either from southern Canada or another country.

"There is no place to garden in the North and there should be," said Fran Carter, the group's vice-president.

Inspired by a group of Inuvik residents who have completed a similar project, the group has spent the past three years working toward its goal of getting the money to start a greenhouse and community centre in Iqaluit.

With over 120 members, the interest seems to be there.

But it will take about $4 million to complete the project, which means the group will have to do some fundraising.

During their annual general meeting on Sept. 25, the members discussed ways to raise the money needed to build the 100 x 200 foot greenhouse.

"We're hoping that by casting the net wide enough, we will be able to bring in the resources needed," said society president John Lamb.

Because the proposed facility will be both a greenhouse and a community centre, it will be eligible to receive money from a variety of groups, Lamb said.

Even the Government of Nunavut may be interested in sponsoring the greenhouse, as climate change research could be conducted there, Lamb said.

A proposal to build at Iqaluit's four corners has already been turned down by city council.

Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said the city supports the group but feels there were other worthy causes, such as the food bank, the homeless shelter and the soup kitchen, that need funding more.

The group decided to return to its original plan of building on a site adjacent to the Nunavut Power Corp., behind where Iqaluit's latest proposed subdivision is to be located, Carter said.

In the end, Carter thinks support for the project has to come from the community.

"We just don't see anybody that can be hurt by this project," she said.