Cape Dorset (Nov 15/04) - People who use boats in Cape Dorset say they desperately need a breakwater so their boats don't get wrecked or blown away.

A breakwater was supposed to be built in 1998, said SAO Art Stewart.

"When division happened it fell through," he said. "We've been talking to the powers that be ever since."

Stewart says the ballpark cost for a breakwater for Cape Dorset is around $2 million.

Officials with Nunavut's department of community government and transportation visited Cape Dorset in August and told Stewart there isn't enough money to build one.

They suggested the community look to the federal government Safe Craft Harbours program for funding.

HTO acting manager Tayara Papigatok said that while members know a breakwater would help boaters in the region, the HTO in Cape Dorset has not been involved in discussions on the matter so far.

Stewart said boats are not only vital for camping and hunting, but the collection of valuable soapstone from Kangirsukutaaq. "We don't have a commercial fishery. But a lot of people use who boats go to the stone quarry," said Stewart. "There are a pile of boaters here. You need a safe place to tie your boat."