A little more than a month away from its usual opening date, the Wildcat Cafe is still without a confirmed operator. Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the city is talking to a potential contractor this week. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 08/05) - Mayor Gord Van Tighem says City Hall is closing in on a deal that will ensure the Wildcat Cafe opens this summer.

"The (Community Services) department has had some discussion with one interested party but nothing firm yet," said Van Tighem.

The historic Old Town eatery traditionally opens around Victoria Day. If no one signs, the Wildcat will stay closed for the first time since it re-opened in 1979 under the leadership of a local citizen's group, the Old Stope Society.

Start-up is not easy. It costs about $15,000 just to get the restaurant up and running and rent is $2,000 a month.

The Old Stope Society, who were responsible for upkeep, paid $1 a year for the Wildcat.

The city raised the rent after taking it over three years ago.

Van Tighem said the rent goes toward repairs for the aging building, which was built in 1937.

He said this isn't the first time there have been difficulties finding someone to take the restaurant over for the summer. "We should be advertising at university campuses down south," said Van Tighem.