Chris Windeyer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 05, 2007

IQALUIT - Coun. Glenn Williams asked municipal staff to research the possibility of Iqaluit constructing a new city hall through a public-private partnership.

The current city hall, located on top of the Arnaitok complex is small and susceptible to fumes from the downstairs fire hall when fire trucks are running their engines.

In October, ratepayers overwhelmingly rejected a ballot question that would have authorized the city to borrow $6 million to build a new city hall.

City looks to upgrade Apex trail

A trail between Apex and the cemetery used by Inuit since time immemorial could be getting an upgrade.

The city held an open house Monday to test the waters on the project.

Consultant Steve Burden said the 28 people who responded to questionnaires were roughly divided into two camps: those who favour intensive upgrades, perhaps with boardwalks, look-offs and picnic areas, and those who favour minimal upgrades, with signs and trail markers only.

The trail was a pet project of former councillor Simanuk Kilabuk and Coun. Glenn Williams suggested the trail be named after Kilabuk.

Burden said the project will come back to council in six to eight weeks. No funding is yet lined up, so work on whatever design is chosen wouldn't start until next year at the earliest.

Big pile of gravel one step closer

The engineers working on the Northwest gravel pit project updated council on that project's status.

Steve Burden and Matthew Hough of Trow Associates said contractors told them they want to continue using the current North 40 gravel pit for crushing and storage and 24/7 access to the new pit during construction season.

The project still needs approval from the Nunavut Impact Review Board and Nunavut Water Board.

Coun. Simon Nattaq reminded the consultants to consider berry pickers and fishers who use the area.

Plans call for a small gravel pit 1.3 kilometres north of the upper base, with a larger pit to be built six kilometres out when the small one is depleted. The current pit at North 40 is contaminated and can no longer be used.