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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Bailey House will be unveiled at a grand opening next Friday, but the director of the men's transition home says it could be the beginning of January before tenants move in.

"They'll be able to move in once the building is signed over to the Salvation Army - probably closer to the end of December," said Bailey House co-ordinator Ravan Bedingfield. Once construction is completed, the Salvation Army will take over ownership.

Ravan Bedingfield, co-ordinator of the Bailey House, opens the door to the downtown transitional home for men. The grand opening of the Bailey House will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 12. Bedingfield said she hopes the doors will be open for good, with the 22 approved residents moved in by January. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

Staff will come in at the end of December, said Bedingfield, adding she is confident residents could start moving in by the beginning of January.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Salvation Army had approved 22 applicants for the Bailey House. Bedingfield said she was also considering five newly-received applications.

On Tuesday afternoon, light fixtures were strewn on the ground of the thrift shop and commercial space downstairs, waiting to be put in place. The co-ordinator said the ventilation systems had yet to be installed, and other minor work around the building is awaiting completion.

Sandra Turner, co-chair of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition, said the grand opening ceremony would take place on Dec. 12.

Bailey House will be showcased to the public in an open house and Turner said stew, bannock and refreshments will be served from 2 to 4 p.m. at the building on Franklin Avenue and 44 Street.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, who will be the event's emcee, said the building could be turned over to the Salvation Army as early as the end of next week.

"The target is to make sure we do it before Christmas if at all possible," he said.

Van Tighem said he was excited the home would soon be open, doing "what it's supposed to do: helping people get back on their feet."

He isn't the only one eagerly anticipating the transitional home's opening. Bedingfield had been speaking with future Bailey House residents on Wednesday afternoon.

"They are so excited," she said. "I was handing out letters for people who are accepted and they are pretty much jumping for joy," she laughed.

Construction on the 32-room home began more than a year and a half ago in April 2007.