IQALUIT - A number of hunters have expressed disappointment with the recent decision to make the proposed bridge across the Sylvia Grinnell River for pedestrians only, said Iqaluit West MLA Paul Okalik.

Environment Minister Daniel Shewchuk hopes a pedestrian bridge across the Sylvia Grinnell River will soon be a reality. The 100-metre cable suspension bridge is to be built at the first set of rapids above the falls at the north end of Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, according to original plans. - Gabriel Zarate/NNSL photo

"The hunters I do know have been very disappointed and would like to know if it can be reconsidered," said Okalik. "I hope the premier can find the time to meet with the hunters and reconsider the decision."

The bridge, located at the northern end of Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, has been an issue in Iqaluit since 2008. Okalik, who was then premier, tried to change plans for the bridge in order to accommodate ATV and snowmobile use.

Okalik told the Nunavut legislative assembly on July 11 the government is turning its back on hunters by making the bridge for pedestrians only.

Environment Minister Daniel Shewchuk handed down the final word on the bridge, ending the long pedestrian-versus-ATV debate, on July 12.

Shewchuk said he has not heard any feedback since his announcement.

"We haven't really gotten any feedback in that regard and we're going to continue in the direction of going with the pedestrian bridge," the minister said.

"Being responsible for territorial parks, that is a responsibility I have," he added, "to conserve and protect the environment over there for future generations."

Shewchuk said it's important to ensure tourists, as well as Iqalummiut "have that opportunity to go and experience and enjoy the beauty of the land."

After all, he added, tourism is what a territorial park "is all about."

The 100-metre cable suspension bridge is set to go at the first set of rapids above the falls at the north end of the Sylvia Grinnell Park. It was originally developed and proposed under the program "Bridges for Canada," which ended in 2003.

The bridge has been planned for pedestrians only from the start, according to the original master plan for Sylvia Grinnell Park, which involved extensive consultations with residents, said Shewchuk.

Hunter Paul Irngaut said he is not "too worried" about the bridge being for pedestrians only.

"We've never had a bridge before ... we have a trail on the right side which we use for four wheelers to go caribou hunting," he said.

He added hunters hunt caribou on the side of the river that's currently accessible, anyway.

"It's only in the fall when it would be nice to get to the other side. But the caribou cross anyway to this side," said Irngaut.

Irngaut added while he may not be concerned the bridge is pedestrian-only, he recognizes others may have a different view.

Either way, Irngaut said it is important for people to think about the future of Sylvia Grinnell Park, adding it's not only going to be hunters crossing the river but recreational users - who may not respect the land.

"They're going to be tearing up the tundra a lot," he said.

"You've already seen it on this side of the river. If you go up along the river, you'll see lots of trails by ATV. It's damaging the grounds."

An estimated completion date for the bridge has not yet been set. Shewchuk and his department are currently working on renewing funding ties to the project, which fell by the wayside during the ATV/pedestrian debate.

Original partners for the bridge project were the Department of National Defence, the Rotary Club, and the Trans Canada Trail foundation - all of which Shewchuk is talking to now.

"We've had initial talks with the Department of National Defence and they're showing their interest in renewing this again. There's no question about that," said Shewchuk.

Initial costs for the bridge, which date back to 2002, were pinned at $2.5 million but Shewchuk expects that number to have risen, owing to natural increases in things like material and cost of labour.

An ATV bridge was estimated to cost between $10 million and $12 million, he said.