IGLULIK - Iglulik will have to wait another year for construction to start on its new community hall as the territorial government tries to find a way to build the design the community wants while staying within its budget.

During the planning phase, the community hall was expanded to accommodate the needs of a performing arts program, something done in consultation with the community, said Elissa McKinnon, spokeswoman for the Department of Community and Government Services.

She added they expect the new design to be finalized this May but they anticipate the hall to be a one-storey building about 732 square metres.

"Based on the proposed changes, the budget for the project is expected to change," she said. "Right now, the department is working with the consultant to determine options to reduce the project cost estimate and maintain the program requirements."

Iglulik's senior administrative officer Brian Fleming said the theatre and stage were already in the design when they met with territorial government staff late last year.

"The meeting was more to confirm what they were designing was indeed what we wanted. The design was in the latter stages but the cost of it turned out to be more than what was in the budget," he said.

He added the territorial government has told the hamlet the project has been delayed until they figure out how to bring down the cost.

"I'm not sure if it's going to affect the size of the hall. It may be just some of the things regarding the design, if there's a cheaper way to design the building," he said. "We certainly are frustrated because this is the second year it's been delayed."

The current hall, built in 1981, is 154 square metres. Amittuq MLA Louis Tapardjuk called the current facility "very old and dilapidated" in the legislative assembly on Feb. 28.