SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
There is still no confirmed opening date for the Wildcat Cat Cafe despite $525,000 budgeted on renovations that have kept the doors closed on the historic, seasonal eatery for the past two summers.
Luke Wood, owner of Thornton's Wine and Tapas Bar, is hoping to have the Wildcat Cafe open by the last weekend of May. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
|
Grant White, the city's director of community services, would not commit to an opening date as Norman Wells-based contractor Rick Muyres is not expected back in the city to finish the job until April 22 about three weeks shy of the Wildcat's traditional Mother's Day launch.
He said he isn't sure where Muyres is but he is believed to be out of the country, and has been for most of the winter.
"He is not due back until, I think, April 22 and then there is a little bit of floor work to do," said White of the city-owned cafe. I can't really give you an update until he gets into town.
Nonetheless, restaurateur Luke Wood, who was offered a two-year contract by the city to run the Wildcat last year, is confident he can begin serving food by the end of May. The Thornton's Wine and Tapas Room owner offered Yellowknifer a tour of the Old Town restaurant Monday, where it appeared most of the renovations were more or less complete. New windows have been installed, the kitchen range hood which caused the city fits last year after the original one was temporarily missing is now in place, and antique light fixtures are hanging from the ceiling.
The Wildcat retains its classic log-cabin appeal while some of the layout has been altered to make the building more accessible. Work that requires completion includes the installation and hook up of some of the kitchen equipment, which is being done by the city. Also, a cold-storage unit, currently sitting on dining room floor, is waiting to be installed in the kitchen.
White confirmed that heating and plumbing in the building are now functional.
"This week I have all of my dishes being ordered and it is mostly the finishing touches now, but I am hoping sometime around the end of May," he said. "That is what I am hoping for."
Wood said he expects the new deck and dining area to seat about 50 to 60 people, about double what it sat previously and around the same as Thornton's seating capacity right now. Wood said people will notice a difference from three summers ago when the Wildcat Cafe was last open.
Wood is waiting to get an occupancy load permit approved and was working on getting a liquor licence earlier this week. He is also still getting a menu together, but he envisions it to be very casual dining with the restaurant's usual focus on Northern food fare such as whitefish and muskox.
There will be a few beers on tap and a super small wine list, Wood said. It will be a nice place to go and eat, but very casual. And on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. I think that now that is the best way to do it.
The restaurant was supposed to re-open last summer at a cost of $496,200 but was hampered by a number of delays that included problems with the building's foundation and the discovery of asbestos in the kitchen.
Wood said despite the delays he is happy with the work that has been done so far.
I think the city did a great job, said Wood. I know there have been lots of delays, but had it opened and wasn't ready, with everybody coming through the door, you would have to deal with all the glitches and problems. Now it will be great.
