IQALUIT
Iqaluit spent more than $400,000 on a cemetery where no one will ever be buried, but now the Road to Nowhere site is getting a new life as a park thanks to a partnership with the Rotary Club.

Once planned as a cemetery, an area down the Road to Nowhere will be the capital's newest park. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

"Extensive work has been done to this site, stone work and pathways have been completed, it's actually very beautiful," director of recreation Amy Elgersma said, telling council July 14 about plans for the site.

"It's in an ideal location for a park. It's near the river. Many people enjoy this area for hiking, berry picking, jogging, dog walking, cross-country skiing, or pass by it to go out hunting or fishing."

The move to use the site stemmed from a 2014 council planning session. The city had to abandon the site as a cemetery in 2011 after staff noticed that the terrain was too rocky and there was concern about standing water and runoff, Nunavut News/North reported at the time.

"It was a mistake to decide to put (a cemetery) on that site in the first place," the late Jimmy Kilabuk said at a 2011 city council meeting.

"If you throw enough money at anything you can make it work," then-director of engineering and sustainability Meagan Leach said, cautioning against wasting more money trying to make the site a cemetery.

Since then, the city has built a new cemetery in Apex, and the almost-completed Road to Nowhere site was abandoned.

Starting this month, the city and the Rotary Club hope to install three picnic areas near the large inuksuk on site.

Each of the three areas will contain picnic tables, a pedestal grill, and a fire ring.

Benches will be installed around the park "for people to sit down and relax and enjoy the beauty of the area," Elgersma said.

The Rotary Club of Iqaluit has proposed selling dedication plaques for placement on benches in memory of a loved one, with funds raised going back to support the park.

A second phase in the next year or two could see more picnic areas and benches, as well as a gazebo or pavillion, washrooms, and improvements to the parking area across from the site.

Rotary Club president-elect Geoffrey Oliver said the project already has several city sponsors, including R.L. Hanson Construction, Livingstone Architects, Lester Landau, Canadrill, CK Services, and private donations. Oliver said so far the club has collected $50,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorship, including a $25,000 pledge from the club itself.

"The park started out with the idea of having a few picnic tables and benches, however, it has morphed into a large scale project," Oliver stated in an e-mail, adding a wind shelter to the list of items already mentioned by Elgersma.

"We're pleased with how the planning is going so far, and I think it's a nice opportunity to partner with a service club," Elgersma told council. "And it will give residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area around Iqaluit."

Asked by councillor Noah Papatsie whether the site would be accessible, Elgersma said parts would be.

"The site work that is done is actually quite phenomenal," she said. "It's very well done, and there are pathways leading up to the picnic areas, so Picnic Area 1 would accommodate a wheelchair going up to the site, and I think it would be a good place many different people can enjoy."

Council voted unanimously to move forward with the partnership.

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