Iqaluit picks Apex site for cemetery, nixes Road to Nowhere

This aerial photo shows the location of what was to be Iqaluit’s new cemetery, near where the Road to Nowhere crosses the Apex River. Overlaid on the photo was a graphic outline of the proposed cemetery. (FILE PHOTO)

The City of Iqaluit has picked a new site for its long-awaited replacement cemetery.

The Engineering and Public Works Committee of the Whole reported that it recommends council proceed with the development of the new cemetery at a new site — known as “Alternate Site #2,” city council heard April 30.

The site, located near Rotary Park, looking out onto Tarr Inlet, would have to undergo a peer review of the engineering design, Meagan Leach, the city’s director of engineering, said during the meeting.

This new site replaces the last selected site, which was located near the Road to Nowhere and chosen in 2009, but which suffered from delays, cost overruns and engineering problems.

Construction on the Road to Nowhere site was eventually halted due to terrain issues that would have led to a reduction in the number of potential burial plots.

The April 30 recommendations were passed unanimously.

“We’ve done a few extra steps to ensure this parcel of land does better than the last site,” Coun. Kenny Bell said.

The recommendations came after a “2013 options report.”

The engineering and public works committee also recommended that the City award the professional consulting services contract for the project to Lees and Associates for $165,000.

As of last June, Iqaluit had two years in which to build a new cemetery before the old one fills up.

The city has been seeking a new cemetery since at least 2003.