Bar, hotel and conference centre slated for downtown Iqaluit

JOHN THOMPSON

Iqaluit city council has approved plans to build a four-story hotel and convention centre, complete with a bar and restaurant, across the street from the Legislative Assembly.

Called the “Nova Centre,” it’s expected to cost more than $11 million. Construction begins this summer, and the building should open by the end of 2006, according to developer Mike Mrdjenovich, president of Nova Builders.

Demolition began this week at the future centre’s site, as bulldozers tore down the old Yamaha building.

Floor plans show a three-room convention centre on the ground floor, with a 77-room hotel on the upper floors. The plans also include a restaurant with 60 seats and a bar with 36 seats.

Mrdjenovich said he wants to offer businesspeople travelling through Iqaluit one more choice of where to stay.

“I think it’ll be good for Iqaluit,” he said.

He said the building’s central downtown location will mean “people don’t need a cab when it’s 40 below.”

Council approved Nova’s development permit during a meeting on April 25, after debating the impact of adding another bar to Iqaluit.

Coun. Simonek Kilabuk warned it could lead to more alcohol-fuelled crime.

But others said there is little concern because of the small number of seats in the bar, which Mrdjenovich describes as a “nice, cozy little lounge” intended for the centre’s customers.

During an interview this week, Coun. Nancy Gillis said that the decision to allow a bar is up to the liquor licensing board.

“When it comes to the licensing of it, it’s out of our control,” she said. “We have no say in it.”

In the end, only Coun. Claude Martel voted against granting the development permit. He objected that the building’s 25 parking spots are inadequate, when the nearby Igluvut building’s parking lot is often full.

But other councillors, such as Gillis, reasoned there’s a big difference in the uses of an office building like Igluvut and a hotel, where many customers would not need a vehicle. “You can’t compare it,” she said.