Council designates future “outdoor heart of the community”

CHARLOTTE PETRIE

The city has chosen the site for a planned outdoor meeting place and open market area, tentatively named Nunavut Square.

Council voted unanimously to erect the square on city-owned property in front of the elders’ centre at its regular meeting March 11.

Although the finer details haven’t been worked out, the general concept is a square that will act as a focal point for the downtown core, allow for a variety of events and activities such as Canada Day celebrations, make linkages to future sidewalks, the school and beach area, provide permanent seating, be pedestrian- and people-orientated and reflect Inuit culture.

The chosen site was recommended by the planning committee as the easiest to develop because the land is already owned by the city and is centrally located.

Public consultation was solicited last summer and four possible sites were put forward. Other suggested areas included the parking lot in front of Nakasuk School, the land in front of the legislative assembly and the Four Corners area.

The Elders’ Society earlier voiced its approval to council and would like to see the project completed this summer.

“What is nice is that we do have some elders in the elders home who can sit outside, and when their families come to visit it would be nice to come and sit rather than be in the home all of the time,” said Evelyn Chemko, manager of the elders’ home.

Council has a budget of $125,000 thanks to a grant from the Government of Nunavut, and council hopes to approve the final design by May 15.