Iqaluit co-op delays new store, hotel

Design changes to a new retail grocery store and hotel in Iqaluit have delayed their grand opening until next year.

Mary-Ellen Thomas, chair of the Iqaluit co-op board, said construction of the co-op’s store and hotel complex will begin this summer. But a recent decision to design the building so that the two facilities share the same plumbing and heating system means preparations will take longer than expected.

Thomas said shoppers, who were originally told the store would be open by Christmas, will now have to wait until July, 2005 before the co-op officially opens its doors.