New cemetery approved in industrial zone

Iqaluit council has allowed construction to proceed on a new cemetery, despite concerns from some churches that the site will be too noisy.

Advised by administration that time is running out, council voted unanimously on May 11 to start building the cemetery along the former American air force runway near the airport in the West 40 area.

The old cemetery has become so full that graves dug on soft ground close to the tide line are collapsing.

Capt. Ron McLean, a pastor for the Anglican Church, told council before they voted that churches wanted them to approve a more tranquil site along the Road to Nowhere.

But council sided with administration against the Road to Nowhere site, expected to cost up to $500,000 more to maintain than the West 40 location.