No phones, no pool, no problem

Potential visitors to the 2002 Arctic Winter Games in Iqaluit are being told to stay home. All major hotels and guest houses are reporting a zero vacancy rate. That’s good news for the hotel industry, but bad news for spectators.

Iqaluit Mayor John Matthews says a home-stay program is being reviewed to increase the city’s capacity. A similar project was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce in 1999 when Iqaluit hosted Nunavut’s division celebrations.

More than 1,000 athletes, cultural performers and coaches from nine circumpolar regions are expected to descend upon Iqaluit for the March 17 to 23 games. The event is being co-hosted with Nuuk, Greenland.

While most Iqaluit hotels turn potential guests away, the Mariner Lodge is happily accepting reservations. ‘”We’re people’s last choice. We have no restaurant, no bar and no visitors after 10 p.m.,” said Lodge manager Fred McNamara.

“It’s set up like a dormitory.”