Third gas station for Iqaluit?

Iqaluit could have a new gas station, if the Northwest Company has its way.

The company has set in motion steps to build a gas station on Apex Road, adjacent to the Quick Stop convenience store.

The station would likely be self-serve. “We find that customers prefer that model,” said Paul Hughes, the company’s manager of petroleum products.

Because a gas station would also draw more customers to the convenience store, Hughes said he expects the expansion would add several full-time jobs.

But first the land must be rezoned, and then a development permit must be approved by city council. It’s unclear whether these steps will be done before the end of construction season this year.

Iqaluit council recently gave first and second reading to a bylaw to rezone the lot in question. The bylaw now requires ministerial approval in order to move forward to third reading.

Michele Bertol, the city’s director of lands and planning, said the bylaw could receive third reading by early July at the earliest, if council decides to give it the go ahead.

When that happens, the company will likely apply for a development permit, to be approved by council. That permit could be approved as early as late July.

Only when all that’s done will the company consider shipping supplies north to build the station, said Hughes.

“If we do construction this year, great,” he said. “As we get closer to the shipping dates, we’ll have to make a decision.”