Planner says consultations planned over coming months for development around Aqsarniit hotel
The concept art for a planned Qikiqtani Inuit Association-led subdivision in Iqaluit looks “futuristic,” says deputy Mayor Kimberly Smith.
Councillors got a glimpse at QIA’s vision for a new neighbourhood on Inuit-owned lands surrounding Sivumugiaq Street (formerly Federal Road) and the hills behind the Aqsarniit hotel during Tuesday’s planning and development committee meeting.
QIA is leading the development in partnership with the city.
Navarana Beveridge, QIA’s director of strategic planning, was on hand to provide an overview of some of the plans which include housing, commercial spaces, elevated walkways, room for a new school and outdoor gathering spaces with barbecues, fire pits, shelters and lookout points.
The walkways and road network are “designed to work with the land,” Beveridge said, noting the elevated paths would protect the environment below.
To come up with the concept, QIA hired BIOSIS, a Copenhagen-based architecture firm with experience designing infrastructure in Greenland and Iceland.
“The Sivumugiaq development area brings together Inuit values, city planning and climate-smart design,” Beveridge said.
“We’re trying to create a neighbourhood that reflects who we are and where we belong.”
Councillors seemed impressed with what they saw.
“These are some beautiful renderings,” Smith said, following Beveridge’s presentation.
Coun. Kyle Sheppard, who echoed this excitement, asked about how much work needs to be done.
The project is currently at a “concept plan” phase, said Mathew Dodds, the city’s director of planning.
It hasn’t been revealed yet how many housing units or businesses could be part of the subdivision.
The land is currently zoned for “future development,” and some engineering study work is ongoing. At future meetings, councillors would need to approve a development scheme, lot disposals and a subdivision plan.
In response to a question from Coun. Simon Nattaq on what consultation has happened, Beveridge said the designs being presented to council were “conceptual” and that there’s “still time” to hear from residents on the final plans.
“We are planning community engagements coming up in November,” she said.
“In January, we’ll have more public engagements with everyone else.”
The cost and specific timelines for when this subdivision would be completed were not addressed at Tuesday’s meeting.
Dodds said some of the construction work could begin next year.
Beveridge also noted in her presentation that this project has been in the works for several years.
Councillors have discussed it at previous planning committee meetings. In June 2024, a public meeting was held to hear what residents wanted in the neighbourhood.
Earlier this year, Iqaluit residents likely heard explosions around the Aqsarniit hotel as crews began some of the blasting work as part of the neighbourhood development.