November 12, 1998

Iqaluit braces for avalanche of April 1 visitors

Municipal officials are already looking for people willing to open up their homes to visitors during an expected avalanche of April 1 well-wishers.

Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — Municipal officials are bracing themselves for a flood of homestay requests from out of town visitors who will want to witness the birth of Nunavut first-hand.

That's because every last hotel room in Iqaluit has already been booked from March 29 through April 2, 1999 by celebration organizers.

Town recreation coordinator Marlene Quenton has begun keeping a list of homeowners who are willing and able to provide room and board at daily rates.

But the response to a bulletin-board appeal around the capital earlier this year was weaker than expected.

"There aren't a lot of homeowners who've come forward so far," Quenton acknowledged.

Then again, the Nunavut hand-over will probably not be uppermost in residents' minds — at least not until well after Christmas.

Inquiries about accommodations have already begun to trickle in, though, mostly from southern Canada.

A lone caller from the United States has also contacted Quenton looking for a place to stay.

"So far we're able to accommodate those who've called," Quenton said, "but it's only November."

Many of the visitors in Nunavut next April will likely be working for news organizations based in southern Canada and abroad.

CBC's national news network plans to send a small army of producers, videographers, reporters and technical staff to cover the events.

Homeowners who have space to share and would like to host visitors from out of town are asked to call 979-5617 for more information.