Iqaluit council approves building permit for women's jail

City councillors in Iqaluit have given the Nunavut government the green light to build a women's correctional and healing centre.

Council approved the building permit for the centre at its meeting Tuesday night. It will be built next to the existing Baffin Correctional Centre.

The facility will house women who are on remand and those serving light sentences. Female inmates are currently being held in a trailer located next to the Baffin jail, which is often overcrowded.

"It's unfortunate we need a facility like that, but [the] reality is those women that have to use that facility will appreciate the facility being here," Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said Tuesday.

The facility, which will houseup toeight women, will include four bedrooms, two holding cells, a kitchen and living area, washrooms and offices.

Premier Paul Okalik, who is also the territory's justice minister, announced in June 2007 that his governmentwould spend about $1.2 million to build the jail.

Council also approved the construction Tuesday of a new hangar at the Iqaluit airport.

The hangaris toreplace a Canadian North cargo building that was destroyed by fire in March 2007.

The old cargo building was located near the airport terminal, but the new one will be built closer to the other end of the runway.

BMX bike park to go ahead

Also Tuesday,civic officials told municipal councillors thatIqaluit is making another try at building a BMX bicycle park in the city.

Council approved the construction of a bike park last year, but the location originally proposed was later deemed to be unsuitable.

City staff said they have now relocated the park to an open area across from the Qikiqtani General Hospital.

"I think that it's really important to have more facilities for our youth, especially during the summer months," Coun. Glen Williams said.

"The days are pretty long and there won't be any restrictions of access. It could be accessed any time of the day or into the evening."

Williams said he hopes the bike park can be running before the end of the summer.

Staff with Iqaluit's recreation department said youthwillsoon be able to participate in a sport that has worldwide interest: BMX biking is making its debut as an Olympicsport at the 2008 SummerGames in Beijing.