The GNWT is in possession of four proposals to assess the feasibility of developing a hotel near the airport to accommodate soaring demands during peak tourism times.
Two Toronto-based companies CBRE Tourism & Leisure Group and Nexus Group Ltd., along with RT Associates Ltd. of Nunavut and Valente Design & Engineering of Alberta, all bid on the tender by the June 26 deadline.
“This study is intended to determine if current or future market conditions and customer demand warrant the establishment of a new hotel at some point in the future by the private sector,” stated Kelley Ryder, communications officer for the department of infrastructure, in an email. “This work is being done to inform the development of a renewed Yellowknife Airport 20-year master plan.”
The GNWT’s “road map” master plan – meant to establish long-term goals for investment and growth at the Yellowknife Airport – is distinct from the hotel proposal process, which is being done “separately due to the specialized nature of the hotel industry,” stated Ryder.
But findings from hotel studies will “feed into” the Yellowknife Airport master plan, she stated.
If it’s determined there’s potential for a private hotel near the airport, then the master plan could pinpoint lands for use down the road, according to Ryder.
“Any future initiative to develop a hotel facility at the airport would be achieved through private sector investment and in consultation with the broader hotel and tourism community,” added Ryder. “The next step in the process will be to assemble a technical review team to evaluate the submissions received and to determine if a contract will be awarded to one of the respondents to complete the study.”
The hotel’s assessment and feasibility study process comes as the Yellowknife Airport is set to roll out a series of upgrades.
This week, the airport is scheduled to unveil an expanded “plus” screening system in a bid to boost overall air travel experience for passengers, according to the airport’s Twitter page.
“... rumour has it, (the screening system) may also reduce wait times,” read a tweet from the account.
A diagram displayed on an under-construction wall at the airport, expanded screening and departure lounge areas will jump to 4,595 square feet from the existing 4,144 square feet.
The implementation of common use check-in terminals and a new retail gift shop are also in the works.
According to a 2015 report included in the Yellowknife Airport's 2017 to 2022 business plan, organizations based at the airport produce over $170 million in GDP, with activity at the airport amounting to over $45 million in various taxes.