Almost 3 years late, NWT Diamond Centre opens doors

It's been almost threeyears in the making, but the NWT Diamond Centre will officially open its doors Thursday afternoon.

It's the brainchild of Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., the only diamond-polishing company operating in the Northwest Territories.

In August 2011, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Crossworksannounced plans to build the diamond centre,Yellowknife'snewest tourist attraction. At the time, it expected to pay about $300,000 for construction.

The diamond centrewas supposed to open in January 2012, but the Vancouver-based company says that date was too ambitious;it's not used to doing construction in northern winters.

When the doors open to the public this afternoon, Crossworks promises flashy displays, a video theatre and a diamond store.