Setting up and running any new business is no easy task, and veteran businessman Art Webster knows that well.

The former owner of the North End Gallery had originally envisioned his new business venture – the Wheelhouse Restaurant – opening last fall.

He's still waiting for construction on the leased space at Waterfront Station to be done so he can get it ready for opening.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Webster said he no longer knows when he might be able to open after continuous delays with the project.

At a meeting next week with officials from the building's developer, Northern Vision Development (NVD), and contractor Ketza Construction, Webster said he plans to ask for compensation for the significant delays he's experienced in opening his restaurant. He added he would have to work with Ketza and NVD to determine how much that would be.

Webster also will seek a further amendment to his lease allowing for more time to set up the space, as well as a time table on when construction will be finished.

With a pile of documents in hand, Webster noted all construction work on the building was to be done by the end of September 2012.

Based on that, Webster said he signed his original lease agreement with NVD last March 26.

He hired Northern Front Studio as the architect who would design his restaurant and liaise with Ketza.

Clearly, he noted, he was to take possession of the space last Aug. 1 with a full month to get ready for opening; he would then begin paying rent on Oct. 1, 2012.

With that in mind, he hired a chef.

Last August, it was evident that work was not proceeding as scheduled on construction, and his lease was amended to allow another five-month delay; rent would be paid starting March 1.

Construction, Webster argued, has continued to be slow. It's taken three months, for example, to install a ceiling in the dining room.

Webster argued that Ketza has so many other projects on the go right now that his restaurant just doesn't seem to be a priority.

All along, he stated, Ketza has "over-promised and under-delivered.”

Now, into February, Webster estimates Ketza still has three more weeks of work to do before he can take possession.

Then, under the lease, he said, he should have a month to get the space ready for diners.

And that's not the only reason the project's been delayed, he said as he pointed to problems with the mechanical system.

The engineers and architects came up with a design, and tradesworkers did a great job putting the systems in, Webster said.

However, once it was in, officials with the territorial environmental health branch noted a required sink was missing and a urinal had to be changed to a toilet.

That took three weeks, Webster said.

He went on to note an additional problem was spotted last week when it was noted a grease duct needed a new part. It's expected to take three weeks for that part to arrive.

Webster said he thought engineers would have gone over the plans with environmental health officials before putting the system in.

He's the first to admit he doesn't know how to design and build a space needed for a restaurant – which is why he hired professionals for the job.

By this point, the former NDP cabinet minister and Dawson City mayor had anticipated income from the restaurant.

The restaurant's chef has remained on staff, developing the menu, coming up with the wine list, helping to prepare for the decor and ordering small kitchen wares, Webster said, noting the chef has been busy.

Webster had envisioned four steps in opening the Wheelhouse, and he's still at the first: construction.

Getting the theme and decor set up would be the next step, followed by putting the business into operation, then managing things.

"This was supposed to be the easy part,” he said.

His major supplies, like ovens are just coming in now.

However, Webster pointed out, he ordered them months ago, but didn't have them sent from Calgary until the restaurant was ready for them to be installed.

Rich Thompson, NVD's CEO, said this morning that as the landlord, the company is continuing to monitor the situation, which is largely between the developer and tenant.

He noted NVD fully recognizes the need to be an accommodating landlord and work with its tenants.

"(Webster) is an important tenant in the building,” Thompson said, though he noted he hasn't had a lot of involvement in this.

A Ketza representative declined to publicly comment on the situation.

Northern Front Studio and mechanical technologists from Stantec could not be reached for comment.