by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 12/97) - Wanda Lisoway was standing approximately six feet from the windows when the rock hit Saturday afternoon around 3:15 p.m.

At the same time, above her, another large rock broke through the roof and double-layered drywall, remaining suspended in the ceiling.

"They were blasting, I heard the warning noise, I picked up my dog and the patio door smashed. I was pushed back by glass coming off the patio," said Lisoway.

Yellowknife RCMP and the Territorial Mine Safety office are investigating the blasting incident at the Diamond Pointe construction site across from Ecole St. Joseph School in Frame Lake South, a suburb of Yellowknife.

Police estimated 20 to 30 pound rocks flew at least 300 feet into the residential area. At least three houses on Woolgar Avenue, including Lisoway's, were severely damaged after the rocks pummelled siding, roofs and windows.

A passenger side window on at least one vehicle was smashed while others sustained minor damage. Scars remain in the pavement where rocks showered the road.

"We're not hurt, that's the main thing," said Lisoway. In total, falling rocks put twelve holes in their roof, countless dents in the exterior siding and a watermelon sized-rock shattered their second-floor patio windows.

Other homes sustained similar damage, though not quite as severe.

Area residents are furious about the accident.

"It's a huge area for young children. They shouldn't be allowed to blast in highly populated areas like this," said Gordon Wray, who lives three doors down from the Lisoway house.

Diamond Pointe is a new condominium project under construction behind the Ecole St. Joseph school playground. Blasting had been contracted to Northern Dynamic Drilling and Blasting. Bob Stuve, owner of Diamond Park Builders which is the project contractor, said he had every confidence in the blast company. "I've never seen anyone as careful as he is," said Stuve.

URBCO, the project's owner and developer, shared the same feeling. "I've heard nothing but the best from the guy," said Keith Wilson, project manager.