by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 09/98) - Plans the city developed for the community centre and twin-arena complex may be worthless, says the chair of the committee advising council on the project.

"As far as we know, we may not even build the damn thing," said Cheryl Best, chairperson of the community services committee.

The last council authorized developing the plans, which cost about $380,000.

"I'm sorry the city wasted taxpayers money drawing up plans before it had the property, but that was the previous council," Best said.

At the time the plans were developed, it was assumed the facility would be built on Twin Pine Hill. That site shifted to the back burner when no agreement could be reached between the city and the Yellowknives Dene, which have identified the site as part of their land claim.

But Mayor Dave Lovell said that Twin Pine Hill is still being considered. He said territorial cabinet was to discuss the city's request for anther property, the GNWT owned liquor warehouse on Old Airport Road, yesterday.

The city's short list of locations for the facility includes two other properties adjacent to the Explorer Hotel.

The cost of property should not be the overriding factor in the decision on location, said Lovell.

"We're building something that's going to be good for 50-60 years," he said. "I don't think we want to let a cheap piece of land warp our judgment."

But Best said more important business must be taken care of before any decisions are made. "The chances of there being any decision on the arena before the impact of falling gold prices is dealt with is nil."