Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 15/98) - City hall's decision to cough up $130,000 to bring services to a privately-owned lot has left developers steaming.

And few are steaming more than Yellowknife night club magnate Sam Yurkiw.

Six years ago Yurkiw developed the strip mall across Range Lake Road from the Dairy Queen property that got the sweet servicing deal.

"I spent $3 million on that building and I made it look good," said Yurkiw last week. "Then they told me I was one parking spot short. I had to buy the property next door to get it."

Because he had to have the property, Yurkiw said he paid a premium price -- $760,000, for a lot that then contained only a car wash. A gas bar and convenience store have been added since.

Responding to Mayor Dave Lovell's explanation that the Dairy Queen deal was a mistake, Yurkiw said, "You don't make mistakes like that."

Peter Pagonis, who said he'd like the same deal for five lots he owns on School Draw Avenue, agreed the mistake is unacceptable.

"They should be paying for mistakes out of their own pockets, not ours," said Pagonis. "If that doesn't happen, I'd like to see someone resign. That's too much for the city to pay."

Les Rocher, another businessman at the meeting, agreed.

"I'm accountable for my actions," said Rocher. "I pay for my mistakes. Why don't they pay for theirs?"

Rocher said he had received a number of calls from business people criticizing the Dairy Queen deal but said most are reluctant to speak out.

"It's very awkward for businessmen to stand up and say these things, because if you do you become a target."