Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 30/00) - Yellowknives Dene are proposing to build a resort complex on Twin Pine Hill.

In its annual report, the band's economic development arm, Deton'Cho Corporation, stated: "A feasibility study was recently completed and is in the process of being reviewed by the principals."

Deton'Cho CEO Darrell Beaulieu could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

The report details plans to build a 100-room resort.

Once a feasibility study is reviewed and approved, the principals, who have formed Yellowknife River Resorts Inc., would move into the business plan phase.

Yellowknife River Resorts Inc. is equally owned by Deton'Cho Corp., North Slave Metis Holdings and Denendeh Development Corp.

Possible resort features include offices, retail shops, a cultural centre, arts and crafts centre, mining museum, conference rooms and a Northern Lights viewing theatre.

The proposed site for development is on about 30 acres of land overlooking Great Slave Lake above School Draw Ave.

It was on Twin Pine Hill that the City of Yellowknife had suggested building a twin-pad arena.

Federal and territorial governments told the city that Yellowknives Dene support would be needed to build on Twin Pine Hill. The arena plan came to a halt.

Financial results

On financial results, the Deton'Cho Corp. booked a profit for fiscal 1999-2000, enjoying a 200 per cent increase in revenues.

"Deton'Cho Corp. continues to make progress in an aggressive approach to fulfilling its mission," Beaulieu said in the annual report.

The corporation's mission "is to provide benefits to its Yellowknives Dene shareholders by establishing profitable subsidiaries and joint ventures that provide employment and stimulate community development."

For fiscal 2000, the corporation booked a $311,425 profit. Revenues were $2.7 million while expenses were $2.4 million.

The results compare with a $77,732 loss in the prior year, with revenues at $921,671 and expenses at $999,403.

Over the last 10 years, the corporation's revenues have exceeded expenses by $704,858.

Deton'Cho wholly owns Deton'Cho Investments North. Among the company's interests is a 50 per-cent stake in Deton'Cho Diamonds, the N'dilo-based diamond cutting and polishing firm, and a 51 per cent of camp services company Ek'Ati Services.

We Le Dai Corp. (Vital Abel Boarding Home), Bouwa Whee Catering, Dettah Cable Ltd., Akaitcho Territory Builders and Deton'Cho Petroleum are among the Deton'Cho Corp.'s other businesses.