Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 19/02) - Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen held his constituency meeting Monday night to a scant handful of residents.

Six people turned out at Allen's constituency office at Ingamo Hall to hear what the MLA who holds five portfolios has been up to.

Allen discussed the goals and gains of his office and took time for questions from the floor.

Dennie Lennie, a local business owner and someone who lives across the street from Happy Valley Campground, grilled the housing minister on the decision to take over the campground for a senior's complex.

"There has been no consultation with anyone, other than with some people who want to live in the campground," Lennie said.

He said he tried to attend a meeting with the ministers and town council last Monday at town hall, but the meeting time was pushed forward two hours without notice.

Lennie said the $250,000 paid RWED for the campground is a high price to pay to house six people and added that servicing the facility with water will run the bill higher.

"How much more is this six-unit facility going to cost," he asked.

Allen said the $250,000 came from existing money allocated for the senior's land purchase in the community and said the water issue hasn't been ironed-out yet.

In an area that has the reputation of being a drinking spot for wayward alcoholics, Lennie questioned why anyone would want to live there.

"They go down in those bushes and drink all the time -- it's probably the worst area in town," he said. "Is it the best area for this?"

Town councillor Clarence Wood agreed with Lennie that the area is notorious for alcohol consumption.

"You're right about the parties in Happy Valley, I raised that in council when this project was first proposed," Wood said. "It didn't seem to be much of a concern to anyone then."

Allen said the Housing Corporation is just the funding agency and the request came from the senior's society on Dec. 5, 2001. When RWED agreed to relinquish the property the housing corp. bought the property on behalf of the seniors.

Allen conceded that it is a contentious issue and said they tried to achieve a balance.

"We're going to preserve the integrity of the campground," Allen assured. "For the life of this government and I don't think even the next government, I don't think you'll see any more units constructed on the site."

The minister said the overall senior's strategy was 91 units across the NWT and is now up to 96.

"That will mean 12 for Inuvik, 12 for Hay River and 12 for Fort Smith."

He said along with the six units in the campground, six additional units will be built in town.

Before the construction is approved, it must be rezoned. Lennie vowed he and other business owners will be lobbying town council to block the bylaw.