Sport North, in particular, is enthused by the idea of a central sporting location in Yellowknife and is already considering the site as a possible regional training centre.

In 2005, the city will take possession of the 7.74 hectare property where the jail now sits. It has already drafted plans for the site and had them on display for public scrutiny.

A second input session is planned for Thursday at 7 p.m. in the city's lower boardroom. All recommendations will be forwarded to city council.

Each of the plans contains a network of trails and an observation tower on the eastern edge of the property, plus a playground and a fastball diamond.

Two of the plans include a school, a sports administration building and an indoor soccer facility with a running track. The third plan includes a standalone library.

Lorne Schollar, a citizen who was interested in the plans, said he likes the library idea, which city administration included at request of council, which has been considering alternate locations for the service.

"Having a library some place other than a second floor seems conducive to more people using it," he said.

City councillors have, however, said they prefer keeping the library downtown.

Several representatives of Sport North came to support the idea of a sports administration building. The organization hopes to make that building, which is currently the YCC administrative building, its home.

"For us, it's a win-win situation. You're right in the hub of sporting," said Doug Rentmeister, executive director of Sport North.

The location would be a central focus point for numerous sporting activities in Yellowknife since the new twin-pad is next to the site and tennis courts are across the road.

"We've got 27 sport organizations (in Sport North) and most would be able to play there," he said.

City community services director Grant White noted a final decision is a long way off.

"This is one phase of who knows how many phases."