Yellowknife (Apr 25/03) - One city councillor says he's still not satisfied with the city's treatment of the proposed development on Twin Pine Hill.

A bylaw to acquire the land from the NWT commissioner with the intention of leasing it to Yellowknife River Resorts will be before council on Monday night.

The developers plan to put up a $25-million conference centre and resort on what Coun. Kevin O'Reilly said is a valuable public space used by mountain bikers and hikers.

O'Reilly said he's still not satisfied public access to the hill will be affected.

"I don't think we've done nearly enough to ensure the public interest is served by this development," he said.

O'Reilly said more details of the deal should be made public before council goes ahead with the leasing bylaw.

"Yes, the city is selling this to Yellowknife River Resorts but what strings are attached?"

"I'm concerned about at what stage does the deal become public knowledge, public information."

O'Reilly said city administrators haven't given enough consideration for trails, sightlines in placing that road.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said O'Reilly has already fought to ensure public access to the hill and won that battle.

"We've gone through five years of planning and three years of consultation and advice," said Van Tighem. "(O'Reilly) has done some dramatic things to ensure that this site maintains its availability to the public."

"The developer is really interested in tying into that."