Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 09/04) - Something is afoot between the Workers' Compensation Board and the Department of Justice concerning the soon-to-be levelled Gerry Murphy Arena, but few are talking.

The fate of the Gerry Murphy site is up for discussion at City Hall, April 19. The city's Web site states a new courthouse on the lot as one possibility.

The 50-year-old building was scheduled to be demolished late last year at a cost of $235,000, but has since been put on hold.

Communications advisor with the Department of Justice, Glen Rutland, said no proposals have been submitted yet, but they are interested in the site.

"There hasn't been a final decision made on this yet," said Rutland. "Once that's made, we'll be able to discuss the details."

Rutland wouldn't say why the department is interested in the site. The government spent $1.2 million renovating the existing territorial courthouse two years ago.

He did say, however, their discussions involve the WCB.

"We're just looking at a joint project," said WCB spokesperson, Dave Grundy.

When asked what the joint project might be for, Grundy said he wasn't at liberty to say.

Acting mayor Wendy Bisaro said the justice department contacted the city several months ago about the possibility of a new courthouse on the site, but it is only one of many ideas floating around.

"I think they may be closer to building something because six or eight months ago, I don't think they had the money to do it," said Bisaro.

She said her personal preference would be to turn the site into a park.

"Samba K'e Park is now way too small for July 1 celebrations," said Bisaro.

"It's a great space. It's right on the lake there, and the number of people that go down there and have lunch in the summer is quite large."

Kevin Stapleton, president of Facilities for Kids, said either a new building for recreation purposes should be built there, or if the land should be sold, the money should be saved for future sporting facilities.