Yellowknife (May 14/04) - Sport North is a vote away from becoming the Multiplex's newest neighbour, but at least one city councillor isn't happy about the idea.

The NWT sports and recreation association wants space in the vacated Yellowknife Correctional Centre for its office, but Coun. Doug Witty said the city is showing a lack of foresight by allowing them to move in.

He was the odd man out when council voted on first and second readings for a bylaw which would grant part of the jail to Sport North.

The city got the building from the territorial government in exchange for land to build the new jail. All but the wing that housed the administrative offices will be demolished.

Sport North plans to take out a $1 million mortgage to renovate the offices to its needs.

But Witty said giving the former jail will be in the way when it comes time to build an indoor soccer pitch and running track, or add parking spaces.

"There's lots of office space in town," said Witty at Monday's regular council meeting.

"If Sport North has a million bucks to spend on renovations to this facility, they could put it into the Multiplex and we could build them an office."

Sport North currently works from an office in the Panda II Mall.

Coun. Bob Brooks, who voted in favour of handing over the facility to Sport North, said it makes sense to have its offices next door to the Multiplex and a future running track and indoor soccer pitch.

"Both these facilities would need some sort of anchor or administrative office," said Brooks.

"I thought it was very appropriate to have Sport North in that location."

Doug Rentmeister, executive director of Sport North, said "office space has become quite costly. Our office lease in our current location is about to double."

He also thinks the city won't have any problems extending a parking lot onto the site or building other facilities if the jail's administrative offices remain. "Once the fence is out and most the area cleared, you'll see adequate parking," he said.