Yellowknife (May 07/04) - With the help of donations from Yellowknife businesses and families, the now defunct Yellowknife Cottage Hospital at Con Mine is going to be moved to a new site, in front of Stanton Territorial Hospital, by the end of the summer.

The building was originally used as a hospital at the mine in 1937, where Dr. Stanton and his wife lived and worked. But after ceasing hospital operations in 1943, the tiny 20 x 40ft structure was used as a home for miners. Up until recently it was used as storage space, said Kelly Beauchamp, project co-ordinator for the move.

Some Yellowknifers might not know the building exists, but many long-time residents have ties to it.

"My dad's brother lived in that house for years, so I spent a lot of time in that house. It means quite a bit to me," said Brian Robertson, a Con Mine employee for 18 years and a Yellowknife resident for nearly 50.

Robertson's father, Alfred, and uncle Bob worked at Con Mine for 32 years. Bob even had the main shaft in the mine named after him -- Robertson Shaft.

Robertson has made a family donation of $500 on behalf of his family to help get the project rolling. Beauchamp is hoping more families will follow suit.

"We're putting a call out to Yellowknife families. We see this as a Yellowknife project and we think they'd want to be involved," Beauchamp said.

The structure will be lifted onto the back of a truck by crane, then transported over to the Stanton Hospital site and lifted off by another crane, Beauchamp said.

The entire project is expected to cost $100,000 and Miramar Con Mine Ltd. has contributed $25,000 to get things rolling, Beauchamp said.

Thirty thousand dollars has been raised so far and Beauchamp expects the project to be completed by the beginning of September.

The cottage will be located next to the Frame Lake Trail in front of Stanton Territorial Hospital.

It is only expected to be there for external viewing, but Beauchamp hopes another use can be found for the cottage in the future.