Hay River (July 19/04) - Hay River town council is expected to vote today on whether to proceed this year with a proposed aquatic facility.

Hay River"It will be yea or nay on Monday," predicted Mayor Diana Ehman on Thursday.

About $1.5 million more is needed for the project, which was originally estimated at $5 million, but drew a low tender bid of $6.2 million, plus GST.

However, MACA has nixed one idea for extra funding.

It involves an offer by K'atlodeeche First Nation (KFN) to contribute $500,000, the amount the GNWT plans to spend in 2010 for an outdoor pool on the Hay River Reserve.

Under the idea, a reserve pool would not be built, but KFN would get blocks of time at the town facility.

Ehman says a revised funding plan -- not involving a KFN contribution -- has been prepared by town administration.

She says the $500,000 destined for a reserve pool could be moved ahead to 2007 by the GNWT, and then contributed to the town's facility.

"We'll be basically funding that from our coffers with the understanding that we'll be reimbursed," Ehman said, adding there is no commitment on the $500,000 from MACA.

The mayor was in Yellowknife July 14 to discuss the situation with Premier Joe Handley and MACA Minister Michael McLeod.

Earlier last week, McLeod said MACA examined three scenarios for more money -- a supplementary appropriation for the reserve, moving the financing for the reserve pool to 2005 and finding money within the department.

"We don't think we'd be successful with any of the options," he said.

Decisions on funding allocations must be made by the Legislative Assembly.