Yellowknife (Sep 29/04) - This year's construction season is almost over but not one bulldozer has ventured onto Twin Pine Hill, where Yellowknife River Resorts made a deal with the city to build a $25 million hotel and conference centre.

Other than a few survey stakes scattered on the hill's southern slope and a couple of shanties built by homeless people, little development has taken place.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said, however, that he is still confident the hill will house a resort.

"They're very patient people," said Van Tighem of Yellowknife River Resorts.

"They operate on a different time schedule than most developers. I'm sure it will come."

Van Tighem said he was told work was supposed to coincide with the re-paving project on Franklin Avenue but that time has come and gone.

Margaret Gorman, manager of the Denendeh Development Corporation which is a partner in the resort, said technical difficulties building a road onto such a steep grade resulted in the project being delayed.

Nonetheless, they hope to get to work next spring. She said the road leading up to the 160-room resort will form a four-way intersection at 43rd St. on Franklin Ave.

"We're going ahead," said Gorman. "We're starting construction in the spring."

As for the conference centre that will be attached to the resort, she said building that will be the city's responsibility.

Van Tighem said he isn't sure how much it will cost but that part of the project is still a long way off.

"Who knows, we have (eight) years to build one," said Van Tighem.

City councillor Kevin O'Reilly -- who opposed the purchase agreement because, in his opinion, it didn't make enough allowances for trails and vantage points for residents -- said he still hopes the project might simply drift away.

"I'm not sure the land purchase agreement has been fulfilled," said O'Reilly.

"I think there is a requirement to start work by a certain point. The longer we can hang onto it, the better, as far as I'm concerned."

For now, while awaiting development, Twin Pine Hill remains a refuge for the homeless as well as the teenage partiers sneaking beer bottles onto the bluffs over looking Yellowknife Bay.

Garbage and broken beer bottles -- many of them old stubbies that were phased out more than 20 years ago --litter the rocks, making it a treacherous place to venture for anyone wearing shorts and sandals.

"There's lots of glass but you can get these gas-powered vacuum backpacks," said O'Reilly.

"You strap them on, you go up there and suck up the glass and it's gone."