Yellowknife (Jan 14/05) - Word that the Gerry Murphy Arena site may take years to develop doesn't appear to be causing much of a fuss.

Last year, City Hall held a series of well-attended meetings with the public, producing dozens of proposals on what ought to be done with the historic site.

Diane Boudreau: Gerry Murphy site should be turned into a community market and cultural gathering place.

The 55-year-old arena was torn down last November and so far nothing has been budgeted to fill in the dirt lot that was left behind.

The only work scheduled for this year is levelling off the excavation site. Council has also budgeted $13,000 for administration to develop a master plan for the site.

Shawn McCann, president of the NWT Boardsports Association, said her group isn't too concerned.

Last fall the association proposed building an indoor skateboard park on the site, but they're currently more focused on getting the existing outdoor skate park moved to a different location.

"We weren't really pushing for that spot," said McCann.

"Personally, me, as a member of the community, I'd really love for there to be a library there."

Ecology North's Shelagh Montgomery thinks the city's wait-and-see approach is probably the best course of action for now, although she thought it would be nice if at least some sod and picnic tables were brought in while council decides what they will eventually do with the site.

"We've always said that the first choice would be to have a completely open space, park and green space," Montgomery said. "It doesn't seem like it would be too much effort, some grass, plants or something like that, even if it is interim."

Alex Debogorski agreed that the city should take it's time, now that the arena has been demolished. He had originally asked that the building be restored because of its historical significance.

But he doesn't think many people in Yellowknife care one way or the other what the city does with the site.

"We have a population of roughly 18,000," said Debogorski.

"Maybe there are 500 people in town that care and a hundred of them that really care. But the general population is just basically looking after paying their bills and doing the things they think they need to do."