Hay River (May 15/06) - Reaching an agreement on how to spend a $1.9 million windfall may not be easy if a recent town council meeting is any indication.

Councillors can't agree on how to spend the money, although a new fire hall appears to have wide support.

Under the rules for the GNWT's Community Capacity Development Fund, the municipality, West Point First Nation (WPFN) and Hay River Metis Council have to agree on spending priorities by Nov. 1. At a May 8 committee of the whole meeting, town council reviewed cost estimates of several ideas.

Those included $595,000 to help build a new fire hall, $250,000 to re-roof the old swimming pool, and smaller amounts to upgrade the arena lobby, paint the curling rink and old swimming pool wall, buy playground equipment and build bus stop shelters.

"I'm hoping we are going to agree on these projects," said Mayor Diana Ehman, saying she requires a council decision to bring before a May 15 meeting with WPFN and the Metis.

Coun. Vince McKay didn't agree with re-roofing the old swimming pool. As for the proposed painting, McKay said that is the kind of thing the town is supposed to maintain each year.

Coun. Ron Cook said spending $250,000 to re-roof the old pool would be outrageous, although he supported upgrading the arena lobby and playgrounds.

McKay moved that the entire $1.9 million be dedicated to a new fire hall, which would actually cost more than that.

Council will vote on the motion at its May 29 regular meeting.

Coun. Robert Bouchard cautioned the town against being close-minded in its position with WPFN and the Metis. "It is a negotiation and a discussion."

Since the town would not have an official position until after its May 29 meeting, the May 15 meeting of the town, WPFN and Metis has been cancelled.

The GNWT established the $35-million fund to be shared by all communities with money from the federal government's Northern Strategy.