Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Friday, January 29, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The GNWT is looking into the feasibility of a bison interpretive site somewhere along Highway 3, between Fort Providence and Yellowknife.

A request for proposals to prepare a feasibility plan has been issued by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI).

"Essentially, what we're doing is investigating the options and costs associated with such a project in an effort to develop the best options," said Lloyd Jones, ITI's superintendent for the South Slave.

Jones said such an interpretive site could range from a sign at a roadside turnoff to some kind of building.

The idea is being considered as a tourist attraction along Highway 3.

"For people coming in, it would be nice for them to know the history," Jones said. "Bison can be a tourist attractor."

No decision has been made where, or even if, the interpretive site would be built.

Jones said it is hoped the feasibility plan will be finished before the end of the fiscal year. The request for proposals ends Feb. 2.

The concept came out of discussions last year between ITI and the legislative assembly's Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development.

When presenting its plan for tourism development up to 2010, the department mentioned the interpretive site as one idea and the committee wanted more information.

Jones said the facility might be built by a community organization, government or a public/private partnership.