HAY RIVER - No decision has been made to change the location of a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline work camp on Hay River's Vale Island.

Six months ago at a heated public meeting, Vale Island residents raised numerous objections to the idea of locating the camp in their midst.

Vale Island resident Beatrice Lepine makes a point at a July 25 public meeting in Hay River. The meeting was held on plans for a 425-person camp on Vale Island for the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project. - NNSL file photo

"We haven't yet completed all the work we need to do to make a decision," said Pius Rolheiser, a spokesperson for Imperial Oil in Calgary.

Rolheiser said it is hoped another public meeting will be held in Hay River in a month or so.

"We would like to use that as an opportunity to share preliminary plans and get feedback from the community," he said.

The company hopes to have a decision made by the end of March. That's when revised cost and schedule estimates for the overall pipeline project will be submitted to the National Energy Board and the Joint Review Panel.

Rolheiser said that review will include the proposed camp in Hay River. "Like the rest of the project, it is being reviewed."

Imperial has proposed building the camp adjacent to the Northern Transportation Company Ltd. yard. There would also be a parking area across the Mackenzie Highway.

However, almost all 50 or so Vale Island residents at a July 25 meeting objected to that site.

Imperial Oil representatives at the meeting said, given people's objections, a new site would be sought. But they cautioned they might return to proposing the Vale Island site, if another suitable location could not be found.

Residents expressed numerous concerns about, among other things, increased traffic, negative impacts on tourism and devaluation of property.

The camp would house up to 425 workers. Hay River will be the main barging point for construction material coming from the south via highway and rail.

People at the meeting suggested alternate sites at Hay River Airport, at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 2, or further south of town.