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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife couple's harrowing encounter with an icy pond at the edge of town has led to confusion over who owns the land and who is responsible for placing warning signs in the area popularly known as the Sand Pits.

A caution sign at the Sand Pits is now joined by red barriers put up by the city in order to warn people of the deep water. The city put the barriers up after a close call for one Yellowknife couple who went through the ice in their pick-up truck on Nov. 2. - NNSL file photo

Jessi Moekerk said she and her boyfriend, Kevin Doyle, went through the ice in their pick-up truck Nov. 2 because they didn't see any warning signs on their way into the area. The Sand Pits is a popular spot on Highway 3 past the airport where people often go off-road driving.

The issue of who is responsible for posting warning signs in the area is unclear. Calls to the city's Public Works department were redirected to the Planning and Lands Division, who said the GNWT Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) is responsible for warning signs.

Beverly Chamberlain, director of lands administration with MACA said it is Natural Resources Canada who own the land at the Sand Pits, which includes the pond that Moekerk and Doyle drove into.

"(Natural Resources) is the owner of that land and has administration and control of that land," said Chamberlain, adding that the department owns "land in the vicinity," but it's south the federal lands and does not include the pond.

Sonja Parent, an Ottawa spokesperson for Natural Resources, said, however, that the land does not belong to Natural Resources at all.

When Yellowknifer visited the site Tuesday one "caution: deep water" sign was evident facing east near the east entrance. No such signs were evident past the western entrance.

Since Moekerk and Doyle's close call, the city has voluntarily put up red barriers around the Sand Pits pond.

Chris Greencorn, the city's Public Works manager, said the city's concern for safety is the reason why the barriers were put up at the Sand Pits.

"Even though it's not city land we don't want to see anyone else go through the ice," said Greencorn.