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HAY RIVER -The idea of creating a new multi-use arts and religious centre in Hay River has suffered a serious blow.

On Jan. 19, town council rejected a development application to convert an old building in the industrial area into such a centre.

Kevin Wallington sits in front of a small stage in the Hay River building where he and others still hope to create a centre for artistic, musical and religious gatherings. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

That decision disappointed many, including the 30 or so people who came to town hall to witness the vote.

The application was submitted by Lighthouse Ministries, chaired by Kevin Wallington.

Wallington, who is also a town councillor, said the reasons given by council to reject the application were "tremendously weak."

Councillors voted 5-0 against the application, because it does not meet the criteria of the industrial area.

They also expressed concerns about safety, in particular the lack of pavement, sidewalks and street lighting in the area.

Wallington said the building is on the outskirts of the industrial zone, and near a major crosswalk over the Mackenzie Highway and across from the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre.

"This place is lit up like the Fourth of July with a prison across the street," he said.

Plus, he said the centre would not be for children, but for high school students and adults in structured programming, mostly at night.

"It was a surprise it was met with such opposition," Wallington said.

However, Mayor Jean-Marc Miltenberger said it is a "frustration" for council when a development application is submitted by an elected official who is aware of similar safety concerns about a previous bid to relocate a liquor store to the industrial area.

Wallington does not agree with the comparison.

"Let's be honest, it's not a liquor store," he said.

Wallington said the old building was once used as a Lions Club and radio station.

Based on those previous uses, he felt the application fell under semi-private use, which could be approved as discretionary use under the town's bylaws.

"I didn't have any idea council would deny this," he said.

Miltenberger said, if an exception is made under discretionary use, that use would then become an approved use and set a precedent for the future.

Noting the large number of residents who turned out for the vote, Coun. Vince McKay said he is not against culture, arts or religion.

"What I am concerned about is development in the wrong area," he said.

Coun. Sandra Lester said council sometimes has to go against what people think is a wonderful idea.

"This does not fit in the industrial park," she said.

Lester added just because some nice people were "staring us down" at the meeting, it does not make it right to approve the application.

Miltenberger said he was amazed by the "energy" created in the community after a Jan. 12 meeting in which councillors indicated they would vote against the development application.

"It garnered a whole eclectic group of people collectively supporting it," he said, adding that included the NWT Arts Council and Hay River churches.

During town council's consideration of the application, Wallington declared a conflict and did not take part in discussions.

He said it was not his intention to put councillors, including himself, in a difficult position.

Wallington still hopes the project can be saved and a new location will not be sought, nor will council's decision be taken to the Development Appeal Board.

"We won't worry about a new location," he said.

Instead, proponents will review councillors' concerns and see if they can be addressed.

Wallington thinks that might be possible by limiting the types of activities, ensuring people will only drive to the building or even constructing a sidewalk.

"I hope we can work towards a solution," he said, adding the building is eventually going to have to be used for something.

Wallington still has high hopes for the building.

"It's a cool facility," he said. "There is a lot of potential to what we can do here."

Wallington said the building was pretty dingy when Lighthouse Ministries first started on the project 18 months ago, In that time, $10,000 to $15,000 of work has already been completed, such as clearing brush, painting and minor repairs.

However, he said it is a misconception that the building was being developed without a permit, adding no electrical, plumbing or structural work was done.

"We had no intention of going under the radar," he said.

Lighthouse Ministries originally looked at creating a youth church in the building, which is owned by Greenway Realty.

Wallington said the idea was expanded to include the arts.