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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The city is considering whether to enter into a contract with Arctic Canada Construction for the construction of a service building at the yet-to-be-built Somba K'e Civic Plaza. The company's tender came in at $663,188.

The structure will house a changing room for visitors to Somba K'e Park, but its main function will be to provide a facility for the park's management and maintenance.

In Monday's Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee meeting Coun. David Wind raised the question of whether or not there will be public washrooms in the facility. City administration answered there will not.

"Public washrooms are an urgent need in the city," Wind replied.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said a plan is in the works to create a map of all public washrooms in the city. He said it will be available on the city's website once it is complete.

Parking lot 'chaos'

Coun. David Wind voiced concerns Monday over the development of the lot where the new Bank of Montreal is being built on the corner of Old Airport Road and Range Lake Road.

The lot is also slated for the development of a slew of other businesses.

The concern is that the parking lot may be a repeat of the "chaos" the Wal-Mart parking lot has become, said Wind.

"I'm surprised there aren't more fender benders," said Wind, referring to the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Jeff Humble. the city's director of planning and development, replied that the development is being modeled around city Smart Growth principles, and that it is likely that the bank's parking lot will be much more efficient than its crowded neighbor at Wal-Mart.

Rare earth mining

City council was given a presentation by Avalon Rare Metals on their plans to mine Thor Lake for rare earth minerals, Monday.

Thor Lake has every rare earth mineral found on earth, including lithium, tantalum, and indium. Currently, every other mine producing these resources are in China. Rare earths are used in the manufacturing of high-strength magnets used in flat-screen TVs and hybrid cars.

"It's refreshing to hear plans to mine something other than diamonds," said councilor David McCann with a laugh. The council was wholly supportive of the plans as they are so far.