SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Members of the U.S. military will be in Yellowknife this summer helping make the Niven Lake trail more accessible.

On Monday evening, city council unanimously gave the green light to partnering with the Canadian Armed Forces for the improvements. A portion of the trail over a rock outcropping behind de Weerdt Drive would be rerouted closer to the lake. A gravel trail, usable by bikers and those with strollers, would instead go around the tip of the rock through a marshy area.

A second section connecting to Highway 4 would be moved closer to Niven Gate to allow for a wider trail than the current location allows.

Maj. Joshua Van Tine, a Canadian Armed Forces member in Yellowknife assisting with the plans, said American personnel will carry out the work as part of a deployment for training program between the Canadian and U.S. military. Each year, the U.S. sends two teams of up to 40 personnel to Canada to complete various construction projects and Canada reciprocates with two teams to the United States.

"The intent is that we will train our tradesmen to be ready for deployment into a theatre of operations such as Syria or Afghanistan or wherever we would go," Van Tine said. "This is how we build up that ability to be ready to deploy and do construction projects overseas."

Yellowknife was selected as the location to host the program this summer. The military reached out to the city to see what projects would allow them to receive the training they require. The Niven trail was selected and is among several projects that will be completed by 35 to 40 members of the U.S. Air National Guard from the 142nd Civil Engineering Squadron based in Portland, Ore., he said.

A city staff report states there is more demand for a "commuter trail" serving Niven similar to the paved section of the McMahon Frame Lake Trail. It states there are sections of the Niven trail that are difficult to navigate in the winter and for those using strollers or biking.

The military would handle engineering and construction with the city paying up to $20,000 for materials. The work would take about 10 to 14 days without restricting trail access and without need for blasting.

Coun. Adrian Bell was into the idea.

"I like the sound of this project," he said last week at a municipal services committee meeting. However, he expressed concern that plans to pave the gravel trail keep resurfacing after council has previously said no to the idea.

Coun. Julian Morse said he's in favour of the trail changes in principle but wants the city to develop a strategy to address trails. He said one of the issues he keeps hearing about is connections between various trails in the city.

"This trail, although I see it as a positive thing, does not necessarily help Niven become more connected with downtown, which is needed," Morse said, adding there are other neighbourhoods that remain unconnected to a trail system such as Grace Lake.

Coun. Rebecca Alty said she's worried about funding the project from the existing community services department budget when it tends to go over budget.

Coun. Shauna Morgan questioned whether the city had considered the environmental impact of installing a trail through the marshy area and asked if an environmental assessment is required.

Sheila Bassi-Kellett, the city's senior administrative officer, said on Monday evening that no such assessment is required based on talks with the federal and territorial government.

Dave Hurley, acting director of community services, said the work would be carried at a time to avoid bird nesting season.

The staff report states the city would consult with the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans and Climate Change Canada before starting the work.

The city plans to seek public input before finalizing plans, the staff report stated.

The military has completed several projects in partnership with the city including a bridge that's part of the existing trail.

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