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Friday, June 6, 1997 On the ice, off the street
There is a danger Yellowknife's proposed $10.5 million twin ice rink arena and community centre will topple in on itself if the process isn't brought under control.
The original proposal came in around the $6.2 million, now stands at $10.5 million and the door is not closed on higher costs. Yellowknife businessman Ter Hamer has been working on getting enough ice time to accommodate all the city's young hockey players for over a decade. He has stepped back from the present debate to ensure his personality doesn't screen the goal.
There is a lot of support for more ice surfaces but now there are other competing add ons driving the price up, such as an Olympic-sized ice surface, youth drop-in centre, meeting rooms and a running track.
Considering city administration's track record on spending, money is no object so Yellowknifers can expect no bottom line control from that corner.
To date, the only one on council to throw up a yellow flag of caution is Ald. Bob Brooks.
Caution is exactly what's called for at this point if the primary goal of more ice time for kids is to be met.
The growing scope of the project has already killed the idea of having more ice for the Arctic Winter Games in March of 1998.
Ratepayers are going to be asked to vote on borrowing nearly $4 million dollars on top of the $6.5 million the city plans to spend. That is a built in control that could save the day.
Sports complexes in Canada have a long history of construction cost overruns. We only have to look at Inuvik's experience ($4.5 million up to $6.5 million) to see how it happens.
If the costs are considered carefully, controls put in place and the process is kept open, ratepayers may well agree to borrow money for the add ons.
But the real bottom line in this instance is what Hamer has been fighting so long for -- more kids on ice and off the streets.
That's one target that must be met.
Flip through any tourist brochure and you'll find that one of Yellowknife's premier attractions is the socially significant and architecturally eclectic Woodyard.
The city's campaign to eradicate "unauthorized" housing is eradicating Yellowknife's heritage and a prime tourist attraction. People don't fly in from the south to tour strip malls
Given the city council's lack of foresight when it comes to the tourist trade, one can only hope they won't unplug the Northern lights if they get their hands on Northland Utilities.
Yes, finding a parking spot on a Yellowknife street can be about as fun as pulling (your own) teeth. Yes, the parking meters do seem to gobble coins faster every year. But no, that doesn't mean it's OK for able-bodied drivers to park in disabled spaces.
Parking spots are set aside on the street and in lots for good reason. Getting around isn't easy for some people, and making them struggle over needlessly long distances is cruel and dangerous, to them and to other drivers.
So the next time you're tempted to pop into that wheelchair spot -- just for a minute -- get a life.
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