by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 19/97) - The territorial government is encouraging the city to take another stab at settling the Twin Pine Hill question with the Yellowknives Dene.

"We would like to suggest a final further effort to resolve the differences between the Yellowknives Dene band and the city over the land commonly known as Twin Pine Hill," wrote Manitok Thompson, minister of municipal and community affairs (MACA).

"Hopefully, further talks can be held over the course of the winter and a conclusion achieved in time for next year's building season," her letter concludes.

Twin Pine Hill is the most contentious of four sites the city is considering for the new community centre and arena complex.

Under the previous council, the city had planned to have the site prepared last summer for an anticipated completion date for the complex of Aug. 31, 1998.

Arguments from area residents that the hill, which overlooks Old Town, should remain undeveloped failed to stall the plan. The plan was shifted to the back-burner in the fall, however, when the city failed to reach an agreement on control of the site with the Yellowknives Dene, who have an outstanding land claim that includes the hill.

The city has requested the territorial government intervene and give it permission to build on the site.

Community services committee chairman Cheryl Best said the city has not yet decided where it will build.

"We don't have any plans for development anywhere at this time," Best said Wednesday.

Mayor Dave Lovell also said the city is not favoring Twin Pine Hill over any of the other sites.

"At the time Twin Pine Hill was up there it was the best choice," said Lovell. "But now we've got three other good choices -- the liquor warehouse, the Explorer (Bellanca) property and the city land next to it.

MACA officials did not return phone calls from xxxYellowknifer for comment on what, if any, discussions prompted the letter.

Wednesday night the Yellowknives band council and city council met in Yellowknife for one of their occasional informal get-togethers.

Thursday night a public meeting was scheduled for St. Joseph's school to hear the concerns of residents living near the liquor warehouse property.