Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

FORT SMITH (Jun 22/98) - The town of Fort Smith has suffered its share of job losses as governments shed employees over the last few years.

But Mayor Peter Martselos is not about to let the community go to waste. The council is constantly looking for way to boost the spirits of residents and stimulate the South Slave economy.

"We have to be proactive and start working on different things because with the territorial government jobs lost in the community we feel squeezed a little bit," said Martselos, a councillor for 15 years, and mayor for the last nine months.

"We have to find other ways to build the economy and have the people of Fort Smith feel good about the town again. We lost over 100 government positions -- more than any other community in the North. We have to work hard to find some ways to see how we can build up again."

One major project is the community recreation centre -- the grand opening is expected to take place later this week.

The 2,323-square-metre, three-storey complex will house an aerobics room, senior citizens complex, curling club, gymnasium with hardwood floor, weight room, Aurora College classrooms and a youth centre.

"It's an excellent facility," said Martselos.

The $4.5-million project has been in the making for more than three years. A hockey arena and swimming pool will be added in two other phases in the coming years.

"I encourage the people to make use of the facility because it's very important. "The more people that use (it) the better. It's better for the municipality to recover some of the costs."

The municipality hopes the construction of a road through Wood Buffalo National Park, an alternative route from the South to Fort Smith, will also boost economic fortunes. Right now the only way into the community is from Hay River.

"We asked for permission for this road because this road was there many years ago -- 1958 -- and we just want to reopen it," he said.

"Of course we have big opposition from Parks Canada because they don't want anybody going through the park. We're just asking for permission, we're not asking for money."

Aurora College heavy-equipment operator students are eager to build the road for some valuable on-the-job experience.

Martselos said the council is waiting for the federal government's approval. In the meantime, the council is also talking with BHP Diamonds. Martselos said they want to promote the town both to attract people and business.

"Fort Smith is the lowest cost-of-living town in the NWT from property to housing to the grocery stores," he said.

A three-bedroom house in Yellowknife costs about $200,000. In Fort Smith a similar house costs about $90,000.