The eternal problem for any municipality is how to best use prime real estate.

Speculators and investors see the possibility of reaping huge profits. Civic-minded voters see the creation of public spaces for the enjoyment of residents.

Municipal officials have to weigh the possibility of boosting the tax base against improving the quality of life and perhaps boosting the city's desirability.

Bartam Trailer Court, the now-abandoned trailer park on School Draw in Yellowknife, is just such a property. Its location and size means its potential is remarkable.

Its location also means that miscalculating its use would be a staggering waste.

Recently a group of concerned citizens held an information session on the site to encourage public input on the future of the property.

That's good. The city should be entertaining every possibility from both the voting public and from developers who have a vision for Yellowknife's shoreline.

In principle, there would be no harm in a commercial development if, and it is a crucial "if", the public still has access to the waterfront, the development meets exacting standards of environmental suitability and the proposal pays for itself.

The city's track record of successful partnerships in the real estate market is less than encouraging.

However, in all of this, let us not forget some recent history. One of the original proposals for the Bartam Park property was to use it as a public boat launch.

At the moment, the former Giant Mine property is the frontrunner for a boat launch site.

But that location is rife with environmental concerns.

Wouldn't it be frustrating if the city were to proceed with a development on Bartam Park, only to be told that the Giant site was unfit for public use.

Yellowknifers will benefit from an open, healthy discussion of the options, including commercial development. City council must weigh the pros and cons.

But we still need a new boat launch.

Diamonds are the North's best friend -- at least when it comes to providing new jobs and stimulating the NWT economy.

Then there are the so-called "blood-diamonds" mined from Sierra Leone and Angola. They are paying for weapons and war.

The world is waking up to this problem and diamonds from these troubled regions are subject to a growing boycott.

Understanding what's at stake, the NWT has taken steps to ensure its diamonds stand out on the international market with a new plan to mark the gems.

It will say to buyers that these diamonds are being mined responsibly, providing benefits for the region's residents and creating new wealth for the North -- not blood and destruction.

It's the highest civilian honour in the country.

And as a result of her exceptional dedication to community service, Yellowknife's Barb Bromley is one of 67 Canadians, and the only NWT resident, to receive the Order of Canada.

Bromley's achievements since arriving in Yellowknife in 1948, when she began work as a nurse at the Red Cross Hospital, are too numerous to list, but there two stand-outs.

In 1969, she led the drive to form an official Registered Nurses Association to ensure patients in the territories receive the same quality care available in southern health-care facilities. She was also instrumental in helping establish the Aven Manor.

Bromley said she was feeling "very humble" upon hearing about the award because there are so many others just as deserving. Are there, indeed? Bromley has set a standard that very few us will ever achieve.

When eight Vancouver youth and their two chaperons ventured out on the land last week, it was pretty safe to bet that everything about the entire experience was a first.

Their eyes were wide open while waiting outside the Drop-In Centre for their local hosts to take them fishing and caribou hunting near the Diane River.

Everything was different to them -- the Hondas outside the Northern, the vastness of the land, and almost all of them commented on the fact that there are no trees.

Most of them had never been hunting, but that is understandable since they live in a city on the West Coast.

They were all were excited about the prospect of shooting a caribou, helping skin it and then participating in the feast afterwards.

Similarly, when eight Rankin Inlet youth travel to Vancouver for a week later this month, it will be the first time south for many of them.

Their eyes will be wide open at the number of cars, the high-peaked mountains and the lush, green forests on the West Coast.

The chances are good that they too will be eager to try new foods, new methods of transportation and learn a new camping style.

The exchange is of equal value to each groups -- both get to learn about a different culture and teach their own -- all while staying within the borders of the country.

Summer sluggers

Sports have always been popular, but it seems that baseball -- in all its forms -- takes the cake in the Kivalliq. At least during the summer.

Coral Harbour is still feeling the positive effects from a very successful five-team junior slo-pitch tournament. The ever-popular Calm Air tournament is also fast approaching, and Rankin is playing on their second ball diamond.

According to Jim Ramsay, president of minor ball in Rankin, about five kids a day are still signing up to play.

He figures there will be almost 150 sluggers by season's end in mid-September.

Besides the minor leaguers, there are adults, who have close to 10 teams playing nightly league games.

All of this means abundant teamwork and community spirit, which is just about the perfect spinoff from any sport.