Bartam site excites councillors, call for more details
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Apr 27/01) - City councillors are enamoured with Matt Grogono's city market idea for the vacant Bartam trailer park lot but want him to present something concrete before they make any decisions.
Grogono presented his idea at Monday night's council meeting but sent him away to get a more concrete plan before they decided on anything.
"I'm interested in seeing a more formal proposal," said Coun. Kevin O'Reilly separately.
"(Grogono's idea) is a step in the right direction. I would support it," said O'Reilly.
Grogono wants to turn the now seven-year vacant lot into a city market and he plans to use Caribou Carnival's geodesic domes.
Standing in his rubber boots in the thawing mud at the vacant lot he holds up a shovel with a clump of dirt spilling over the end as a symbol of his desire to get things going.
"We were looking at what could be done with those domes," said Grogono.
"And Bartam is a great place to utilize this summer," he said.
He said his idea is light, intelligent and simple.
"I believe there is a tremendous possibility for this," he said.
"It'll create a lot of different spinoffs," he said.
Whether Bartam can become the permanent site for a city market is still debatable, but most councillors support it for the interim.
"The final location is to be discussed but it's a good idea as an initial go-around," said Coun. Dave McCann.
Grogono sees the city market as a great opportunity for local artists to exhibit their wares.
An opinion supported by McCann who said he'd like to see an "artists street" in Yellowknife sometime in the future.
Eddie Kolausok, president of the Aurora Arts Society said his organization supports any initiative to boost the exposure of art in the community.
"On its face it's a great idea," said Kolausok, who met with Grogono some time ago on the issue.
"Our board asked him to bring back a detailed proposal and we'll see from there," said Kolausok.
For the past few months Grogono has been a one-man lobbyist for the idea. His experience running a city market in Yellowknife, which Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem said is an asset, gives credibility to his proposal.
"His concept of a city market has proven to be successful," said Van Tighem.
"Besides, he's got domes."
