Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 29/02) - An upper-class resort planned for Twin Pine Hill would cost $25 million to build and could be open by November 2003.

Initial plans for the resort call for a 160-room facility whose unique flowing design would hug the south side of the hill.

"It's going to be a cultural statement. We're going to be using products from all over Denendeh in the construction, and it's going to be a landmark for Yellowknife," said Margaret Gorman, general manager of Denendeh Development Corp.

The resort is being developed by Sihka Development, a partnership of four aboriginal groups: Denendeh, Deton'Cho Corp., North Slave Metis Holdings and Nishi Khon Enterprises.

"Sihka" is the Dogrib word for "on top of the hill" or "hilltop."

Representatives from the different groups presented their plans to the city's priorities, policies and budget committee meeting on Monday. Sihka needs the city to change zoning on the land and is seeking both city and GNWT help in acquiring title.

City staff are reviewing land-use options for Twin Pine Hill, but have not yet made the report public. Even so, city lands manager Monte Christensen said "if it's economically viable, it will probably go through."

Proponents of the hotel are lauding its economic possibilities. A study done two years ago found that an extra 100 hotel rooms could be added to the Yellowknife market without seriously impacting the market for other hotels.

The resort plans to capitalize on growing tourism and primary industry markets, but planners are estimating that about 65 per cent of clientele will be government.

However, other hotel owners are warning Sihka not to count its chickens before they hatch.

Harry Symington is chief operating officer of Regency International Hotels and was speaking for the Explorer Hotel.

"Come on in! This is the most fragile market in the world. If you think you're going to make a big pile of money you're in for an awful big shock."

In the past 18 months, Yellowknife hotel space has grown by 240 rooms, said Symington.

However, the crash of the Japanese tourist market this year meant that "since Sept. 11, I have been hitting a loss every month up until February."

Sikha's plans for Twin Pine Hill include a large medium-density residential area and a landscaped trail network.

The company is pledging that it will leave 50 per cent of the hill untouched, and return the green space to the city after building the trails.

Ideas for the hotel include aurora viewing towers, a swimming pool and a casino.

When questioned by Coun. Blake Lyons on the casino, Sihka representative Darrell Beaulieu said plans for the hotel are not contingent upon it, although the idea has been given some consideration.

Gorman said, "It's not going to be the hill we die on."

The city of Yellowknife does not have legislation that would allow a full-time casino to operate.

Sihka has also contemplated a convention centre near the resort site, although plans for that are contingent upon a private will to build.

Beaulieu said if all goes according to plan, construction of the resort will begin next spring, although Gorman said it could start as early as this fall.