Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 26/02) - There was standing room only in the council chamber Monday night for a meeting concerning proposed elders housing that would be built in Happy Valley Campground.

The meeting opened with an explanation of the project by NWT Housing Corporation technical adviser Scott Reid.

He said the six-unit project will cost about $1.2 million, excluding the cost of a utilidette hook-up, which could add an additional $750,000 to the price that would have to be paid for by the housing corporation.

The six-plex would be built near the centre of the campground and eliminate all recreational vehicle parking.

Before the floor was opened to the public for questions, three letters were read from people opposed to the development.

'Keep campground open'

Marilyn and Allen Fehr wrote that while they were in favour of the elders facility, they thought it should be built adjacent to the campground.

Moe Grant, of Moe's Newsstand and Stationary, wrote that closing the campground would be taking business away from hers and others.

Dennis Zimmermann, of Arctic Nature Tours, wrote that the loss of the campground will set the tourism industry in Inuvik back 10 years.

"If you think that people will still come, you are wrong," Zimmermann wrote. "We are competing with other destinations on a global level."

The Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development superintendent for the Beaufort Delta, Ron Morrisson, said that replacement cost for a similar campground would be anywhere from $1 million to $2 million.

"If we needed to develop another campground, we probably would not do it," Morrisson said. Coun. Vince Sharpe said that he could not support the six-plex at the sake of losing the campground.

"If it's one or the other, I'd have to throw my vote in favour of the campground," Sharpe said.

Looking for compromise

He asked Inuvik Senior Society president Bertha Allen if there was anyway they could compromise to have both the six-plex and the campground.

Allen said she could not speak for the other seniors and would have to sit down and discuss a possible compromise.

Coun. Denny Rogers agreed with Sharpe, that unless there was a compromise he would not support the six-plex.

"I don't think it makes economic or social sense," Rogers said. Filmmaker Dennis Allen spoke in support of the facility and compared the issue to the opening of the youth centre.

"They were here when this place was just dirt," Allen said.

"In your eyes, I think that you think they are disposable."

There was discussion over zoning and that the land is currently zoned for public use that would allow for a senior's facility, but council requires a better definition of what that wording includes.

No common area

Coun. Gary Smith said the building has no features that would make it anything other than housing.

"Let's not split hairs and call it what it is; it's a six-plex," Smith said.

"There is no common area for people to gather ... let's not call it a facility."

Bertha Allen said the elders wanted independent housing units and they didn't want a common area.

"We will have a common area in each other's living rooms and in the kitchen," Allen said.

Elder Edward Lennie said although he was initially in favour of a facility that would have accommodated both the campground and an elders residence and a common area where both could visit.

"This is not what I voted for," Lennie said.

"We're just taking away something that's already built."

Mayor Peter Clarkson said council will discuss the issue at the next meetings Aug. 12 and 14 or call for a special meeting.

XXXX XXXX -