Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 18/02) - Twenty-two students at Ecole St. Joseph School want to ensure they will be safe when blasting begins for a new construction project.

The students in Grade 8 sent a petition Sept. 10 to the City of Yellowknife stating they wanted development of a multi-family condominium corporation behind the school delayed until they are assured the area is safe for blasting.

Nova Construction Ltd. is building the units and blasting is set to begin today.

Dustin Adams, the student who began the petition, said he knows it is unreasonable to try and prevent the development.

"We're not asking them to stop the development we're asking to have safe development," said Adams.

Adams first became aware of the planned construction when he and his father saw a notice of development posted near the side of the road. It was the last day the city was accepting submissions in regards to the proposed development. It was also the first time the students heard about the proposed construction, and it wasn't until Yellowknifer contacted school administration that they were made aware of a construction permit.

Dave Jones, a planner with the city, said it is not normal procedure to contact adjacent landowners when an application for a development permit is submitted.

The only time adjacent landowners are notified is if the development application would result in rezoning. Otherwise, notices just appear in the city's weekly newsletter.

The land behind St. Joseph where the construction will take place is zoned as residential.

According to Jones, there are a lot of safety precautions that companies have to adhere to when they do blasting and no special consideration was given to the fact the adjacent property is occupied by a school.

"We have the type of terrain in the city that requires blasting and we wouldn't turn down a development based onthe style of development next door," said Jones.

"We're confident blasting can be done in a safe manner."

According to development plans, blasting could take place as close as 20 to 25 feet from the school.

Coincidentally, the last time a major incident occurred during blasting was in 1997 near St. Joe's.

A poorly-covered blast site showered the Diamond Point Town Homes development with rock causing extensive property damage.

"Luckily there was no personal injury," said Jones.

Kimble Doyle of Nova Construction Ltd. said steps are being taken to protect the students from the blasting.

Blasting will be restricted to after 8:30 a.m. and not from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. or during lunch hour and recess.

The details were worked out on Friday when Nova met with the school to discuss the construction details, said Doyle.