But it is not going to be easy.

To assist growing industries, such as diamond mining and a possibly expanded airport, council is mulling over what can be done with four different quarry leases: FOL Road and Deh Cho Boulevard, Giant Mine, the area west of Kam Lake, and the airport development plan.

Monty Christensen, manager of the city's planning and lands division spoke to a committee meeting Monday.

Giant Mine is a good area for truck stages, and light industry activity, he said.

"But we're all aware of the difficulties there," he said, mentioning the clean up of toxic waste in particular.

The leases to the quarry sites would have to be changed to allow industrial use.

Developing lands west of the airport is a more long-term goal, Christensen said.

The proposed airport authority has a 50-year plan in the works, he pointed out.

"But there is nothing to stop the city from getting involved," Christensen said. "This is long-term stuff."

Coun. Kevin O'Reilly asked about potential impacts a development of quarry land would have on the ski club right across the street.

Coun. Ben McDonald drew attention to Kam Lake, saying it may be "the most valuable piece of land we have down there."

McDonald added that he doesn't want the airport area to be looked at as only an industrial site.

Coun. Robert Hawkins said he didn't like the idea of selling a block of land to one developer.

"We need a marketing strategy brought in," said Hawkins.

The city wants to have the land on the market by the summer of 2003.