Yellowknife (Apr 30/03) - A $25-million conference centre on top of Twin Pine Hill took a major step closer to becoming a reality on Monday as city council voted to make the land available for sale.

The land will go to Yellowknife River Resorts, a development company operated by various First Nations, who plan to build a showpiece hotel and conference centre on the largest undeveloped rock outcrop in Yellowknife.

Environmentalists, developers and members of First Nations all made submissions to the city at the council meeting.

Yellowknives Dene Chief Richard Edjericon called the project a "very important move" that would allow the city, as well as various First Nations groups, to work together.

"It's only good business to form partnerships like this," he said. "In terms of this project here, this is a unique opportunity for all of our groups to come together and build this hotel."

Edjericon said the development would be a boon for Yellowknife tourism and would provide over 100 jobs year-round.

He added that his board was very willing to listen to environmental concerns from people who would prefer to see the rock left undeveloped.

"As aboriginal people here in the North we talk about the animals, the land and preserving what we have," he said. "And we have the right people to ensure those comments are taken seriously."

He said the board would also be willing to hold more public consultations and open houses about the design of the project.

Edjericon also dispelled rumours that a casino would be part of the development, saying that was never the developer's intent.

The bylaw to dispose the land comes after a lengthy period of planning and consultation that some critics worry was fast tracked to accommodate the First Nations group and didn't involve enough public input.

Coun. Kevin O'Reilly, the only councillor to vote against the bylaw, said he was disappointed with the way the city dealt with the deal so far.

"I guess I'm trying to figure out what we can do to make this better after we've messed up big time," he said.

O'Reilly said he's concerned that the hill, which is essentially a green public space, will be cut off from the public access without any input from Yellowknifers.

"I never intended to stop, derail or undermine this project," he said. "I look forward to more public consultation and hope we can make this a showpiece."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, who's travelling in Regina this week, was not at the council meeting, but said after that he was happy the bylaw moved forward.

"We've taken the next step in what is overall a win-win opportunity for this community."

Twin Pine Hill is still technically in the hands of the NWT commissioner but will be transferred to the city very soon, according to city administrator Max Hall.

Ecology North members plans another public consultation on May 15 to discuss concerns for the future of Twin Pine Hill.