Yellowknife (Sep 26/03) - The soon-to-be constructed Rotary waterfront park requires some accompanying artwork.

And Brian Kelln, city recreation program manager, says as a result, an art contest will be held to see how citizens would like to interpret the area.

"We want to build a boardwalk along the area with interpretive signs," Kelln explained.

"But rather than generic, boring signs, we thought it would be nice to have community-built signs."

He said as the boardwalk grows, other contests will be held to accumulate citizens' artwork.

There will be three central themes to this year's contest.

The birds in Willow Flats theme will encompass the wetlands and nesting areas of the many birds which gather in the sanctuary-like area.

The theme what's in the water will address the lake in general, Kelln said.

"It's a common area for fish breeding and there are popular species there."

A window to Great Slave Lake will depict the flowing of the Yellowknife River, the East and West Arm areas.

Once built, the signs will be covered with material designed to absorb ultraviolet light so they do not fade.

The new Rotary Waterfront Centennial Park construction will begin this year and is anticipated to be completed sometime next year, just in time for the Rotary Club centennial.