Yellowknife (Oct 10/03) - Green space and recreation areas are what Yellowknife residents say they want emphasized in the new general plan for the city.

"It's important we force business to save trees and do landscaping," George Erasmus said Tuesday at a public meeting to hear ideas about the general plan.

"Look at all the land we have in the Northwest Territories and for us to be so congested...the community needs green space."

The comments drew applause from 100 residents who attended the meeting at the Multi-Plex.

Planners expect Yellowknife's population to keep pace with its historic average growth of around 2.5 per cent a year. By 2011, the city will be home to about 24,000 people. "The challenge we face is how to accommodate that growth," said Andy Zwiderski, of Terriplan Consultants.

Terriplan and Dillon Consulting are reviewing growth options and expectations with business, industry, governments and First Nations. They are expected to deliver the general plan to the city in November.

Many who attended the meeting Tuesday night made it clear they want planners and land developers to emphasize trees and parks over pavement and concrete.

Barry Taylor said Yellowknife is quickly becoming a concrete jungle and planners must create more recreation areas. "Everything I hear tonight is recreation. We have to set aside recreation areas, parks for kids, spaces for dogs," Taylor said.

"People want and demand a quality of life. Half the people here leave on the weekend and go up the Ingraham Trail."

Carol Van Tighem said the city must also be sensitive to the needs of seniors and clear ice and snow from the sidewalks.

"And what about having an indoor walking trail," she suggested as an alternative to walking outside during freezing temperatures.

Mark Wilson said the city needs to deal with social problems in the downtown core and "make in-roads to reclaim it."

For Tasha Stevens, more green space means more attention to ski trails and bike riders. "Alternative means of transportation are ignored," she said. Thinking about the future growth of Yellowknife, Gordon Emery said being located on Great Slave Lake was "one of the city's greatest assets."

"This fact warrants a lot of thought. Ask yourself -- where will the children play," he said.