Yellowknife (Oct 01/03) - Con trailer court residents are celebrating a city council vote Tuesday to gain control of the land under their homes.

"I think this is great and let's get on with it," Soren Thomassen, president of the Con Camp Trailer Association, said after a special council meeting.

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem cast the deciding vote to ask the territorial government to turn control of the trailer park's 12 hectares of land to the city.

"We're dealing with 26 residents but we're dealing on behalf of the whole city," Van Tighem said after the vote.

The resolution passed Tuesday attaches several conditions, including a written commitment from Miramar Con Mine and the territorial government that the land is free of arsenic contamination.

It also releases the city from any future claims related to soil contamination.

Once the city acquires the land from the government, the general plan will be reviewed.

Any infrastructure installation will be done at no cost to the city.

As well, the city will require letters of intent from the trailer park residents ensuring they agree to any necessary upgrades.