Yellowknife (Dec 17/03) - Council will move forward with plans to acquire Con mine land and buildings now leased to Miramar.

The future of the Con Rec hall, the Masonic Lodge and a residence at 19 Lakeview Rd. were up in the air until city council voted to acquire the properties.

The city will now apply to the Municipal and Community Affairs office for the land. Council previously passed a motion to gain control of the Con/Rycon trailer park land. Several interest groups approached council earlier seeking assistance to acquire the land. Stuck in a Snowbank theatre had requested the Con Rec hall and the Masonic Lodge wanted their building, formerly the city's first movie theatre, to remain on site. The Heritage Committee requested that council designate the Con Mine waterfront property as a heritage site.

And Steve Robertson and Liesbeth van Blarikom, whose home is situated at 19 Lakeview Rd., also requested council take action to save their home. Walt Humphries, president of the NWT Mining Heritage Society, said it is especially good the two buildings have an end use, so they do not deteriorate.

"Much of Yellowknife's history has been bulldozed," Humphries said. "We've got to save what's left. We don't have enough tourist attractions here."