Yellowknife (Mar 10/04) - Tree of Peace founder Tom Eagle says the increasingly frustrating, 22-year wait to obtain a vacant lot is up against a new wall -- Yellowknife city council.

Tree of Peace founder Tom Eagle met with city council, Feb. 16, in an attempt to encourage a land purchase that's been in the works for 22 years. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

The aboriginal friendship centre's staff and programming have outgrown the current building and adjacent parking lot. But after a cold reception from some city councillors late last month, Eagle said he wonders if the non-profit organization on 51st Street will ever get the land, which is conveniently located next door to the current building.

The Tree of Peace provides a number of cultural, educational, social and recreational programs for aboriginal residents of Dettah, Ndilo and Yellowknife.

"We've got a new enemy, shall we say," said Eagle. "What the hell has taken them so long? I just can't believe it."

Part of the problem, he said, is that There are some councillors who would rather see the land go out on the open market.

The matter came up for a city council vote, Feb. 23, but failed to pass.

One bylaw proposal was drafted to obtain the land from its current owner -- the territorial government. A sister bylaw would have paved the way for the city to sell the lot to the Tree of Peace.

Several councillors, however, demanded the bylaws be referred back to committee or scrapped all together.

"I don't like sole-sourcing of land because I don't think it does justice to the people of Yellowknife," said Coun. Doug Witty on Monday.

He said he has nothing against the Tree of Peace, but feels City Hall lacks a stringent set of guidelines for dealing with sole-source sales.

"For anybody to come up and say I want that piece of land and no one else gets to know about it, I don't think that's a fair, open and accountable process," he said.

The land had an assessed value of about $120,000 two or three years ago, said city assessor Darcy Beck.

Meanwhile, Eagle said it will likely be the end of March before anything is resolved with the city. To make matters more complicated, Chris Bromley, who owns the building currently housing Diavik Diamonds on Franklin Ave. -- which is just up the street from the Tree of Peace -- has expressed an interest in the land, as well.

Bromley is on vacation and could not be reached for comment.

Regardless, Eagle said his group expressed an interest first, but has been bogged down with bureaucratic red tape -- first from the GNWT, and now the city -- since 1982.

"I know the politicking that's going on," said Eagle. "I've been dealing with these kind of things for too long."

Latest snag

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, whose work on the Tree of Peace file proceeds his tenure as mayor -- back to when he was manager of the Bank of Montreal 12 years ago, said the latest snag may have been averted had the friendship centre delivered a development proposal to council following Eagle's presentation in mid-February. He said council is still waiting for the document.

The mayor also said part of the problem is that the Tree of Peace keeps changing its plans.

"There's been a four-storey development, a two-storey and a 10-storey," said Van Tighem.

"So which is it?"

Coun. Kevin O'Reilly said the city should do its best to help the centre acquire the land, because it provides a valuable community service.

"I certainly don't have any difficulty in sole-sourcing land if it is for a non-profit organization that is going to benefit the community as a whole," said O'Reilly.

"I think some people on council don't understand what the Tree of Peace is all about."