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NNSL Photo/Graphic

Paul Laserich stands near a float plane, parked beside an illegal dock on Back Bay. - Andrew Raven/NNSL photo

Docks can stay -- for now

Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 21/04) - It looks like Latham Island residents and pilots with unauthorized docks on Back Bay will be getting a temporary reprieve from city hall.

Council recommended redesigning a proposed park at the end of Lessard Drive, Monday, backing away from an earlier decision to remove several private docks along the west side of Latham Island.

"I'm pleased we were able to reach a compromise with the city," said Hal Logsdon, who owns one of the docks that was scheduled to be removed this summer.

The city had planned to turn the marshy lowlands at the end of Lessard Drive into a public park, complete with washrooms, a picnic area and a dock stretching out into Back Bay.

The plan would have forced city workers to remove three float plane docks, raising the ire of several Latham Island residents.

"I've lived in this area for 32 years and I'll stay on my dock with my plane until they pull me off," said Paul Laserich, owner of one of the contested docks.

Laserich complained city hall was unfairly targeting his dock while ignoring the dozens of other illegal construction projects along Back Bay.

"If they're going to remove mine, they should remove them all," he said before making a presentation to council.

"It should be a level playing field for everyone."

Coun. Blake Lyons agreed with Laserich, saying the rules need to be applied equally to everyone on Latham Island.

Lyons suggested a two-year moratorium on removing the docks. He also asked city planners to incorporate the existing docks into the new park design, but stressed if that wasn't possible, they would have to go. "Our long-term commitment is to a public use area," said Lyons.

While planners evaluate the possibilities of co-existence, Logsdon told Yellowknifer that owners and city hall were exploring other areas where pilots could moor their planes, including a stretch of water in Kam Lake.

The majority of those who attended Monday's committee meeting were against the creation of a park, but one dissenting voice said the dock owners shouldn't have exclusive use of the land.

"There is a need in this city for public parks," said Lois Little, who lives near the contested area.

"Public lands should be used for public purposes."

During the meeting several councillors re-affirmed their commitment to the city's beleaguered waterfront development plan, which has suffered several setbacks over the last year-and-a-half.

Councillors had originally envisioned a long boardwalk between two parks on Latham Island, but backed away from that plan last summer after angry protests from area residents.

The issue of the docks is expected to be formally discussed next Monday during a regular session of council.