Hay River (July 05/04) - Hay River has run out of land for new industry.

That was made very clear, June 22, when town council discussed an application for land from Shaw Pipe Protection Ltd. of Calgary.

The company is interested in leasing approximately 120 acres with access to hydro, roads and rail for a pipe coating/services business.

"We simply don't have 120 acres in the location of hydro, rail and road to offer these people," said John Pollard, the town's senior administrative officer.

Under its general plan, the town has previously asked MACA for additional Commissioner's land within the municipal boundaries, but has yet to receive an answer.

Deputy Mayor Dean McMeekin said MACA has to give the town an answer. "We can't, as a community, be unable to grow."

The application for additional land from MACA is in a 60-day consultation process, which would have ended today, except for a two-week extension.

Council passed a motion to contact Shaw Pipe Protection and begin the process for its request.

At the same time, letters will be sent to MACA Minister Michael McLeod and Premier Joe Handley on the overall land issue.

Shaw Pipe Protection is a subsidiary of ShawCor Ltd. of Toronto.

Aware of issue

Garry Graham, the vice-president of corporate development with ShawCor, says the company is aware of the land issues in Hay River, and that was one of the reasons for its application.

"We wanted to make sure we had a request on file," Graham says.

Its plans will depend on whether there is a final decision to proceed with the Mackenzie Valley pipeline, he explains. "It's still very early days yet."

However, Graham notes ShawCor has subsidiaries in a number of aspects of the energy industry. "We're looking at opportunities for all of our business units in the Northwest Territories."

As for what would happen if land does not become available in Hay River, Graham says, "Then clearly we'd have to look at other options."