Yellowknife (Apr 15/05) - A proposed waterfront park in Old Town moved a small step closer to reality Tuesday, when a federal official announced he was "open" to freeing up government land along the shoreline.

Ron Allen, Area Director for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, said his department could divest itself of the public dock on Mcdonald Drive - but he cautioned the process would not necessarily lead to a city-run park.

"Other federal government departments and possibly aboriginal groups could be first in line," Allen said.

The dearth of public parks along the Great Slave Lake has been a long-standing issue for Old Town residents and tourism officials.

Residents have been clamouring for a waterfront park since a DFO warehouse on Mcdonald Drive burnt to the ground during a spectacular blaze in mid-January.

"We all know the potential of the lot," said Wayne Guy, a member of the committee pushing for the park.

"(Waterfront access) is a valid need and one that has to be addressed," he told roughly 30 residents who gathered for a meeting Tuesday night.

The project has received support from political heavyweights including Premier Joe Handley, MLA for Weledeh, Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

In a letter to Guy, Blondin-Andrew said she has asked for a meeting with DFO officials to discuss the waterfront park.

While Allen said his department could relinquish the area surrounding the public dock, he was "reluctant" to abandon the area where the fisheries warehouse once stood.

"We've lost a garage," Allen said during the meeting. "That does not mean we have ceased to operate. It is not a vacant lot. The area is integral to our operations."

Historically, the property has been home to several DFO boats and base of operations for fisheries officers during the summer. The site could also be used to store scientific equipment, tools and other fisheries gear, he said.

Allen said the department was committed to rebuilding the warehouse and disagreed with suggestions the operation could be moved to another landlocked location.

"We like being on the water because we're Fisheries and Oceans," he said.

The area being discussed by residents is also home to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - a volunteer unit that responds to emergency calls on the northern half of Great Slave Lake.

Member David Gilbert said the auxiliary does not want to move from its existing location, which he described as ideal.

City support

Several residents at the meeting called on City Hall to get behind the proposed park, citing a 2001 council motion to promote public development along the waterfront.

"If it doesn't happen now, when will it happen?" Guy asked. "Do we have to commit ourselves to another 20 years of industrial development."

Councillor David McCann said the city supported access to the waterfront, but he noted there widespread opposition in 2003 and 2004 to plans for park along Back Bay.

"We have made attempts to move in that direction," he said.

In the summer of 2003 a vocal group of residents successfully lobbied against a proposed boardwalk along the western shore of Latham Island. Last summer residents won another victory against city hall, convincing council to temporarily abandon plans for a park on Lessard Drive.

The proposed park on Mcdonald Drive has not raised the same public outcry because it is located in a largely industrial area. Several residents who opposed the other projects showed their support Tuesday for the new proposal.

Guy said he was pleased with progress made at the public meeting and another gathering is scheduled for May