Yellowknife (Apr 29/05) - A group of floatplane enthusiasts want the keys to the gate at the city's public works garage at Kam Lake.

Hal Logsdon, president of NWT Float Plane Association, said visitors and local flyers alike are running out of places to dock their planes.

In hopes of remedying the problem, Logsdon made a pitch to city council Monday evening, asking them to consider allowing the group access to the Kam Lake site so they can park their planes there.

"The city garage has a nice piece of waterfront, it's very protected, and the access is restricted - it's got a locked gate," said Logsdon.

He said the group, which represents about 30 flyers including some from out of the territory, would cover the cost of installing docks at the site. They would just need their own set of keys for the gate.

City Hall 'reluctance'

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he realizes docking options in Yellowknife are limited, but he thinks the city garage idea would be a tough sell to City Hall officials.

"Any time you move control of the lock on the gate onto others you know sooner or later there's going to be a little problem or maybe a big one," said Van Tighem.

"I would anticipate some reluctance."

Logsdon said, however, the garage site would be safe with them, noting that floatplane owners are generally extra vigilant in protecting their expensive aircraft.

"We think we can probably be down there without causing any problems with the city's security, and they would offer us security as well," said Logsdon.

"It would be ideal for both parties."

Another option the group identified on Kam Lake was an old dock near Coronation Drive, but Logsdon said the area is swampy and notorious for hidden reefs.

Like two other floatplane owners, Logsdon docks his plane on the Back Bay side of Latham Island.

City Hall had considered removing the docks last year to make way for a boardwalk but backed away after facing fierce opposition from the plane owners and other neighbours.

Logsdon said the area would be ideal for a public floatplane dock, especially for tourists flying in from the south.

He said the association is willing to work with the city in building the dock that would coincide with two small parks.

Last year, two American pilots threatened to take their business elsewhere if Yellowknife didn't build facilities to accommodate them and other visitors.

Logsdon said, considering Yellowknife's historical connection to floatplanes and the biannual Floatplane Fly-in which comes again this summer, the city ought to be doing more to attract flying visitors to the North.

"I'm afraid our welcome mat is not as polished as it should be," Logsdon told council.