Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 24/05) - Golf balls may roll this summer at the Wade Hamer mini golf course.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the city is close to reaching a deal with an un-named Yellowknife service club.

"The plan is to have it open this year," Van Tighem said.

The course failed to open this season after the Kiwanis Club, which paid a token $1 for the course, ceased operations.

Yellowknifer has learned that Bosco Homes expressed interest in the course.

Al Bowerman, program director and psychologist of Bosco, a charitable, nonprofit society, said the process is underway for the change of hands. "We (Bosco) run residential treatment programs and group homes for kids and we've used that facility ever since we've been here," Bowerman said.

"So I thought that we could always use the funding for our programs, so we're looking into it."

Bowerman also said he could staff the golf stand with summer students.

He said it is unlikely the paperwork would be ready to open the stand this year, but by next year they would be ready for business.

Van Tighem said the family-orientated mini golf is a valuable asset to the community. "Families, summer programs and tourists all utilized the golf course," he said.

The golf course was built in 1990 by the Wade Hamer Foundation and named after the son of former resident Ter Hamer.

Wade Hamer died in an industrial accident in 1987.

Ter, who now lives in Peace River, Alberta, said he is very pleased a new operator has been found for the course.

"I am familiar with the incoming operator and I believe that it would be a beneficial thing, both for themselves, for us as an outgoing foundation and for the people of the town as well," Hamer said.