Yellowknife (May 17/06) - The Chamber of Mines is in the early stages of planning its 2006 Geoscience forum, thanks to Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS).

YCS trustees overturned a decision by it's administration to prevent the forum's trade show from happening in the Weledeh school and St. Patrick high school gyms.

Administration informed the Chamber of Mines that it would not be able to hold the event - scheduled for November - in the gyms because alcohol was served during school hours last December, said Chamber of Mines general manager Mike Vaydik.

"The administration indicated that there was a possibility we wouldn't be able to use (the gyms) because of alcohol," he said, adding, "and also because (the schools) had so many events scheduled back-to-back."

Other events taking place in the community gyms have served alcohol, but those events are on weekends, said chamber office manager Cheryl Wourms.

"We totally understand that, but we didn't agree," she said.

Both attended the March 15 YCS trustee meeting, where they brought the issue to the attention of the board.

Vaydik made a presentation to the board about the importance of the Geoscience Forum for Yellowknife businesses. He said those businesses receive 90 per cent of the money the Chamber spends on the forum as generated revenue.

Last year the forum brought more than 700 people to the capital city. The Chamber spent $152,000 back then, said Vaydik, most of which also went towards Yk businesses.

The trade show is part of a general conference for people in the mining and explorations industry.

He indicated that the chamber is concerned about the possible abuse of alcohol by students. Because of that, he ensured security would be tight, just as it was last year, when "vice-principals had trouble getting into the show."

Shannon Gullberg, chairperson for YCS, said the board decided to let the chamber use the gyms because they were a "responsible user group."

Wourms said they were informed of the decision about two weeks after the board meeting. She is now waiting for the city to confirm the dates they have requested in the third week of November.

This year will mark the 34th year the forum has been held in Yellowknife.