YELLOWKNIFE - "Top secret! Don't tell Bob!" the sign read.

Normally, a dedication ceremony isn't the most earth-shattering of events, but this one had a twist: It was a complete surprise to its namesake.

From left, Yellowknife aviation pioneer Bob Engle, his wife, Roxy Engle and mayor Gord Van Tighem dedicate the Engle Business District near the Yellowknife Shooting Club off Highway 3. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

The dedication of the Bob Engle Industrial Park (formerly the Airport West Industrial Subdivision) took place Sunday near the Yellowknife Shooting Club, in front of more than 50 well-wishers from the business community.

The process took two years, helmed by Roxy Engle (Bob's wife), who was busy getting things ready prior to Bob's arrival.

"This is really sneaky," she said with a laugh. "Right now he thinks he's going for a drive in the woods."

As Bob's car arrived, the crowd moved into position on the gravel road outside the site.

"Should we hide?" someone yelled.

"Yeah, let's hide in the forest!" Roxy joked.

When Bob emerged, he was greeted by a large covered sign for the site, which he revealed along with Roxy and Yellowknife Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

Van Tighem called the dedication of the future business development a "tiny gesture of recognition of (Engle's) contributions to the community."

Engle, who founded Northwest Territorial Airways in 1961 (now a part of First Air), said the dedication was a true honour.

"It celebrates to me 50 years in Yellowknife," he said. "They really pulled one on me."

The Yellowknife pilot and airline pioneer said the dedication for this area was appropriate, as his businesses have always worked in and around the airport - "truck air" as he put it.

"What a great idea, to get light industry out of the city and open up more housing developments."

Given the public nature of the dedication, Van Tighem said it was a bit of challenge to keep things under wraps.

"We had to move it all through council and still keep it a surprise," he said.