Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 19, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Residents across the territories should have an easier time getting around, thanks to $1.27 million in funding for community public transit projects.

Sachs Harbour elder Geddes Wolki Sr. gets into a truck the hamlet uses to bring elders, children, and persons with disabilities around town. Thanks to a grant from the Government of Canada and the GNWT, the community will get a 12-seater bus to make residents' rides a little more comfortable. - photo courtesy Raymond Kaslak

Communities had up until April 2007 to get their wish lists in for what they would like to see in their communities.

The announcement was a welcome sight in Sachs Harbour, which received $40,000 to purchase a van. The 12-seater will be used for transporting elders, persons with disabilities, and school children when it's too cold out, according to SAO Raymond Kaslak.

"Usually the hamlet does it, but we're starting to see the type of vehicle we have is not really good for transportation," said Kaslak, who said they currently use a work pick-up truck to bring residents around. "(The van) will make for a more comfortable ride."

The van is expected to come in on next year's barge from Yellowknife, which usually comes early-to-mid-August.

In Fort Smith, the $450,000 they received will allow them to finally create a paved seven-kilometre multi-use path to connect both ends of the community.

"It's been a long standing project in the community plan," said Roy Scott, the town's CEO. "This catapulted it up over other priorities."

Having a path in town should motivate people to get more active, according to Scott.

"The whole intent is to get people out of their vehicles and walk."

With the ski club moved out of town, the path can double as a cross-country ski path in the winter, and bike, walk and roller blade path in the summer.

The city has reserve funds to cover the remaining costs of the path, as Scott estimates the total at between $750,000 and $800,000. He expects the work to get started this spring.

Hay river residents can look forward to some extensions on their existing trail system as soon as next Fall, thanks to the $125,000 grant the town received.

Mayor John Pollard said the town is looking to join the area by the Rooster Convenience Store up to the west channel, and link the bike path from the cemetery along the river bank.

"We find people are using these paths more and more," said Pollard.

With the funding coming late in the year, Pollard said work on the paths should start in spring and ready for use in the fall.

The town received another $65,000 for a Handi-Bus which will go to the Hay River Council for Persons with Disabilities.

With the council receiving 15 to 20 calls daily for people who are disabled, Pollard said council was in dire need of the Handi-bus.

The city will purchase the bus as soon as they receive the funding, and hand it over immediately to the council.

Nine projects were approved in total. Included are, a minibus for elders in Gameti; public transit vehicles in Sachs Harbour, Lutsel k'e and Hay River; bus shelters, secure bike racks, signage for cycling trails, and pedestrian walkways in Yellowknife, a trail system in Fort Smith, and path and trail development and a Handi-Bus in Hay River.

Another $425,000 is up for grabs with the final application deadline March 1, 2008. Funding for the grant was provided under the Canada-Northwest Territories Public Transit Agreement and Canada's Public Transit Capital Trust.