Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Earlier this week, city councillors voted unanimously to look into the costs of taking the lead in preserving the Robertson Shaft headframe, but made no guarantee it won't be demolished in 2009.

The Robertson Shaft headframe seen in early November. City council will decide its involvement in the structure's future during budget deliberations in mid-December. - NNSL file photo

Essentially, the move means city administration will crunch some numbers to determine insurance and liability costs and how much money it would cost to save and maintain the headframe.

The information is set for presentation during budget deliberations, at which time councillors will decide what role, if any, the city will take in saving the shaft.

"We have heard some amazing ideas on what could be done with the Robertson Shaft, but we don't know the feasibility of any of them," said Coun. Lydia Bardak.

"Whatever is decided must be doable, affordable, sustainable."

"It is most appropriate that we will be able to consider this question at the same time we are considering the spending being proposed for other worthwhile initiatives included in the draft 2009 city budget," added Coun. David Wind.

Currently, the Robertson Shaft demolition is set for 2009 and is part of the overall closure and reclamation plan for Con Mine, which is owned by Newmont Mining Corp.

Newmont originally gave the city a Dec. 31 deadline to decide what it wants to do with the shaft but agreed to hold off with demolition plans while the city deliberates.

And while most councillors agreed the city has a part in it all, many told Yellowknifer it depends on costs.

"The city has a role to play, but, depending on the cost, may not be able to do this alone," said Coun. Kevin Kennedy.

Coun. Paul Falvo said he is in favour of preserving the headframe "as long as we can do it without placing (an) unreasonable burden on ratepayers."

He said everyone needs to do their part in promoting tourism and protecting the city's heritage.

Most councillors also felt the city should act as a facilitator among interested parties, who may be able to combine resources to save the headframe.

"The city should play a facilitation role ... bringing together public and private interests to come up with feasible options for the building," said Coun. Shelagh Montgomery.

Council should also act "to find interested stakeholders, to help find funds for heritage preservation, to utilize the expertise of our heritage committee (and) to help steer through the bureaucratic red tape of land ownership," said Coun. Bob Brooks.

Though the city's exact role in preserving the landmark remains to be seen while administration calculates various financial implications, one thing is clear: many Yellowknifers want the structure to stay standing.

Two weeks ago when council first began to discuss the approaching deadline for their decision, more than 30 Yellowknifers lined the walls at the committee meeting to urge the city to save the structure.

The 250-foot column was completed in 1977 after two years of construction. Originally, the shaft was 5,429 feet deep. In 1985 it was deepened to 6,420 feet. It was used to hoist the cable equipment that carries the cages and skips to and from the underground.

"There is certainly a role for the city to help preserve and utilize this important landmark," said Brooks.