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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A boat marina at the Giant Mine dock will go a long way to curb future incidents of theft and vandalism in the area, says Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

That's one of the reasons why the city is calling on Yellowknife businesses and non-profit groups to pitch their ideas for a private marina that would go alongside the public dock.

Fishing buddies Walker Peters, left, and Jordan Yaceyko were on the Giant Mine dock a couple summers ago catching monster pike. The public dock may neighbour a marina by this summer. - photo courtesy of Angie Gagnon

"The whole idea over in that area is to try and increase activity so there's less of this people-breaking-into-the-houses, and that mine heritage is safe," said Van Tighem.

"With increased activity comes safety."

The mayor was referring to a recent incident where vandals trashed several old, unoccupied homes in the adjacent Giant mine town site. The City Heritage Committee hopes to designate several of the houses as heritage sites. The city also wants to re-develop this area -- four-kilometres north of the downtown core -- as a new residential subdivision.

Jeff Humble, director of planning and lands with the city, said the city has already been approached by one business owner in Yellowknife with plans to build a marina there.

"(The expression of interest) essentially puts the word out that says, 'if you're interested, if you thought of ideas that you want to do out there, it gives everybody a fair shake at doing so,'" said Humble.

He said the commercial dock won't interfere with public access to the boat launch.

Building a marina at Giant Mine, however, will require the city and its leaser to jump through several regulatory hoops with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development but Humble said the hope is to have it ready by the summer or fall.

That might not be a moment too soon for some people looking for a slip to park their boats for the summer.

Doug Witty, owner of Pier One Marine onYellowknife Bay in Old Town, said he's closing down his marina.

"We haven't been able to make it pay, our lease is up on the land so we'll just have to pull the pin up on it," said Witty.

"It was OK to subsidize it when times were good and when times aren't so good you can't do it anymore."

Witty declined to comment on whether he will be seeking to move the marina over to Giant Mine.

Van Tighem said besides a marina, the Giant Mine Dock may also one day accommodate a floatplane base and a breakwater to better shelter its users.