SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - New building developments in the city could soon be required to include parking space for cyclists.

The proposed amendment to the bylaw regulating parking and loading facilities in Yellowknife was brought forward during Monday's municipal services committee meeting with much support from council.

"I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled about this," said City councillor Kevin Kennedy. "This is a great start."

Coun. Paul Falvo added more bicycle parking space also has the potential to boost business in Yellowknife by attracting customers who can't, or won't, drive.

"This is something (that will) make downtown shopping more attractive to them," he said.

Only Coun. David Wind expressed concerns with the idea, saying he was worried the act might put an undue hardship on developers.

"What I'm interested is in hearing from developers … as opposed to getting input for interest groups," he said, referring to feedback from environmental groups such as Ecology North.

The proposed bylaw amendment will undergo its first reading at the next council meeting, at which point councillors can put it through its first stage toward approval or quash it.

If approved, the new bicycle parking requirements would apply to all new office, commercial and apartment developments.

New space for arts and culture centre proposed

City councillors are currently considering leasing an underused office space next to the library to the Northern Arts and Culture Centre for $1 a year.

The 31,000 square-foot space next to the library hasn't been occupied by a regular tenant since the late 1990s. Since then it has mostly been used for library storage space and temporary tenants have generated anywhere between $842 to $15,169 in lease revenue.

If granted the lease for a nominal fee, NACC would use the space to host workshops, rehearsals and small performances.

"I think this is a really, really brilliant idea," said Coun. Kevin Kennedy.

He added the lease agreement with NACC would take an almost unused facility the city is currently paying upkeep on and turn it into "a massive community benefit."

Coun. Paul Falvo said the combination of library and arts space is "the kind of thing that draws visitors" to the city and also encourages residents to stay, as well.

According to administration the space has been marketed by a local real estate company but the efforts did not result in a long-term lease, which could result in a lease fee of $78,000.

The bylaw authorizing a lease to NACC will undergo its first reading at the next council meeting.

City starts ongoing voters list

As elections for city council approach, the City of Yellowknife has announced it will start a continuous voters list in effort to save some dough during each city election. In addition to saving costs, the ongoing voters list is also designed to combat difficulties with door-to-door enumeration. These include voters who are not at home or not answering the door.

"To ensure my data base is as accurate as possible … I would have to start from scratch," said returning officer Debbie Gillard.

Yellowknifers must be sure to register if they have not already signed up during this year's door-to-door enumeration. "Don't assume because you've lived here forever that you're on the list," said Gillard.