SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Salvaging will finally return to the dump after city administrators agreed to open an interim salvage area while awaiting the construction of a more permanent system.

Dennis Kefalas, director of public works for the city, shows a map of the dump to city council at the Priorities, Policies, and Budget Committee meeting on Monday. The U-shaped area is where the new three-cell salvaging area is being built. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

The city barred salvaging after a massive dump fire last September, which the city suggested was caused by an improperly butted cigarette left by a salvager.

The city has announced several re-opening dates since then, only to put it off and blaming the delays on troubles finding contractors with time to build a new three-cell salvage system.

As a result, city council has been flooded by frustrated e-mails from residents, and now the pressure seems to be getting to administration.

"We're looking for a spot that's not going to interfere with future work and ongoing operations of the facility," said Dennis Kefalas, director of public works, on Feb. 24.

Kefalas said administration hopes the area will be open within two weeks. He said the salvage area will likely be open Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Kefalas said concrete is still to be poured in the new three-cell area, and the fencing is under construction. As well, the area still needs to be completely levelled.

City councillor Paul Falvo introduced a motion demanding the city re-open the dump to salvaging at the city council meeting on Feb. 22. That motion will come to a vote March 8.

Falvo referred to the salvaging area of the dump as a "celebrated tourist attraction," which reduces volume in the landfill and assists residents with the high cost of living. In his motion, he proposed that city administration must open a temporary area if the three-cell system is not built by the end of March.

Earlier in the day, Kefalas gave a brief overview of what the three-cell system will look like. The cells will open and close for salvaging on a rotating schedule, so that one cell one is always open. The system is in place so the area can be constantly maintained without having to close the site early in order to clean it out.

Falvo said the presentation was "encouraging."