SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Six out of eight councillors voted in favour of administration entering into a contract with Mountain River Outdoor Adventures Ltd. for the $493,605 renovation of the Wildcat Cafe.

City councillors Cory Vanthuyne and Paul Falvo were opposed at Monday's meeting.

The 74-year-old log cabin, located in Old Town, is a heritage site and tourist attraction.

The Norman Wells-based contractor, chosen by the city, will replace the foundation, eliminate the sagging in the roof, replace rotten logs, chink logs, replace the floor in the dish pit and bathrooms, re-frame windows and doors, and replace the washroom. The restaurant will remain closed over the summer during the renovations.

Vanthuyne has been opposed to the renovations since seeing the $500,000 budgeted for them in the budget last December.

Although he said he sees the value in the building, he thinks the repairs were slipped into the budget at the 11th hour, giving council little time to discuss other options, like first doing a cost-benefit analysis.

Stay off third-party sites, says resident

One Yellowknife resident is concerned city officials and staff will lose control of their message and residents' trust by posting on third-party websites.

David Prichard came to city hall Monday night to express his concern. He used the example of the "Yes We Con" Facebook page, started by citizens supporting the Con Mine community energy project, leading up to the referendum.

"Don't mistake me," he said, "part of your job is to inform me and the citizens of Yellowknife to the best of your knowledge and ability on the issues of the day. I would have no objection if this is what it was," he said.

"My concern is that if city employees and elected officials choose to use a third-party, commenting via a third-party, they lose control."

Prichard said because the facilitator of the Facebook group chose to delete posts containing contrary opinions, it made it look like councillors and city staff posting on the page had something to hide.

"So I would urge you to review the policy of how you present yourself on the Internet," he said.

Coun. David Wind said he understands that everyone needs to be careful when using social media, but he doesn't understand how Prichard's argument can be targeted at elected officials.

"I've been elected to represent the people of Yellowknife who voted for me and to put forward the views I think they would support, and I may choose to do it any number of ways ... If I misstep, I think the people in Yellowknife would take me to task at the next election."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem ended the conversation, recognizing the trouble that can arise from the misuse of social media.

"Your caution is something to listen to," he said.

Monitoring the light

Councillors unanimously supported administration continuing to monitor feedback concerning the need for blinds at the Fieldhouse.

If administration receives enough complaints, it will bring forward a funding request for blinds or shades during the 2012 budget cycle.

The window treatments would cost $12,000 to $15,000 according to Grant White, community services director.

City councillor Bob Brooks, who raised the issue of blinding sunlight at the sports facility in February, said he is happy to see Fieldhouse users have already been sending e-mails to voice their concerns.

"I thought it was very clear in some of the e-mails that this is not only a problem, but possibly a dangerous situation at certain times," said Brooks.

Coun. Lydia Bardak also acknowledged the safety concern, especially to seniors whose eyes are sensitive to sunlight and glare.

"In order to continue to encourage senior users of the facilities, I think we need to accommodate all," she said.

Brooks said that in all of the e-mails, people said they liked the natural light and only want to diffuse it when it's particularly blinding, for instance, when the sun is setting.

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