SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Repeated water line breakdowns and financial distress are approaching a tipping point for the some of Northland Trailer Park's 1,100 residents.

Chris McComber stands with his foot in a hole in a huge area of frozen water behind this house. A sixth pipe rupture in Northland Trailer Park caused water to run into a ditch and trail behind the trailer park for three days. The resulting frozen lake of ice spans the length of a city block and is about four feet deep. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

The subdivision is struggling with its sixth water line break of the year, and residents are waiting to hear whether the federal government will sign-off on emergency funding to cover half the estimated $18 million needed to replace the park's aging infrastructure.

One condo corporation board member said it's likely the water and sewer systems won't make it through this year, so funding needs to be approved soon or the situation will likely force a mass exodus out of the trailer park.

"There are a lot of people here who would just have to leave," said frustrated board member Ralph Creed. "I don't think the water system can last much longer."

The city has submitted an application, with support from the GNWT, to Chuck Strahl, federal minister of Transportation, in hopes of securing funding for the privately-owned condo corporation to replace the crumbling pipes, installed in 1975.

Creed said if the money fails to be approved, the condo corp. might seek another route.

"I know a lot of people want us to take the city to court and that might be an option," Creed said. "If we can't get the money from the federal government - all bets are off."

The corporation has almost no savings left and what little money they have - an amount Creed wouldn't specify - won't last, he said. In fact, condo board members are thinking about foregoing snow removal this year to save $25,000.

"We have money, but we're using it up fast because of all the problems," he said, adding he has plans to install a chemical toilet in his bathroom in case the worst happens. "If I have to, I'll go over to the pool and shower, but other people, families, can't do that."

On Monday night, city councillor David Wind read a letter to council from Wade Friesen, vice-president of the condo corporation, in which Friesen again pleaded for help from the city.

"The stressed residents are feeling more like prisoners and are getting desperate," Friesen wrote in the letter, adding half of Northland's residents are behind in paying their $200 monthly condo fees, putting the corporation in arrears by about $5,000 more each month.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain peace amidst the chaos. We need a solution. We need it quickly," Friesen wrote.

Wind said council needs to make Northland a priority and "it's time to focus our energy where it counts."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he realizes something needs to be done on an interim basis "before it becomes a floodplain."

On Friday morning, Van Tighem told News/North it's important residents and the condo board work together to find a solution as the condo corp.'s arrears are a growing problem.

"It minimizes the money they have to operate and, two, when it comes to assisting them in getting the loan to bail themselves out, they're going to have to show a track record that will indicate they are willing and able to pay what they get."

Last Thursday crews were working to repair a line break in the 400 block of the trailer park with plans to fix a break in the 600 block next - the sixth rupture this year.

The break, behind the home of Chris McComber, had been spewing fresh water for three days into a pathway on city property between the Northland property line and Byrne Road.

The frozen pool spans approximately 300 feet in length and is about 30 feet wide.

Judging by the depth of the path and ditch behind his house, the water is about five feet deep in some places and could pose a safety problem when the spring thaw begins, McComber said.

Creed said the corporation is spending between $6,000 to $18,000 a month to cover the leaking water, not including line breaks like the one in the 600 block.

With a possible federal election looming, the application for funding might not make it past Strahl's desk.

If an election is called, the application will be halted until a new minister is selected.

However, Van Tighem said an election call could potentially lead to an expedited sign-off on the money.

"There is also the possibility they'll want to make a bunch of announcements prior to the election," Van Tighem said.

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