HAY RIVER - A trailer park may be on the move in Hay River in the next few years.

Businessman Jack Rowe appeared before town council on April 4 to explain the idea of moving the Hay River Mobile Home Park on Woodland Drive.

Rowe is suggesting the new location should be a 26-lot section of the Aspen Heights subdivision.

It would probably take a couple of years to develop the land, he said. "Once that's developed, then we'll look to have trailers relocated. We'll have to work with clients there to move them over."

It may take up to an estimated five years to complete the move to the subdivision.

The intention is the Aspen Heights land would be full-sized lots, which people could either lease or buy.

Currently, trailer owners rent space at the Hay River Mobile Home Park, which opened in 1970.

Rowe said an agreement is needed with the town to buy the land in Aspen Heights and develop a section of the subdivision, along with an agreement to relocate trailers from the existing mobile home park.

The developer said permitting is going to be a big issue, noting he is looking for assistance from the town in determining what needs to be done.

Once the existing mobile home park is empty of trailers, it would be developed into multi-family housing.

Some councillors expressed support for moving the trailer park.

"In principle I like the idea," said deputy mayor Mike Maher.

However, he said his only concern would be whether all the existing trailers could be moved.

There are about 40 trailers in the mobile home park right now, Rowe said. "They all physically couldn't move."

Coun. Kevin Wallington said moving the trailer park would be a good opportunity to put more multi-family housing in its place.

Mayor Kelly Schofield told Rowe council would get back to him about the concept.

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