SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - After hearing a compelling presentation from a Calgary-based alternative energy consultant Monday, city council is considering whether to bring residents back to the polls, this time for a $99 million wind farm on Frame Lake.

Brent Ponokov, a wind farm specialist, came to city hall armed with conceptual drawings, a feasibility study and promises of powering the entire city with 30 wind turbines.

"Forget about geothermal heat for just the downtown core," he said. "Yellowknife doesn't need a new way to heat 39 downtown buildings, it needs a cleaner source of electricity. Why dig up the roads to install pipes for geothermal heat when you can install wind turbines around the lake?"

Ponokov was hired by the city in 2010 to research the viability of installing wind turbines in Yellowknife. Originally, he considered placing a turbine on the top of the Robertson headframe. Then he considered placing a wind farm at the now-defunct Giant Mine. But ultimately, after a year of research, he decided Frame Lake was the optimal location.

"We can place turbines along the trail," he suggested. "They won't be intrusive at all."

Councillors, although a bit gun shy after the Con Mine community energy system referendum was voted down on March 14, were enthralled by the idea.

"This is another great way for Yellowknife to be a role model," said one councillor. "Implementing any alternative energy is a move in the right direction."

Senior administrators encouraged council to accept a recommendation to move forward with the project by setting up a wind tower on the lake to collect data, ensuring Ponokov's research is correct.

"It's all part of doing our due diligence," said a senior city official.

If approved by council on April 11, a $1 million wind tower will be installed in May. After collecting and analyzing data for a year, the findings will be brought forward to council, who will then decide whether to bring the project to voters in a referendum.

If residents vote in favour of the city borrowing up to $99 million, the money would be used to purchase 30 wind turbines, which would be evenly dispersed along the popular walking trail.

"How fun," said one councillor. "It will be like a little obstacle course for our residents. And the resistance from the wind will make the walk an even better work out."

The project, like the proposed community energy project, would be revenue funded, meaning the $99 million loan would be repaid with revenue generated from power sales.

Ponokov said the business case is solid and the loan could be paid off within the century.

"I hope this isn't a joke," said one city councillor.

Happy April Fool's Day!

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.