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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Government Dock has undergone a marked transformation over the past year.

Instead of hordes of illegally parked cars that have been a feature of the dock for the past decade, those who stroll down to the area will find a cordoned off park area with picnic tables, concrete planters and garbage bins.

Old Town resident Peter Arychuk says he is unsure whether the city's plans to promote Government Dock as a public space will work. He said "It's such a short season, I don’t see why we can't all get along." - Cody Punter/NNSL photo

The change in scenery is all part of the city's final concept plans for re-vamping Government Dock and Pilot's Monument, which were unveiled at a public viewing at city hall last Thursday. These are the first two projects to receive capital funding.

Peter Spearey, the landscape architect from Edmonton hired by the city to redesign the two sites, said fencing off the area by government dock is part of a pilot project that would allow residents to experience the site as a public space before any final plans are made.

"The site has many competing needs that we want to test," said Spearey, "We've had the tell, now it's time to show,"

Spearey added that the current phase of the project allows for adjustments to be made in order to suit users' needs.

"If we do not have it right, we'll make it right," he said.

Thursday's viewing was the third public event held by the city to showcase its plans to redesign the public spaces around Pilot's Monument and Government Dock. According to the city's planning and development director, Jeff Humble, the budget for the two sites, including design fees, is $600,000.

Of the two projects, only the dock is currently undergoing a pilot-project phase. According to Spearey, that is because getting the design right for Government Dock presents the bigger challenge of the two projects.

"What we've been trying to do all along is strike a balance between the need for the dock to remain a working dock with access for boaters and fisherman, while also recognizing that there's an interest in the public being able to use the space for events or just go there on a sunny afternoon and hang out," said Spearey.

Spearey said part of the proposed plan includes putting a small concrete stage where the picnic benches are, which could be used for concerts and summer festivals like Ramble and Ride.

For the most part, residents were pleased to see the cars removed from the area, and looked forward to seeing the space used.

"I think it's a good first step. It's the first time in a decade that there hasn't been wall-to-wall cars here," said Wayne Guy who owns a property at the dock and also a board member for Ramble and Ride.

"It certainly gives the site back to the public which is great."

Longtime Yellowknife resident Yvonne Quick was also positive about the idea.

"From a practical standpoint it's great, because it will be all cleaned up and people will get to use it," she said.

However, some people, particularly those who use the space to access the water, are concerned that making the dock a multi-use site, will detract from its function as a dock.

"I'm concerned that there isn't enough room for people that need to load and unload, and use the dock as a working dock," said Lorna Dosso, who lives in Old Town.

"The lanes seem to narrow and I can't imagine traffic being able to flow appropriately given the different types and sizes of vehicles, and with all the trucks and cranes."

Old Town resident Peter Arychuk, who was unloading oil drums onto a barge, said he did not have any problems pulling in his truck, but added that if there was more traffic, then the narrow one-way street created by the fenced off area could become problematic.

"Is it a dock or a public space?" asked the Air Tindi co-founder, who has been working on the Old Town docks for 35 years. Although he did not have a problem loading his barge, Arychuk suggested that there were already lots of public spaces in Yellowknife that rarely see use.

"There's only so much waterfront. And really how many people come down here?"

While Arychuk was skeptical about the pilot project he said that he would have to see what the final product looked like before making his final judgment. "Maybe it'll be perfect," he said, adding, "It's such a short season I don't see why we can't all get along."

Far less controversial are the city's plans to transform the area at the bottom of Pilot's Monument into what Spearey calls "a passive green space." This will involve planting gardens, building a natural wooden playground, as well as designing a small gathering space that can be used for public events and memorial services.

Spearey said the city will be improving the parking area and upgrading the trail from the monument down to the Wildcat Cafe. It will also be building a small parking lot beside the Wildcat.

"I think they're both great," said Quick of the proposed improvements. "I'm glad they're doing something."

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