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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Two public spaces in and around Yellowknife have been nominated in a Canada-wide competition put on by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Lydia Smith, Mildred Hall School educational assistant takes a spot on a bench at the Somba K'e Civic Plaza waterfront on Tuesday afternoon to wait for a friend. Smith said the plaza is perfect for Mildred Hall students, offering an extra outdoor space, and a good spot for city events. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo

Somba K'e Civic Plaza and Blanchet Island were entered into the third-annual Great Places in Canada contest by anonymous Yellowknifers who wrote proud statements boasting about the natural beauty of the Island, and the accessibility and versatility of the plaza.

"It's a great opportunity for students to have that extra outdoor space," said Lydia Smith, an educational assistant at Mildred Hall School which isn't far from the plaza. "I've been here on my own three or four times, and I really like the waterfront. I'm glad the city has a place this nice downtown to use for the farmers' market and stuff like that."

Jonathan Andrews, a father of two, said Somba K'e is a great spot for his young daughters to play. He also said that while he's got a bit of a grudge against Blanchet Island lately due to bad fishing luck, he still visits the spot often.

"It's a good chance to get out in the middle of nowhere. It's leisurely," said Andrews.

The two places are the only areas from all three territories to be entered in the competition.

In order to vote, Somba K'e and Blanchet Island enthusiasts need only go to the Great Places in Canada website, open the profile page and click on 'Vote.' Voting can be done once a day until Sept. 23. The votes will add to the final decision made by a panel of professional planners.

As of Wednesday, Somba K'e had 937 votes and Blanchet Island had eight.

In light of the nominations, Yellowknifer asked to resident which other places were well-loved around the city.

"I really love the Old Town boat launch," said Smith, who has been in Yellowknife for six years. "I just find it's really peaceful to walk down there and see the water, and the houseboats."

Guy Quenneville, who moved to Yellowknife six years ago, said his favourite spot is the Frame Lake trail.

"It's just the right length, takes an hour-and-a-half to go around," he said. "On one side, there is the nice path where you can see other Yellowknife residents, and the other half is a nice isolated area for walking."

For Albert Lebrun, the beach at Long Lake is the best outdoor place in Yellowknife.

"It's a place to hang out, to swim, and to enjoy the day," he said. "The thing that would make it better would be lifeguards."

Nominations can be made until Sept. 3. Anyone who wants to submit a Yellowknife location can do so through the Great Places in Canada website. Nominations must be accompanied by at least one photo.

More than 200,000 people voted in the 2012 competition and chose the best street, best neighborhood, and best public place which the two local areas have been nominated for. There were also People's Choice winners in each category.

The winning street, neighbourhood or public place announced in November will be presented with a plaque by CIP, and the person who nominated it will win an Asus Nexus Multi-Touch Display Tablet. There is also a People's Choice award and the nominator will win a Canon Powershot camera bundle.

Last year's winner for Best Public Place was the Cape Forchu Lighthouse in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

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