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'It's become sort of an icon' Residents plead to have Robertson Headframe preserved as vote on demolition approaches
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, August 31, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
With less than two weeks before council votes on whether or not to put the fate of the Robertson Headframe in the hands of Newmont Mining Corp., some residents are making one final plea to prevent its demolition.
Residents are calling for the preservation of the Robertson Headframe less than two weeks before the city votes on whether to allow Newmont Mining Corp. to demolish the structure. The city has said that over the past five years it has explored options for preserving the structure but that it could not come up with any feasible solutions. - NNSL file photo
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"I know that they have made some effort and I know that the mayor is in favour of keeping it, but let's take one more crack at it," said Yvonne Quick. "If it wasn't for mining, Yellowknife would not exist."
Quick was given the city's Heritage Award in 2010 for her commitment to promoting Northern aviation and mining history.
Quick pointed out that the headframe – which was first put into operation in 1977 and to this day stands as the highest man made structure in the NWT at 76 M – is more than just a monument to Yellowknife's rich mining heritage.
"It has value as a beacon if you're flying or if you're boating or even if you're hiking. The boaters use it all the time, the airplanes use it," said Quick. "I think we should find a way to keep it."
Norah Higden actually remembers the story of a girl who was camping with some friends about ten years ago. The girl ended up getting separated from her friends and was lost on the land.
"She was out there and it was the Robertson shaft the gave her hope and helped guide her back to Yellowknife," said Higden. "The Robertson Shaft saved her life."
Higden also has a strong emotional attachment to the headframe. She worked as the hoist operator at the top of the elevator shaft for 23 years and was the second ever female to have that job in the NWT.
"I'd be very upset," said Higden. "It would just be shameful to tear it down."
Higden understands that many of the suggestions for maintaining the building were unfeasible. However she believes the headframe remains an invaluable resource.
"I don't see why we can't let the tourists go up there,"said Higden, who added she used to take tourists to the top of the headframe while she was hoist operator there.
"It's a great view. You can see Great Slave, you can see the North Arm, you can see all of Yellowknife."
She says that taking the headframe down would deprive future generations of the opportunity to experience the landscape the way she did for 23 years.
"I've seen the most fantastic sunsets and sunrises. It's just spectacular up there," said Higden.
Michael Vaydik also has strong ties to the headframe. His father was a prospector who moved to Yellowknife after the war and he has spent his whole life in mineral exploration across Canada.
Not only was Vaydik raised in a mining family in Yellowknife, he was actually born at the Con Mine hospital.
"I grew up in the mining industry like most people my age did," said Vaydik.
Vaydik worked in mineral exploration until he retired and is now the vice-president of the NWT Heritage Mining Society.
He says Yellowknife owes more than just it's mining heritage to the mines. According to Vaydik, both Giant and Con Mine were instrumental in creating the community and multi-cultural spirit that are so characteristic of the city.
"In the summer you could walk down the street down at the Con Mine site and hear five or ten languages in a block," said Vaydik, remembering his childhood growing up near the mine.
"Not only did the mines provide three generations of Yellowknifers with a living, they also contributed to the strong sense of community that exists today."
Vaydik says despite their efforts, neither the Mining Heritage Society or the city's Heritage Committee have been able to come up with a way to save the structure.
"We've brainstormed with the Mining Heritage Society and the Heritage Committee about how it might be put to use and saved, but we frankly can't come up with a use for it," said Vaydik.
Vaydik has resigned himself to the fact that the demolition is inevitable
"It's a little sad to see it go," said Vaydik. "It's a fantastic structure, it's become sort of an icon,"
Even with the odds stacked against them, neither Quick or Higden are willing to give up just yet.
Higden says she plans to speak against the demolition of the headframe at the next council meeting.
Meanwhile Quick wants the city to know that money should not be an object in preserving such an important heritage site.
"I think the city has spent money foolishly before," said Quick. "If people think it's foolish then let's do it anyway. Let's keep it as a heritage site."
Quick warned that removing the headframe would erase an important part of Yellowknife's past.
"When we finish with the mines around town there will be no indication that there was ever a mine here of any kind. We should keep the Robertson Headframe for that reason."
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