SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
City council took a knife to administration's 2016 proposed capital spending, eliminating more than $1.3 million Wednesday, including the mayor's dream of an outdoor splash park.

The city's budget chief, director of corporate services Jeff Dalley, hands out information to Coun. Niels Konge at the beginning of a municipal services committee meeting Wednesday during capital budget deliberations. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

Cuts made so far - talks were continuing Thursday evening after press time - included resurfacing and widening the McMahon Frame Lake Trail, a multi-sport surface for the Fieldhouse, an Old Town tourism kiosk, solar panels for the Fieldhouse, software to track bylaw officers and a fire safety house.

Council scrapped several community energy plan projects and instead moved up to 2016 the installation of a wood pellet boiler for the Multiplex and Fieldhouse, increasing the cost envisioned for next year's energy plan spending.

With the added expense of the boiler and several other small changes, council had reduced the $17.9 million capital plan by more than $240,000 on Wednesday.

Council was going project by project, repeatedly asked why various things were proposed and sought to find out whether they were actually needed, or just wanted.

There was a sharp exchange over the planned purchase of a pump to water grass at the Lakeview Cemetery. Mayor Mark Heyck called Coun. Niels Konge out of line for questioning whether the estimated $105,000 cost in the budget was accurate.

The draft budget came with a 2.87 per cent property tax increase, something councillors are trying to get to zero.

The biggest cut came almost three hours into the meeting when Coun. Julian Morse proposed, and Coun. Rommel Silverio seconded, cutting the $570,000 plan for a 3,000-square-foot splash park near Somba K'e Civic Plaza. It was an item added to the budget by Heyck after school children presented the idea to him.

Morse said he recognized the value of the idea but said funds are limited.

"At this time I don't think it's practical for Yellowknife," Silverio said, adding he knows his own children will be upset about the decision.

"I was torn by this project because I think it would be a nice want but I think it's very expensive. I know we got a lot of e-mails against it," said Coun. Linda Bussey.

Councillors said a splash park-like project could be an option to be considered for a renovated or expanded pool facility.

In a rare move, Heyck temporarily handed off his non-voting chairmanship to the deputy mayor so he could comment and vote.

"I think one of the most important roles that municipal government has and city council has is supporting quality of life in your community and I think that's ultimately what this project

was about," he said.

He said arguments against the idea - such as it being expensive, not being needed now and the limited time it would be usable - were used when council was considering Somba K'e Civic Plaza beside city hall, criticisms he said he no longer hears.

"I think there would be multiple benefits and I've heard from a lot of young people that they'd like to see this," Heyck said.

To end his speech, the mayor read a letter from an unnamed child.

"'At the spray park, kids can have lots of fun. It's good to be jolly. If no one will be happy, Yellowknife will be grouchy place. Yellowknife has lots of room by city hall. It's right by the police station, so nothing can go wrong ... Almost every city in Canada has a spray park. Yellowknife should have a spray park as well,'" Heyck said.

Councillors said they felt bad about cutting the project but choices had to be made.

"I'm feeling quite terrible about having to make it. But this is what we sign up for, not to make easy decisions," Morse said.

"I have two young kids as well and I know tomorrow they're not going to be happy with me," said Coun. Steve Payne.

Councillors suggested the idea could come back if the mayor secures grants and sponsors for the project. Heyck was the only vote against cutting the project.

Council unanimously voted in favour of deputy mayor Rebecca Alty's motion to cut the $190,000 Fieldhouse multi-use sports floor.

Morse suggested administration look at getting better turf to try and improve use

of the Fieldhouse.

At Monday's council meeting, the public had the chance to provide input on the budget.

Velma Sterenberg didn't mince her words. She told council to drop the splash pad and instead spend more on protection from wildfires and climate change.

"There won't be too many families enjoying a spray park when the city burns to the ground because it has not implemented suitable fire smart protocols," Sterenberg said.

Andrew Fox and Joe Acorn with the Yellowknife Bay Soccer Club both objected to a multi-purpose floor at the Fieldhouse, which they fear would reduce playing time for soccer. They said there were better ways to increase use and said their group should have been consulted before the removable floor was placed in the budget.

About 40 people, mainly young soccer players and their families, filled council chambers as the two spoke.

Mike Reddy in an e-mailed submission urged the city and MLAs to focus more on tackling homelessness and addictions to drugs and alcohol. He said any revitalization plan for the city core will fail without those issues being tackled.

"Businesses are failing because nobody wants to shop where they will be subjected to unpleasant interactions with addicts," Reddy wrote.

The budget is scheduled to go to council for final approval Monday evening.

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