There is no easy solution for what to do with the downtown 50/50 lot.
That was the message from consulting company Theia Partners when it presented findings of a study on how to revitalize the city's downtown core to city councilors this week.
"There are not any obvious public uses with funding ready to take advantage of the site and develop it in a way that would be a major benefit to the city and to the downtown," stated the report.
The group laid out five steps to help make the property more attractive to potential buyers.
These steps included having lawyers look at the site to make sure the site can be developed, "upzoning" the property, meaning that the city would essentially make the property available to be used in a greater number of ways and to be realistic with what the site can be used for.
City administrators will now review the report and bring recommendations to councillors at a later date.
– Dylan Short
Low test results in schools – especially outside of Yk
The latest Alberta Achievement Test results are showing low grades, especially outside of Yellowknife and regional centres
"The results aren't what you hope for them to be," said John Stewart, director of teaching and learning for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
The Alberta Achievement Tests, in Math and English Language Arts, are given to students in Grade 6 and in Grade 9.
– Tim Edwards
Terra X strikes several new gold zones
Mining company Terra X has found high-grade gold around the city as part of the Yellowknife City Gold Project.
Exploration north of Giant Mine, on the company's Northbelt property are several stretches of land with high amounts of gold per tonne, stated a release from Terra X.
During the three additional searches near the old Ptarmigan Mine, it found high amounts of gold.
The company bought the old Ptarmigan property earlier this year.
"This is a very encouraging indicator that there is more gold where Giant Mine used to be," stated Terra X strategic and engagement advisor David Connelly.
The next step for Terra X would be to start drilling around the Ptarmigan Mine and Gull Lake Zone areas to determine whether there is enough gold to open a mine.
Terra X is preparing to obtain a permit for approval to drill.
– Michael Hugall
Environment volunteers needed at folk festival
A few more volunteers are needed to join Ecology North's environment team at Folk on the Rocks from July 20 to 22.
Help the festival divert waste from the landfill and be more sustainable, and qualify for great perks.
For more information on what shifts are still available, contact Bryan at bryan@ecologynorth.ca or call 873-6019.
– James O'Connor
Aurora College wants to clear air
Aurora College is looking to help people kick smoking habits on all of its campuses, says interim president Jeff O'Keefe.
The college is continuing to follow a trend set by other Canadian institutions, after the Non-Smokers' Rights Association released a report in 2011 to stop smoking on campuses.
"Students are less likely to smoke if they attend a school that prohibits smoking as part of a comprehensive tobacco policy, and if they perceive tobacco policies to be well enforced," stated the report.
"Benefits include an enhanced institutional profile as a socially responsible community leader ... (and) a safer and healthier environment for everyone."
Aurora College's intent isn't about just to ban smoking.
"This is not a ban on smoking," said O'Keefe. "This is about the college taking a holistic approach to becoming a healthier organization."
O'Keefe added the goal would be to transition all three of the college's campuses (Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife) as soon as possible.
However, he added the resources just aren't there to do that.
"Every campus needs its own consideration," he said. "We can't just go in to a campus and say you can't smoke ... we are taking (the transition) slowly.
"We don't want to implement it in a way that is disrespectful to our students."
"Over the last few years we've been holding programs focused around the all-around health of our students," said O'Keefe.
"We know that healthy lifestyles and physical health are factors in student success and we want the best for our students."
– Michael Hugall
Win Your Space YK jury named
The fate of thirteen semi-finalists vying to turn their dream business into a reality is now in the hands of seven jurors selected to oversee the next round of Win Your Space YK.
Gillian Lee, Rob Warburton, Mellisa Mercredi, Kyle Thomas, Sheila Conroy, Jonathan Renko and Gabe Powless will decide the winner of the 2018 competition, which aims to encourage small business growth while "providing access to useful network connections and resources, as well as revitalizing the downtown area which currently shows the highest commercial vacancy rate in
Yellowknife," stated a news release from the city.
In a bid to bolster small business and fill empty storefronts downtown, winners of the contest – backed by the city, Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, Business Development of Bank of Canada, the NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation and the GNWT – receive leased store spaces as prizes.
Seiji Suzuki of Ja-Pain and Sarah Kalnay-Watson of Let Me Knot snagged business spaces in last year's Win Your Space YK.
Jurors were picked for their "diverse backgrounds" in business and the community, including their first hand experience launching and running a downtown business.
"This year's jury will be faced with difficult decisions as they evaluate the business plans put forward by the semi-finalists," stated Mayor Mark Heyck.
"With diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, I am confident this jury of seven community members is well equipped for the task at hand."
The semi-finalists will submit a final business plan to the jury after participating in six free business development workshops.
Winners will be announced on Aug. 23.
– Brendan Burke
Fish samples needed
Help the GNWT collect fish samples for testing.
The GNWT, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is studying the extent of contamination in the environment from former mining operations around Yellowknife, stated a news release.
A human health risk assessment is being done to help understand the potential effects of legacy contamination on people who have cabins, and hunt, fish and do recreational activities, such as hiking and camping, around Yellowknife.
An analysis of available data found limited information on fish from inland lakes around Yellowknife.
A voluntary community fish sampling program will help to address this data gap. Wanted are fish samples from Walsh, Banting, Prosperous, Prelude, River, Pontoon, Madeline, Ryan and Landing lakes.
Each of the fish samples should be about the size of the palm of your hand. Samples should be flesh with as little bone as possible, but can have skin left on.
Each sample should be stored separately in sealed Ziploc freezer bags, and double bagged, if possible.
All samples should be put on ice when caught, and handed in the same day, if possible. Samples can be frozen if extra time is needed.
Drop off samples at the North Slave regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 3803 Bretzlaff Dr. in Yellowknife during regular business hours.
– James O'Connor
Transforming transformer boxes into works of art
The streets of Yellowknife are about to be a little more colourful thanks to a returning art initiative backed by city and Northland Utilities.
For the third year, Yellowknife artists will transform transformer boxes into residential canvases, giving the common green power distributors a painterly face-lift, stated a news release.
This year, 15 artists will take their paint brushes to 14 transformer boxes throughout the city, resurfacing the standard paint job with fresh artistic designs.
Yellowknifers wishing to weigh in on designs can have their say during meetups with artists at the transformer box locations at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 15.
A list of artists involved in the initiative and the locations of the boxes can be accessed on the city's website.
"Our partnership with Northland Utilities provides a great opportunity to support local artists and to turn the green boxes into colourful pieces of art," stated Mayor Mark Heyck.
The soon-to-be pained additions will join 27 other transformer and traffic light control boxes that have become commonplace across the city.
– Brendan Burke