The City of Yellowknife and its partners have been awarded $250,000 after making the shortlist for the Smart Cities prize, which rewards innovation that makes cities more livable through technology. Ecology North partnered with the city, Northland Utilities and White Arkitekter, vying for a chance to retrofit on city streetlights and incorporate dimming technology to darken city skies and promote aurora tourism.
The pilot project will also incorporate technology like WiFi and electric vehicle charging stations in Old Town from School Draw Avenue and down Franklin Avenue, or a portion of Frame Lake Trail and 49 Avenue.
The lighting automatically adjusts when streets are being used, resulting in saved energy and darker skies.
– Avery Zingel
GNWT to study YZF hotel
The GNWT may build an airport hotel in Yellowknife.
The government is seeking a contractor to study the feasibility of a hotel by the airport and to possibly put together a formal funding proposal.
"As the central hub for passenger travel in the NWT and various regions of Nunavut, YZF (Yellowknife Airport) sees many passengers that require accommodations during nightly layovers," reads the request for proposals posted last week.
"In response to this requirement and the limited availability of hotel rooms in Yellowknife during peak tourism seasons, the Yellowknife Airport would like to have an assessment completed to determine the potential feasibility for a hotel development on lands near the Yellowknife Airport."
The Yellowknife Airport is owned and operated by the GNWT.
Bids on the project are due on June 25.
– Sidney Cohen
Dump blast shakes area
A large bang was followed by a cloud of smoke rising from near the City of Yellowknife's solid waste facility around 4 p.m. Saturday.
A sign on the locked front gates of the facility read: "Closed due to blasting," indicating that the blasts were scheduled ahead of time.
Reports indicate that the blasting was scheduled to create new gravel for the city, however, these reports could not be confirmed.
Yellowknifer contacted the City of Yellowknife but had not received a response as of press time.
– Dylan Short
Free community BBQ moves indoors
Mayor Mark Heyck and council are hosting the city's annual Community Barbecue tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Due to rain, the event will now be at the Multiplex, stated a news release yesterday
The celebration is open to the public and free to attend.
The barbecue includes children's activities, a bouncy castle and a live comedy performance from the 2018 Comedy for Quality of Life tour.
The comedy show begins at 6:30 p.m.
"The Community Barbecue provides a fun opportunity for council to interact with Yellowknifers in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Come by for a burger and a laugh," stated Heyck.
– James O'Connor