40 years ago
Aside from landscaping, the only work left to be done on the Wildcat Cafe was the passing of city inspections.
Manager of the cafe and a member of the Old Stope Association Andi Gedye told council, “that the Old Stope foresees a fall opening for the Wildcat.”
The cafe had been closed since 1951 and was due for demolition until a group of local residents formed a group called the Old Stope Association with the aim of preserving the building.
They reopened the Wildcat Cafe as a summer restaurant in 1979.
30 years ago
Expansion of the Yellowknife Airport had begun. Construction workers had started to excavate, said airport manager Bob Barrdell but no disruptions to the public were expected.
The work was all happening north of the airport building within a secure area and work would continue throughout the winter.
Klein Construction of Edmonton was contracted to do the $7.6 million job and work would be completed the next spring.
Airline ticket booths, public waiting areas, the hold room, baggage claim and car rental booths were constructed first.
After the expansion was completed, the old terminal was turned into a building for administrators.
The restaurant, washrooms, administration and civil aviation office, Transport Canada offices and a VIP lounge on the second floor was completed in 1990.
20 years ago
Yellowknife city councilor Cheryl Best made a point of welcoming Victoria, B.C. based Sirius Diamonds to Yellowknife.
The company had received approval to set up a diamond cutting and polishing facility in the city.
It was expected to create 30 jobs within two years with the possibility growing to 50 jobs as time went on.
Best also praised the work of the GNWT in cementing the deal.
10 years ago
The old Negus Mine house on 55 Street would become the first house designated as a heritage site in Yellowknife.
City councillor Mark Heyck who also sat on the Heritage Committee said, “It's extremely important to have a range of heritage sites.”
The house “maintains all of its original 1940's design styles, including windows, doors and even the old asbestos,” stated the Heritage Committee in its proposal.
Coun. David McCann, thought that kind of direction was healthy from a tourism perspective as well because the house represented a unique period.
The house was set to become the city's tenth heritage building. Other heritage structures included the Wildcat Cafe, the Canadian Pacific Float Base, Weaver and Devore, the Hudson Bay Warehouse, the Back Bay Cemetery, Fireweed Studio, the Old Log House, the Bank of Toronto building and the post office.
“We don't have a long record of being here – only 75 years,” remarked Mayor Gord Van Tighem.