Hospital builders pitch 150-person camp near Fieldhouse, and councillors like it

After rejecting the idea of a temporary work camp in Yellowknife's Kam Lake area last month, city councillors reacted warmly to the idea of a smaller camp located much closer to downtown — and away from residential areas. 

The companies building Yellowknife's new $300-million hospital pitched three options for a considerably scaled-down camp to a special municipal services committee meeting at noon on Monday.

Scaled down, Dave Brothers of Clark Builders explained, because several landlords have recently come forward, presenting accommodation for about 100 of the skilled tradespeople needed to complete the project. That means the new camp would have to accommodate 150 people rather than the 250 initially proposed. 

Two of the proposed camp locations are along Cameron Road in the Kam Lake neighbourhood near Taltheilei Drive.

But it was the third option — just behind the city's Fieldhouse — that piqued the interest of city councillors.

That's where the company envisions a kitchen, diner and camp office, along with dorms for 150 people, recreation and fitness facilities and laundry facilities.

While it would be considerably more expensive to build a camp on that site — currently untouched rocks and trees — the location would give workers better access to local amenities, such as bars and restaurants, as well being close to the work site, said Rod Carson, project manager.

The site could later be used as RV overflow parking, Carson suggested. 

Councillors in favour

Nearly all of the councillors present voiced their support for the idea. 

Councillor Adrian Bell said the new proposal answered many of his previous concerns, and showed that the builders and the city are "trying to do our best to make sure we can integrate this into the community as much as possible."

"I think it'll encourage people to get out of the camp and spend some of their dollars in Yellowknife," said Mayor Mark Heyck. "And also give the city and community the opportunity to use that developed land for future use and ultimately save taxpayers some dollars."

As for the site's eventual permanent use, Heyck said that would be up to city council, but did note that "the area is also in close proximity to Kam Lake so it certainly has a variety of potential recreational uses."

Shauna Morgan, Linda Bussey, Niels Konge and Steve Payne also expressed support for pursuing the idea. 

Coun. Rommel Silverio said he would consult with constituents before making a decision. Julian Morse was not present.

Still room for Det'on Cho Corp.

Monday's pitch follows news that the company had been in talks with the Yellowknives Dene's Det'on Cho Corporation about building a work camp near Dettah, about 11 kilometres outside of the city.

Brothers said he expects there may still be room for work with the Det'on Cho Corp., such as a catering contract.

The tender to run the camp has already been awarded to Empire Camp Services of Edmonton, Brothers said. It expects to use about 80 per cent local labour to establish and maintain the camp.

Making the plan official will mean city council has to reconsider its May 24 decision that turned down the original 250-person work camp proposal. Councillors expect to do so at the next city council meeting June 27.

According to Mayor Heyck, the proposed zoning change could theoretically pass second and third reading by mid-July — if there are no objections.

"I do think that this project is good for Yellowknife," said Coun. Niels Konge. "The faster it gets going, the more doctors are gonna move here, the more houses they're going to need and I think that is beneficial to everybody."