Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Great Slave Yacht Club would like to see the development of a public paddling and rowing park on Wiley Road.

They believe the NWT Floatplane Association's suggestion of a float plane dock would only increase the level of risk and liability.

The club believes that Latham Island already gives more than enough space, and the club's vice-commodore, Richard Rozestraten, said that mixing the two is not safe.

“In this day and age to have such a high concentration of marine vessels in that area for decades, 30 or 40 years ago, there were commercial float planes in Back Bay,” he said. “The marine environment is such that if you try and mix two very conflicting activities, commercial or private, it’s just not tenable.”

Rozestraten said the club wants to help the city to keep the area a public spot.

“The club is happy to assist the city in developing this land for public access,” he said. “We’ve been building docks and managing yacht clubs and marinas for many years.”

The club believes the city's development of the paddling and rowing park would further enhance safe, low impact, environmentally friendly marine activities on Back Bay.

CJCD Mix 100 News