Group of Yellowknifers aim to put Tin Can Hill at centre of municipal campaign

Yellowknifers opposed to development on Tin Can Hill are urging residents to consider voting for city council candidates who say they'd protect the large green space downtown.

"There are big problems that Yellowknife faces and our city doesn't seem equipped to handle them," said Tyler Morehouse, a regular Tin Can Hill visitor.

"This is one issue which I think the city can quite easily address, so long as people who are elected … are responsive to residents."

After Aurora College proposed building a polytechnic university campus on Tin Can Hill, Yellowknife residents who want to preserve the area began organizing on social media.

An online petition to protect Tin Can Hill from development, which was started by a CBC North employee, has more than 1,500 signatures. 

Morehouse compiled names of candidates who reported they'd want to preserve Tin Can Hill, candidates who might protect the area, and candidates who "will probably probably destroy Tin Can Hill." 

He posted the complete list in the Tin Can Hill Facebook group, where members have been sharing information and opinions about development of the area. The group, which is administered by a CBC North employee, has 230 members. 

Tin Can Hill is a large, natural space between downtown and Yellowknife Bay. The city-owned land comprises a network of trails, swim spots and the water treatment plant. It's beloved by joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and nature lovers. 

But the area is set for a major transformation.

Last June, the City of Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories government and Aurora College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) confirming Tin Can Hill as the intended site for a polytechnic university campus.

The MOU says the goal is to transfer the Tin Can Hill land from the city to the territory by March 31, 2023. 

But, as Tin Can Hill defenders point out, the MOU is not legally binding, and the door is still open for city council to walk away from the proposed development. 

A city spokesperson confirmed that the territory hasn't yet filed its land transfer application.

Jennifer Broadbridge hikes, bikes, runs and goes bird watching on Tin Can Hill.