Rec Centre Roof Threatens to Collapse

by Dan Davidson

Dawson’s City’s recreation centre has been shut down with the discovery that the roof support beams are twisting and deformed, apparently under the weight of the snow load.

The problem was discovered about mid-week during an evening’s curling, when participants noticed irregularities in the ceiling of the rink. Upon examination the next day the curling rink was closed, and this was extended to the entire structure on Friday, after the building inspector examined it.

City manager Scott Coulson confirmed that the town has been concerned about the roof structure since it took possession of the building. Last year’s experience was that it leaked, which it should not have been doing.

Now the concern is that the roof may not have been designed and built strongly enough to take Dawson’s snow load.

“I thought for sure it would have been designed to withstand snow,” Coulson said on Saturday, “but it’s pretty scary when you look at them - the beams are all just twisting. It’s very serious.”

The recreation department offices will have to be relocated.

“We have to get the snow off, but we need to have an engineer look at it to see if we can get the people up there to get the snow off.”

Roof issues were on the table during the recent arbitration hearings and will be again during the upcoming court case between the town and FSC, the engineering firm which designed the building.

Coulson doesn’t know if the building can be made safe before next winter.

“Obviously we don’t have a million dollars to change the roof, which is what it cost according to one estimate.”

Supervisor Freezes Dawson’s Accounts

by Dan Davidson

YTG Supervisor Andre Carrel has frozen Dawson City’s bank accounts as of Friday, March 19.

“He has contacted the banks,” said city manager Scott Coulson, “and told them not to let any cheques go through without his signature on them.”

Councillor Joanne Van Nostrand was blunt in her response on Saturday afternoon.

“I think it’s a significant over reaction ... in response to council not following his direction on the garbage contract.”

Council put out a Request for Proposals in January to generate options for improving garbage collection service in the town. The first level of response, needed in case anything else was too expensive, was to maintain the current level of service, which Mayor Glen Everitt said was not actually a plan council wanted to implement.

There have been numerous complaints and requests from the business sector and the residential sector about the current level of service, Everitt said on Friday. The RFP was about moving to a higher level of service, he said, for dealing with recyclables and cleaning up some of the high traffic areas in the town.

In addition, the town had done a survey of usage to find out who the heaviest users of the system were. It turned out that restaurants generate the most refuse, so their rates were to be increased, along with some other increases that have been discussed with the members of the Chamber of Commerce.

Dealing with these items was the second phase of the proposals.

One of the three proponents dropped out on the first level. The bid by Edgar Blattler had the lowest price at that level. On the next level, however, the lowest bids came from the incumbent contractor, Callison Waste Management, which actually submitted two plans with bids lower than his competition.

The contract was let on that basis. Supervisor Carrel, who had not been in communication with Dawson for about three weeks at that point, contacted city offices a few days later to tell them to rescind the award and give the contract to Blattler.

Carrel has referred to council’s choice as a “Cadillac” plan which exceeds the restrictions of the financial plan, even though the budget line for waste management remains the same. He has complained about raising rates for businesses, even though president of the Chamber of Commerce endorsed the plan on March 16.

“I’m extremely comfortable (with the contract),” Van Nostrand said. “I think we’re within the guidelines of the financial plan.

“I think we went through it very thoroughly and made the decision - a very good decision.”

Van Nostrand said that Carrel was asked if he wanted to look at the details of the Request for Proposals plan that was published in the local paper on January 13.

“He stated that he wasn’t interested in the details.”

As for how the town is to operate if Carrel must approve all expenses, Van Nostrand doesn’t know how this is to work.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to find out any of the details or what the procedure is going to be,” she said.

DAWSON OLD-TIMERS TAKE SILVER IN JUNEAU HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

On the weekend of Feb.27 players, wives and fans flew by charter to Juneau to participate in the second annual Rain Forest Classic Old-timer Hockey Tournament. Eight teams, including teams from Fairbanks, Whitehorse, Mt Lorne, Anchorage, Juneau and SE Alaska took part in play at the newly built Treadwell Arena. Dawson went unbeaten in the round-robin defeating Fairbanks, Whitehorse and Anchorage. In the Sunday morning gold medal game, Dawson City came up against the home-town favorites, the Juneau All-Stars and lost an exciting game 3-1. All had a great time, with lots of contacts made, lots of sea-food eaten, and lots of fun. Plans are already being made to return next year.

The Dawson City Old-timers would like to thank the people who helped out in our tournament on the weekend of Feb.21. A big thanks to Rick Reimer and Chuck Barber who made repairs to the Zamboni when our backs were against the wall. Thanks as well to Rob Billings for keeping the ice in such great shape!

Dawson City Old-timer Hockey

Community Support High for Minor Hockey

For the past two weeks Minor Hockey Players have been canvassing the community for pledge money towards a Skate-A-Thon. Saturday, March 13th was the start of a very busy day for players and parents.

Rod Dewell organized a mass start and a total of 37 skaters took to the ice between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Twenty ­nine of the skaters came off the ice very red-faced but on a rush, as they had completed the 200 laps. When the skaters finished their laps they were given a token for a free hot dog, and drink courtesy of Minor Hockey. Each skater received a special “200 Lap Club Card” and all went home with a gift from the door prize draws.

Special prizes were given out for the following:

1. Grand Prize - Team Canada Jersey Most Individual Money Collected Jasmine Kaytor

2. First Skater to Complete 200 Laps- Hockey Lamp - Ted Hunter

3. Most Determined Skaters ­ Vancouver Canucks Jersey / Picture fames & Hockey Light Switch Avery Bramadant & Makitlia Blanchard

4. Youngest Skater ­ T-Shirt Caleb Verdonk ­ 4 years of age

5. Oldest Skater ­ Austin Taylor

There was a tie for the most family members ­ the Keaton and Kaytor families had 3 minor hockey players skating.

Many thanks to the parents and volunteers who counted laps for the skaters and supplied the skaters with drinks and encouragement.

While the skaters were busy working hard on the ice the process of reviewing pledge sheets and tallying money began. It became evident that community members gave generously to this event. A Fundraising Financial Statement has been prepared and is posted on the Arena bulletin boards. For those community members who may have pledges to be paid a donation notice was sent.

The players and parents greatly appreciate the support given.

A special note of thanks for the donations that were received:

Adam Morrison Team Canada Jersey

City of Dawson ­ Recreation Centre T-Shirt five 10 day skate passes

Northern Metallic 3 Pair orange reflector gloves

Aurora Bookkeeping Free Printing for the 200 Lap Club Cards

Margaret VanDusen Metallic Pen

Callison Waste Management Donation for Wolf Pack Ice Time and Skate a Thon

To finish off the day a Pot Luck Supper and Awards presentation was held at the YOOP Hall. A thank you is extended to Dawson Bonanza Esso and Rod Dewell for arranging medals and certificates through the Esso Canada Hockey Promotional Program. Medal categories were:

Most Dedicated, Most Sportmanlike, Most Improved. As many of the Coaches were playing in their own league playoffs, Chris Johnson attended and presented awards to the players.

As a thank you to the coaches, certificates and a small gift were arranged. On behalf of the players and parents, Chief Darren Taylor presented Chris with his certificate. In addition two parents were recognized for their volunteering on the ice during the season. Chief Taylor presented certificates to Torrie Hunter and Robert Keaton for being available to strap on the skates and help.

Dawson Minor Hockey received a huge boost when our community was selected for the Donated Hockey Equipment Program. Thank you to the City of Dawson for submitting the proposal. This resulted in giving additional children the opportunity to try the sport. It was a tremendous success!

Dawson Minor Hockey had 53 children registered in the program this year. The turn out for practices and games remained high. Must of this was due to the excellent volunteer coaches who stepped forward to give of their time and skills.

Thanks and appreciation is extended to:

Ryan Hack

Douglas Johnson

Jason Flegel

Mike Fraser

Chris Johnson

Jason Barber

Hannah Dewell

We would like to send a special note of thanks to Robert Billings (?) , and the Rec Centre Staff for their support and excellent maintenance of the ice. Your ability to problem solve and keep the ice surface useable for the longest period of time is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to volunteers such as Rod Dewell who has been tending to the finances and filing all needed registration forms Minor Hockey is again a solid program in Dawson. We look forward to continued growth.