Art, crosswalks, action sports among 2026 Yellowknife budget asks

Mary Buckland of the NWT Art Centre Initiative says of 185 recurring artist residencies north of 60, just one is in the NWT.

The group, which is working to develop an art centre in Yellowknife, is asking City Hall to commit $25,000 in its 2026 budget toward an artist-in-residence program.

“An artist residency in Yellowknife would provide spaces for artists to develop and share their skills and networks as well as provide opportunities for the public to engage with the arts sector,” Buckland told councillors on Monday night.

“Residencies are known to bring artistic, economic, cultural, capacity-based and reputation-based benefits.”

Buckland pointed out an artist-in-residence program was proposed as part of the city’s arts and culture master plan, which was approved in 2022. She said the city had since relegated that idea to a “lower priority level” due to concerns about the workload for municipal staff.

Instead of a city-coordinated program, Buckland asked that the municipality provide funding for a local non-profit to deliver the residency.

“This is essential programming that will help build the arts sector in our community and our territory,” she said.

The NWT Art Centre Initiative also said on Monday it will move forward with plans to develop an art centre at the former Akaitcho Hall site. The organization held public gatherings on the history and impact of the school residence in June.

Construction of the art centre is on track to begin in late 2027, the group said.

Its $25,000 budget ask was one of a handful of public presentations at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Earlier this summer, the city put out a call asking residents to pitch projects they would like to see get funding in the municipality’s 2026 budget.

From a pool to a skate park

Laura Stott of the Territorial Action Sports Association asked the city for support to convert the building that, until recently, housed the Ruth Inch Memorial Pool into an indoor skate park.

“Right now our youth have no indoor, dedicated space for skateboarding, BMX or scootering once those winter months set in,” she said.

“This project addresses that gap while also making productive use of a city-owned facility that currently has no active role in our recreation system.”

The sports group envisions the skate park being “a vibrant hub” for youth, families and community events, featuring ramps, bowls and a beginner section.

The Territorial Action Sports Association is requesting that the city provide the building at no lease cost and continue covering heat and building maintenance costs. The group plans to cover electricity and operational costs through sponsorship, membership and fundraising.

The group estimated startup and renovation costs for the skate park will be $418,000 while annual operating costs will be $231,000. It estimated the city would need to contribute $65,000.

Crosswalks and artworks

Adam Denley, an avid cyclist and co-founder of bicycle-sharing program Shift, advocated for the city to make it easier to walk or bike by addressing gaps in active transportation infrastructure.

“People that commute by foot or by bike have fewer chronic illnesses, including mental illness. The money that they’re not spending financially supporting a car they can spend or save as they see fit, and research has shown that they tend to spend more on local businesses,” he said.

“They also, obviously, can contribute far less to pollution, noise pollution and traffic congestion.”

Denley proposed the city install button-controlled illuminated crosswalks across Kam Lake Road near Hall Crescent and Old Airport Road near RTL Construction. He also asked for a raised crosswalk across Finlayson Drive between Banke Crescent, Perkins Court and Denison Court.

The city has said installing a flashing pedestrian crossing on Old Airport Road could cost upward of $35,000, with actual costs varying depending on site-specific conditions.

Becca Denley, another active transportation advocate and founder of Shift, pitched two artwalks, or vibrantly painted crosswalks, in school zones.

She said the artwalks would be designed by artists and developed as an educational project with students.

Denley described the idea as a small initiative that could have a big impact on supporting “a more inclusive, safer and livable Yellowknife.”

“Not only will this immediately impact safety near these crosswalks, but it acts as a pilot for future programs involving more schools and community members,” she said.

The project would require the city’s permission and some traffic barriers, Denley said, and she asked for $25,000 in municipal funding.

She also proposed that the city prohibit turning right at a red light at the intersection of Gitzel Street and Franklin Avenue, which municipal staff indicated they plan on doing.

Frame Lake Trail, dog park

Dwayne Wohlgemith, of Communities in Motion, asked that the city complete a planned extension of the Frame Lake Trail, which he described as “the multi-use gem of Yellowknife.”

“Trails and pathways are like the best bang for buck for getting people physically active and healthier,” he said, adding they provide a way for people to get around the city and access green space.

“It should really be the same priority as roads.”

Nancy Vail is set to pitch the idea of a new dog park at the next council meeting.

The city recently made improvements to the existing dog park. Councillors committed $45,000 from this year’s budget toward that work.

Whether any of the proposals will make it into the final 2026 budget will ultimately be up to city council.