Det'on Cho Corp looks at housing hospital construction workers off Dettah Road

The business arm of the Yellowknives DeneFirst Nationsays it's confident there will soon be a deal to house out-of-town workers building the new Stanton Territorial Hospital in atemporary campon the First Nation'sland.

Bob Murphy, withDet'on Cho Corporation,saidthe corporation approached Clark Builders and Bird Construction two weeks ago after hearing that Yellowknife city councillorshadvoted down a plan to house the workers in the Kam Lake Industrial Park.

• Yellowknife city councillors say No to Kam Lake work camp

While the hospital builders say they are leasing 12 two-bedroom units and 40 rooms inside one hotel, that's all they've been able to secure for the 250 tradespeople needed to build the hospital in the coming years, according to a memo city councillors received.

Murphy said they have worked out an agreement but that the idea still needs to be approved by the First Nation'sLands Department and the Northwest Territories' Department of Lands.

If approved, the work camp would be built in a clearing just off the Dettah Road, about 10 kilometres outside Yellowknife. The camp could be there for up to two years.

Murphy saidthe camp would bring much-needed employment for the First Nation, as catering, cleaning and garbage services for the camp would all be provided by Det'on Cho Corporation and other YKDFN companies.

Murphy said he expects to have thepaperwork submitted by early next week and hopes to have to have a final agreement in place by the end of the month.