'The Village off King' tent city in Dawson City, Yukon, is one step closer to reality

Dawson City, Yukon, is one step closer to having a tent city again.

During a town council meeting this week, the Klondike Visitors Association's (KVA) proposal to create accommodation for seasonal workers was unanimously passed by councillors.

"We're obviously feeling pretty grateful," said Ricky Mawunganidze, executive director of the KVA.

With that hurdle out of the way, Mawunganidze said now it's time to move forward with securing a development permit.

Once granted, he said construction can begin on what is being called "The Village off King," between King and York Streets, withinthe historic town site.The plan is to construct20 wall tents, some washrooms, and a cook shack.

"We've already been working with city staff on some of the details," Mawunganidze said. "Hopefully we can begin development as soon as that's approved."

Mawunganidze said he's aiming to break ground on July 1. He said if everything goes to plan the first group of tent city tenants could move in at the end of July.

"Our hope is to have construction done for mid-late July with full usage next summer" he said.

The lot is owned by local company Yukon Spaces.

Mawunganidze said the group has graciously offered to let the KVA use the lot free of charge for three years.

Mawunganidzeemphasized that this project will be a success in part because of the collaboration between community partners, to tackle a community problem.

"Our operators depend heavily on seasonal workers, and the availability of seasonal accommodations becomes a critical factor at being able to attract people to our community," he toldCBC News.

"So there's benefits. Not just for tourism operators who are now able to fill those positions that need accommodations attached to them, but it also makes for a better visitor experience which additional benefits to our tourism economy."

Dawson City Mayor Bill Kendrick agreed that theproject will be one solution to the accommodation shortage in town, and said the townwould continue to help see theproject come to fruition.

"We all support it," Kendrick said. "I think there's a few more steps that involve the Yukon Governmentand of course the KVA, but we look forward to it happening."

Cameron Webb, aspokesperson for Yukon'sDepartment of Tourism and Culture, told CBC News that the Yukon Government agreed to contribute$15,000 toward the planning phase of the project.

He said now that the project has been approved by Dawson City Council, discussions with the KVAwill take place around further funding for construction.Future funding will be split between theKVA and the government of Yukon.