Paul Bickford/NNSL photo
Geotechnical testing has hit a bit of a delay in the area targeted for the Fraser Place residential land development.
A contracting company from Yellowknife started the work earlier this month, but ran into some mechanical problems.
"They have started some of the drilling work that's required to pull samples from the area," said Glenn Smith, the senior administrative officer with the Town of Hay River. "Unfortunately, they've had a couple of equipment breakdowns, the contractor. So right now I understand they've got some test holes completed. But now they're waiting on parts. So it's kind of on hold until the contractor is able to return."
Smith said it is hoped that the work will be able to restart soon.
"Certainly it should be a fairly quick activity, but there have been a couple of hiccups there," he said. "The indication is that they'll be able to resume before the end of the month, but that's dependent on getting more information on parts and supplies."
The testing began during the week of Aug. 9.
"It wouldn't have a significant impact on the overall development timelines," Smith said of the delay, noting that project design, land rezoning and public consultations will take place in the fall and winter.
The town hopes that Fraser Place would consist of part of the so-called Hay River Nature Park, a wooded area covering about a half-kilometre along the shore of the Hay River in the vicinity of Keith Broadhead Memorial Twin Park.
The core samples obtained by the drilling will undergo geotechnical studies by engineers.
The testing will help determine how the land can be used and where it's appropriate to put underground and aboveground infrastructure.
No decision has been made on how many lots might be developed in the area.
The geotechnical testing was originally set for March, but was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.