Photo by Whitehorse Star
Energy Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent
Government to pursue more recreational lots
The Yukon Party government is pronouncing itself pleased with the response and the number of applications received for the cottage lot land lottery held Sept. 17.
The Yukon Party government is pronouncing itself pleased with the response and the number of applications received for the cottage lot land lottery held Sept. 17.
Sixty residents applied for waterfront properties located on Bennett Lake and the Windy Arm of Tagish Lake.
The six Tagish Lake lots were each priced at $50,000.
The remaining 13 lots on Bennett Lake ranged from $45,000 to $55,000 apiece.
Yukoners were able to purchase waterfront recreational lots for the first time in decades.
“The lottery was a result of a commitment made to Yukoners during the 2011 territorial election,” Energy Mines and Resources Minister Scott Kent said Tuesday.
“It’s something that I, and many of my colleagues, have heard over and over; that Yukoners would be interested in owning waterfront property.”
The lottery was available to Yukoners who have resided in the territory for at least one continuous year prior to the date of sale.
The project was created as part of a memorandum of understanding signed last year between the Yukon government and the Carcross-Tagish First Nation (CTFN).
“I’m happy we’ve been able to deliver on the Yukon Party’s promise to provide access to recreational lots,” added Kent.
“Owning a little piece of paradise is a dream for many Yukoners; something they can build on and share with their families.
“For years, waterfront lots just haven’t been readily available for purchase by the average Yukoner. But based on this government’s positive working relationship with First Nations like Carcross-Tagish, and the reception of this land lottery, developing more recreational lots in other areas of the territory is definitely something we will continue to pursue.”
All of the 19 available lots have been allocated.
Successful applicants had two weeks from the lottery to confirm their acceptance and enter into an agreement for sale.
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Comments (5)
Up 3 Down 0
Wundering on Oct 6, 2014 at 6:41 pm
40-50K for a undeveloped lot only accessible by water in the middle of nowhere, and they sell like hot cakes, and so the government says they will develop more.
DUH!
Up 5 Down 1
Salar on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:47 pm
This initiative will die when the YP is voted out......can you imagine what the FN's will say when the YG folks write that letter....lawsuit........Carcross wants to at all cost with no plan develop as a strategy so they let YG use the wind tunnel of the south for cabin lots....CTFN were largely in control.....as well, we can't hunt in most of the Yukon anymore with all the mines not allowing use of their roads (which is illegal) and unsigned FN's not allowing access.....even signed FN's don't allow access to their lands.....look at Teslin, it doesn't just border on harassment, .....one thing for sure and that is the bush is a busy place in the Yukon these days.
Up 10 Down 5
BnR on Oct 3, 2014 at 6:52 am
While this is a good idea for Yukoners, I hope that Scott and his peers keep in mind when selecting lot locations, is that many of us recreate on the lakes, and that many potential lot sites may already be in traditional use by us as camp sites. The Bennett sites, in general, were good in that respect, as the one protected anchorage was not selected as a lot site. None of us want to lose our "special" lake side camp sites to a select few who can afford these recreational lots.
Up 5 Down 6
Josey Wales on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:08 am
Yes it is great wealthy folks can buy up some Yukon, I'd do it if I were one.
But remember to put a 1km circle around each "dwelling" and if the recipients of said paradise wanted to grind an axe?
You may not be hunting near that area anymore as to discharge a rifle in said circle? Could bring in the stormtroopers, after all even anti-gunners could be said recipients?
I sense more joy will come than conflicts in the middle of our vast lands, but it is a possibility that could happen. Factor in the yellow that keeps spreading like bacteria, could make hunting areas more restricted than is necessary?
I wonder what our Yukon will look like in say 20 years?
Up 11 Down 7
The Interest of Yukoner's First on Oct 2, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Good job Yukon Party thanks for listening to all the people's of Yukon