After holding a lottery for 67 available lots in the expanding Copper Ridge subdivision, the Yukon government (YTG) has 13 likely buyers.

According to a YTG statement issued this morning, 15 applications were received in the latest Copper Ridge land lottery.

'The lottery held at the Yukon government's land branch office on Oct. 14, resulted in 13 successful applications as their preferred lots have already been selected,' the release reads.

'Successful applicants have until Oct. 28 to complete the purchase of their lot. A draw will be held on Oct. 31 for Yukon builders and contractors to select lots for future residential building.'

According to the release, all remaining lots will then be available for sale to the general public at the lands branch counter from noon on Oct. 31.

In an interview this morning, Mayor Ernie Bourassa called the lottery results pretty standard compared to past lotteries.

'It isn't surprising, it's the usual score ... contractors usually buy the majority of lots; that's usually what happens,' he said.

Bourassa reiterated statements he's made in the past few weeks that the city has to concentrate on future developments to ensure there is a substantial availability of lots to service future land demands.

'The issue remains the same. We're still going to have a shortage of lots,' he said.

Bryony McIntyre, the YTG manager of lands, agreed with Bourassa that the lottery results are in line with what has happened in recent history.

'Normally, what's been happening in the past year is the general public picks up 10-20 lots, usually view lots, and contractors pick up the rest.

'What we established in August is a selection process for builders so they don't have to line up at the counter.'

She said many of the remaining lots would likely remain unsold thorough the winter, with demand picking up again in the spring.

'This (the available land) will give us an inventory for springtime. If it's anything like last year, the lots will be sold,' McIntyre said.

Many home buyers in Whitehorse preferred to have the contractor buy the land and build the house so the buyers could purchase the complete package and not be responsible for development.

'It's all done that way now. Instead of the individual buying a lot and building a house, they buy from a builder.'

McIntyre said there will be approximately 110 lots coming up for sale next fall and that Copper Ridge would provide Whitehorse with a lot inventory until 2007.