Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 01/99) - Spending money on parks and recreation is not a cost but a saving, according to Brian Kelln, who works as a community services program manager with the City of Yellowknife.

As such, he is urging Yellowknife MLA candidates to let their views be known on whether they favour more money spent both on education campaigns and grants to get Yellowknifers more active.

"Being active builds self-esteem," Kelln said.

"That's my message. Put more money and help us create more programs to build community wellness."

More GNWT money could help children from poor families partake in activities without the pressure of covering the equipment costs.

Kelln said the GNWT could encourage pooling resources to help all NWT communities meet the objectives in their needs assessments.

In the Yellowknife recreation facilities needs assessment report released in July, there was strong support for increasing the service level in the area of trails, parks and play areas with 67 per cent supporting an increased service level.

For indoor sports areas where arenas, pools and gyms were specifically noted, respondents were equally divided between those who thought that service levels should increase (48 per cent) and those who thought they should remain the same (45.4 per cent).

"Don't get me wrong, I think sport is great and healthy for everybody, but sometimes it is too structured and we lose a lot of youth or other people because they don't want to be structured," Kelln said.

"Recreation can include canoeing or going for walks or even dancing. If we can get people outside leading an active lifestyle it can help solve a lot of social problems."Kelln said studies have shown a link between people leading active lifestyles and decreased levels of stress, depression, suicide and crime.

The NWT Parks and Recreation Association has several questions they want candidates to answer to show they are pro-recreation.

Here are a few of their questions:

In what ways have you personally been involved in supporting and/or participating in recreation as a volunteer, participant or leader?

What is your position on the role of the GNWT in the development of a strong recreation system within the NWT?

What is your position on the role of organized recreation as a tool for prevention within the social envelope?