Carpenter working to improve community recreation
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Apr 06/01) - Yvonne Carpenter makes a lot of calls at work, but makes sure not to spend all her time behind a desk.
"I don't consider myself a total paper person," Carpenter said. "I probably would go a little stir crazy if I was tied to my desk."
Since January, Carpenter has been senior recreation development officer for the Beaufort Delta in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
"I'm responsible for the management of recreation in the eight communities that are in the Beaufort Delta region," Carpenter explained.
"So on a day to day basis I liaise with them and other territorial organizations to improve the quality of recreation in the region."
She said she keeps in contact with the communities through phone calls and faxes, and networks within MACA, plus she writes a lot of reports.
Sometimes, as in the case of the recent TEST Ski Symposium held in Inuvik, Carpenter gets actively involved in preparing an event.
"I really enjoy that as well."
She said that sometimes she lends some "hands on" help as an employee, and other times she just gets so wrapped up in a project she volunteers her time.
"It's sort of a balance."
Carpenter said hers was one of three new positions created within the NWT as the result of an increased emphasis of sport and recreation by the territorial government. She said not all the programs she deals with involve sports, but are more recreation-oriented.
Carpenter also keeps in close contact with community rec co-ordinators.
"It thrills me to be able to try to help communities and help my colleagues in the region try and improve their situation in their community," she said.
"You don't want to be telling them what they should do, you provide support and you suggest, and you advise, and you kind of let them go where they want."
