Rankin Inlet (July 04/01) - Johnny Tucktoo thinks big when it comes to his job as Rankin Inlet's recreation co-ordinator.

The former Toloyoak resident stands on the edge of a new beach-volleyball court on a piece of open land behind the Kivalliq Inuit Association building and sweeps his hand around, listing all the things he'd like to see on that spot.

"I'd like to build a soccer field here," he says, gesturing to a rocky piece of terrain beside the volley-ball court. "It's my wish."

He doesn't know when his wish will come to fruition but it's something he's already started to think about. Right now he's working on a proposal to build three new basketball courts and expand the existing one to start a three-on-three basketball league.

"Not everyone plays a certain sport," says Tucktoo. In the past, summer athletic activities focused only on softball.

He wants to give Rankin Inlet residents as many athletic options as possible because he believes sports can raise the standard of living.

"I'm doing it to make a change in the community," he says. "If someone enjoys a certain sport they'll have fun and enjoy life more."

He also wants to build a bike track to keep kids from biking endlessly on the street.

"You can create tournaments and hold them once a week or once a month," he says. "It'll entice them to do something else instead of doing nothing at all."

Tucktoo spent a day putting up a chain-link fence around the volleyball court. He used recycled material gathering from the hamlet's depot.

He says he probably should spend more time at the office but reasons that the work will get done quicker if there is an extra pair of hands helping out.

"There's a lot of different reasons why I enjoy my job," he says. "It's that little difference I make in a life by providing another option for fun.

"Then maybe the person will bring it back to the home and bring spirits up," he says.

Tucktoo is in his second year on the job in Rankin Inlet and he's just starting to put his ideas into practice.

The adult softball baseball diamond now has dug outs and he's planning on adding it to the little league diamond. "Anything is possible," he says. "It's endless what we can do."

Tucktoo is here for the long haul, at least long enough to see his ideas come true. "I'm not planning on going anywhere," he said.