Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 02/02) - It's been a good news type of year for youth in Rankin Inlet who like to spin their wheels with a bit of flair and pizzazz.

Construction is nearing completion on a new bicycle track for the hamlet, located near the volleyball court by Williamson Lake.

And, recreation co-ordinator Johnny Tucktoo made a recent presentation to hamlet council on extending the facility to include a skateboard and rollerblade park.

Hamlet SAO Ron Roach says council was impressed by Tucktoo's presentation and will seriously consider the project for the summer of 2003.

Roach says such a facility would provide countless hours of fun for local youth while, at the same time, keep them off local streets with their wheeled pastimes.

"The issue is twofold for us when you're talking about the benefits of such a project," says Roach.

"On one hand, it's another extracurricular activity for the kids to enjoy in the hamlet.

"It's also a safety issue for council because there's so many kids driving around the paved segments of road, we're worried it's only a matter of time before one is struck by a vehicle.

"If they had a proper place to use their skateboards, bicycles and rollerblades, then we have them off the road and in a safe environment where they can really enjoy themselves without any worries of other vehicles."

Roach says there's been no noticeable increase in skateboard or in-line skates use during the past few years in Rankin, but that's more of a reflection on the lack of facilities than the kids' desire to use the wheeled pastimes.

He says when the paving of main streets first started in Rankin, many kids were out and about with their in-line skates.

However, as time went by, a combination of heavy traffic and deteriorating pavement forced the skaters off the roads.

"Should council decide to go ahead with the project, a lot of those rollerblades would probably return.

"Johnny (Tucktoo) also informed council about a similar project in Inuvik, which turned out to be a tremendous hit with those kids.

"I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be just as successful here."