Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 06/03) - If the terms ollie and fakie make your pulse quicken then Rankin Inlet has the playground for you.

Hamlet council has approved the construction of a new track in town that will appeal to local skateboarders, bmxers, in-line skaters and, in the winter, snowboarders.

The $3,200 project will come complete with a half-pipe and an open area for boarding and cycling.

Johnny Tucktoo, hamlet recreation coordinator, is spearheading the idea.

"There is a demand," he said.

"The stores are stocking up on rollerblades and skateboards."

He added that in the winter the half pipe could be used for training for the Arctic Winter Games.

Walking around Rankin, in-line skaters and skateboarders are not a common sight.

But, according to Tucktoo, that is not because of a lack of interest.

The roads in the hamlet are predominately gravel, which is not conducive to either activity.

Richard Warren, who is working on the internship with the hamlet, said there is ample support for the new park.

"The recreation committee held a focus group in the schools and it was one of the top requests," he said.

Hamlet council voted unanimously to allow Tucktoo to go ahead with the project, which will be put in next to the existing BMX track.

Tucktoo was overjoyed by the approval. He has been working on developing the park for quite a while.

Construction is expected to begin as soon as Tucktoo returns from holidays.

He expects by the beginning of September the park should be ready for use.