Rankin Inlet (Sep 03/03) - The company contracted to install the new artificial ice surface at the Rankin Inlet arena arrived in the community this week.

Hamlet SAO Ron Roach said representatives of the Ammonia Master Co. arrived in Rankin yesterday to finish installing the ice plant and start it up.

Work has been ongoing throughout the summer to prepare the arena for the company's arrival.

"We took the back boards off, removed the concrete from the back area of the rink and installed the headers for the ice," said Roach.

"We also levelled the arena bed and installed the necessary Styrofoam insulation."

Roach said the artificial ice project will also include the curling rink.

"Not only will the local curling club have better ice this season, its members will also be able to start curling at the same time the kids start playing hockey.

"We're hoping with the artificial ice in the curling rink, we'll attract more people to the sport."

The Winnipeg-based company will also be training local arena staff on how to operate the system.

Roach said the maintenance staff will be involved with the project from day one.

He said the company's experience with artificial ice and its accessability were the two main points behind the awarding of the contract.

"One of the main reasons we went with Ammonia Master is that it's located right in Winnipeg.

"So, if we do encounter any difficulties with the ice, company representatives can be on a plane the very next day to fix the problem."

Ready for super weekend

Roach said the arena should be ready for Hockey Nunavut's Super Hockey Certification Weekend.

Rankin is the preferred site for the event, which would offer officials' certification, the Safety and Speak Out program, and coaching initiation, Level One and intermediate levels.

More than 50 hockey delegates from across Nunavut are expected to attend.

"The Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association felt November would be the best time to hold the event because we want to be comfortable with the fact the ice plant is running properly.

"The arena should be ready by early October, but we don't want to risk bringing people in from across Nunavut only to have early problems with the artificial ice."