Inuvik (Dec 10/04) - Golfers could enjoy a beer under a big top if the town agrees to give the circus tent-like structure now covering Sedna's Pool to the Inuvik Golf Association.

Association treasurer Marsha Branigan appeared before town council Monday evening to ask for the tent to be donated for use as a clubhouse.

The association is also asking the town for $50,000 in funding to help it proceed with plans to build a driving range and nine-hole golf course at the east end of Mackenzie Road.

Some councillors, including Paul Komaromi, supported the plan and the whole idea of a golf course.

"I think it's good for tourism," he said.

However, as the town has already given the association $40,000 to date, Coun. Gayle Gruben asked if further financial requests were going to be an "annual event."

"Until the course is built, yes," Branigan replied.

Since 2002, the association has been trying to build a nine-hole course and, according to Branigan, the driving range was nearly completed this year.

"But Rome wasn't built in a day," she added.

To the golf association's credit, the work completed on the course to date has been done with volunteer labour and borrowed heavy equipment and operators.

The association has also partnered with the college's Heavy Equipment Operators course and students practised their skills by moving dirt around and arranging the planned course.

The cost of maintaining the partnership has been $10,000 per course and the association hopes to cut another deal with the college for its upcoming program.

On Monday, town council decided to defer the matter to its administration committee for further discussion.

The mayor also said that other communities in the region would be contacted to see if they were interested in the old swimming pool cover.