Coppermine (Apr 25/05) - About 50 people marched to the hamlet office in Kugluktuk last Monday protesting the closure of the arena complex.

The hamlet decided to close the arena to save $150,000 a year because it is $900,000 in debt.

A couple of outspoken youths got together and started posting up information about a protest around town last week.

The small group of organizers ended up getting people of all ages to join them on their march.

Carrying posters that read "Don't close our complex" and "Recreation is life, don't take it away," the public walked from the complex to the hamlet office at 4 p.m.

Elder Jack Oviluk held up a sign reading "What about elders?"

"The hamlet got to see it doesn't only affect the youth," organizer April Pigalak said.

"I didn't expect to see that variety of people," said Marranda Atatakhak another protest organizer. "I felt very motivated. I wanted to get up there and send a message."

It isn't just a loss of hockey on these people's minds. Elders used the complex Wednesday and Saturday for their crib tournaments.

There were also regular fundraising dances.

"Now they've got no place to go," said Mona Tiktalek who held regular fundraising dances for the Anglican Church at the complex. "I was so proud of these young girls who want to keep this complex open because it's a community complex," Tiktalek added.

SAO Paul Waye greeted the group of chanting, yelling people when they arrived at the hamlet door. He explained the reasons behind the closure were financial.

Atatakhak wasn't satisfied with what Waye said.

"Considering most of our protesters were young people, he should have spoken plain English instead of using socio-economic words," she said.

Waye couldn't be reached for comment before deadline.

Coun. Joanne Taptuna said she will bring up the possibility of re-opening the complex at the next council meeting on Monday.

"The community feels down about (the arena closure) because they are afraid of vandalism and children getting into trouble if they don't have a place to drain out their energy," she said. "They don't have anywhere to go, so they'll be just walking around, getting into trouble."