Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Clyde River (Aug 22/05) - By combining Inuit ingenuity and a Red Green flair for salvaging vehicles, the garage in Clyde River has become Dr. Frankenstein's auto shop.

The mechanics in the community have converted a damaged fire truck into a water truck, an old water truck into a sewer truck. The next step?

"We are looking at turning the old sewage truck into a garbage truck. We have talked about it," laughed David Arreak, the community foreman.

Vehicles are never wasted in Clyde River.

The fire hall in Clyde River caught fire on Jan. 11, 2003, and the fire truck was trapped inside. Fire Chief Loassie Tassugat burned his hands trying to drive the truck from the burning building, but the truck was still damaged.

Tassugat's efforts and burned hands weren't in vain. The front half of the truck made it out of the building before the truck stalled.

For Arreak the damaged truck was an opportunity. "New vehicles are excellent, but we can't get them in the winter time, and we were able to save some money, too," said Arreak.

He said that unlike Red Green, a CBC television character, there was no duct tape used in the construction of their hybrid vehicle.

Mechanics Moe Kuluguqtuq, Joe Panipak and Josie Enuraq spent two months converting the fire truck. When there wasn't a call for their services, they plugged away on their creation.

"It's perfect. It's just like a regular water truck," said Clyde River SAO Steven Aipellee.

By taking the tank from an old water truck and attaching it to the front of the fire truck, the make-shift machine works.

It will be in service until the new water truck arrives next year.

The mechanics are always looking for a new project.

"If another community has a vehicle in reasonably good condition, we are always interested," said Arreak.