Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 20/06) - A new pool was high on the list of popular suggestions at a public meeting, Jan. 12, on how Fort Simpson's $1 million Community Capacity Building Fund should be spent.

Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche said he held the meeting because the money is from a community fund, so it's important for the people of Fort Simpson to have a say.

"I think it's an important exercise," said Menicoche. "We have to live together and therefore we have to work together."

A year-round pool was one of the items on a list prepared by the village council. Other suggestions included water and sewer infrastructure, a BMX park, concrete floors in the arena and curling rink, an outdoor arena and regional waste management authority equipment.

"When you talk about a swimming pool, I think you'll have interest from the elders down to the babies," said Bernice Swanson, who represented the village at the meeting.

Marie Lafferty, the president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation, agreed with the idea of a pool, suggesting a new seasonal pool is needed.

A pool also has the support of Rita Cazon. Cazon, speaking as a member of the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities, said a year-round pool with a whirlpool would be good for therapy. People from outlying communities could be brought in to use it, she said.

A different suggestion for the funding was put forward by Peter Shaw. Shaw asked for one per cent of the funds to be set aside for new emergency response equipment.

"If something happened today we would be hard pressed to find 20 blankets," said Shaw.

He suggested that 90 blankets be purchased and stored in sealed containers at the airport. Reconnecting the power generator at the airport and setting up an area for warm storage of equipment is also part of Shaw's plan.

"I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend that one per cent," he said.

Lafferty agreed that emergency supplies are a good idea.

Some suggestions were judged for economic feasibility. Larry Swartz proposed that some of the funding be used to establish a healing and learning centre and help make the community more self-sufficient.

But there isn't enough funding to support large projects, Lafferty said.

"This money is only a million dollars. It's a drop in the bucket," said Lafferty.

The input gathered at the meeting will be presented to the Tri-Council, said Menicoche. The next step is to propose a meeting of the three leaders hopefully next month, he said.