Rankin Inlet (Apr 05/06) - It takes more than hockey to keep people entertained year-round.

In a final look at recreation facilities around the region, Kivalliq News examines what Rankin, Arviat and Whale Cove have to offer aside from arenas.

Rankin Inlet

"We have a multi-use complex called the Rankin Inlet community centre," said senior administrative officer John Hodgson.

It has a fair-size pool - 60- by 30-feet - open from June to September.

"It's full all the time and we have to turn away kids," said Hodgson.

There's also a radio station, curling rink and the community hall all stuffed into one package along with the arena.

Complex maintainer Joseph Innukshuk estimates the hall can hold up to 350 people.

The air circulation system in the hall is simply "sub-standard," said Hodgson.

"It doesn't have an air-handling system, just fans."

Rankin resident William Tudlik said the air can get stale on a busy night.

"When it's full in there for square-dancing it gets pretty stuffy," he said.

Besides that, there is a youth centre separate from the building, two baseball parks, an outdoor volleyball court and a moto-cross bike track.

Arviat

The heart of recreation in Arviat is the John Ollie Complex which includes the community hall.

There's also a pool near the hamlet office.

The school gym is used for many community activities, said recreation co-ordinator Nick Arnalukjuak.

Those who are into outside fun enjoy the baseball diamond, which is "in fair condition," and playgrounds which are "almost new," he said. The community could benefit from a new swimming pool and a youth centre.

"And more cultural-related projects or programs teaching community lifestyles like hunting, survival, (making) Inuit tools and (playing) Inuit games," he said.

Whale Cove

A new $5 million gym was completely in Whale Cove last summer - a major bonus for a community that relies heavily on its school for recreation facilities.

There is no community hall or youth centre, so the hamlet and school co-ordinate access to the gym, said recreation co-ordinator Sheba Arualak.

The hamlet has it from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. weeknights and on Saturdays. It's closed Sundays.

What sets Whale Cove apart from many Northern communities is its active swim team despite not having a pool.

Come summer, kids flock to the shores of Regans Lake, where a hamlet-sponsored waterfront lifeguard is on duty.

"Kids are in there every day, except when it's raining," said Arualak. "It's not that cold, but it would be nice to have a pool."

Another plus would be having a youth drop-in centre.

"Mainly we need a place for youth to go because there is no coffee shop here or anything," said Arualak.