Rankin Inlet (Dec 06/06) - The need to expand key buildings in Arviat is reaching a critical stage, says Mayor Elizabeth Copland.

The mayor voiced her community's concerns during the Kivalliq mayors' meetings in Rankin Inlet this past month.

Copland says Arviat is in dire need of an expansion to its community hall, freezer and swimming pool.

She says with the rapid growth of Arviat's population to about 2,300, the existing facilities are too small.

"Our community hall has been on resolution from these meetings for a number of years, but we still haven't seen anything happen," says Copland.

"We hope it moves forward this coming year."

Copland says the warmer temperatures of the past few years have drastically reduced the amount of available ice time at the arena.

She says the short season is seriously threatening a popular hockey program.

"Arviat should be Nunavut's next artificial ice project.

"We've got a very young community and hockey is really on the rise here.

"More and more youth want to be involved, but we're not able to provide enough ice time to develop their skills and encourage their love for the sport.

"We have both the numbers and the need for artificial ice."

Copland says the rising price of gas is going to make it very hard for some Arviat hunters to get on the land as much as they need to.

In fact, she says, the cost of living is reaching the point where many people in the community are getting alarmed.

"I'm not talking about extras, just necessities and making ends meet.

"That's not living as much as it's just existing.

"You want people to have some money for other things, not just everything going on their bills.

"Gas and energy are leading the way, but everything seems to be going up in price and it's getting alarming."

Copland says there is a more unified voice among Kivalliq mayors now.

She says the mayors agree that the Nunavut government has to start making improvements in the region.

"The first thing the government should do is increase the amount of information it sends out to the municipalities, especially with everything it's been throwing at us for the past year.

"We did get many answers we needed at the meetings, thanks to the presenters being very thorough and patient in answering all the mayors' questions.

"But the meetings are only once a year, so more information should be sent to us in our home communities throughout the year."