Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, February 26, 2007

RESOLUTE - English explorer Rosie Stancer and the Department of Community and Government Services want the same thing.

Both are committed to building an arena in Resolute. The difference comes down to the details: Stancer wants one as soon as possible, and the GN has planned for 2010.

Stancer is attempting to be the first woman to walk solo to the North Pole, and one of her goals is to help Resolute build a long-awaited arena.

"I was up there 10 years ago, and I was up there last year. I saw the same thing, kids with nothing to do," said Stancer.

"I spoke with them (Resolute) earlier in the year, and it was explained to me that...the government kept putting it on the backburner. The money they were led to expect has again been delayed," said Stancer.

"Every community should have access to these facilities. I want to be a voice because Resolute doesn't have much of a voice," said Stancer.

Along with drawing attention to the lack of an arena in Resolute, Stancer is putting her sponsor's money where her mouth is.

One of the backers of her expedition is the Timberland Company.

"They will send some manpower to help get it built," said Stancer.

John Dawe, director of community infrastructure for community and government services said an arena for Resolute is in the works, just not as quickly as Stancer would prefer.

"We have identified it in our long-range capital plan. Work will begin in 2009-10, and it will be constructed in 2010," Dawe said. "At this point, we don't have it designed, it may take a couple of years."

Community and Government Services budgeted $1,826,000 towards the project in 2006-07, and that was just for developing the plan.

Stancer was happy to hear that locals in Resolute were aware of her upcoming visit, and laughed out loud at the comments made by Resolute acting SAO Ralph Alexander.

In last week's Nunavut News/North, when asked about Stancer's firearms training, Alexander said, "When you get that far north, you only need the gun to shoot yourself."

After a good laugh, Stancer said, "In Britain, if you take an umbrella, it won't rain. Hopefully I won't need it."

She was scheduled to arrive in Resolute on Feb. 24.