WHALE COVE - The community of Whale Cove came together in celebration to officially open its long awaited community hall earlier this month.

Stanley Adjuk, Peter Adjuk, Michael Adjuk, Mary-Anne Parker, Agnes Turner and Darryl Adjuk, from left, cut the ribbon to open the new John Adjuk Community Hall in Whale Cove earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Elosie Campbell

Local residents were joined by a number of government representatives, including Minister of Community and Government Services (C&GS) and local MLA Lorne Kusugak and C&GS assistant deputy minister Shawn Maley.

A cheer erupted from the crowd when Kusugak presented a government plaque for the John Adjuk Community Hall to Mayor Percy Kabloona and, again, when the ribbon was cut to officially open the facility.

The hall is named after a respected elder who was an active community member.

Adjuk, originally from Gary Lake, spent most of his life in Whale Cove.

Kabloona said the new hall has given Whale Cove a larger and more efficient space to gather as a community.

"I look forward to seeing you all here for feasts, recreational events and other community gatherings over the coming years," said Kabloona.

Whale economic development officer Eloise Campbell said the opening was a wonderful event that attracted the majority of people in the community to attend.

She said two charters of people were flown in for the event, including musician Paul Kay from Arviat.

"We had lots of people from out of town at the event and it was a lot of fun," said Campbell.

"There was a community feast after the grand opening, as well as games and a square dance.

"We held another square dance the following evening, as well as a special bingo with a $5,000 jackpot."

Campbell said there's been a noticeable improvement in the spirit of the community since the new hall opened.

She said everyone is excited about having a new facility for community gatherings, programs and special events.

"We're hoping to really increase our youth programming now because there hasn't been a whole lot of that going on due to our lack of resources.

"We also hope to hold more elder and family programming at the new hall.

"It's also great to have a nice new place to hold more square dances.

"The new hall has provided a boost to community morale."

Campbell said the new hall will also help in her efforts to stimulate economic development in Whale Cove.

She said the increased space for community and planning meetings, in itself, will be a positive factor.

"We now have ample space for bringing in groups or organizations for development or training sessions.

"It may also help our local tourism industry by providing better space for business meetings and conferences.

"There are a lot more advantages to this new hall than just a bigger space for community square dances."