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INUVIK - The Town of Inuvik is looking to help anyone get on the ice and skate, regardless if they own skates or not.

The initiative allows for any youth to drop in to the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex and borrow skates for that session.

From left, Deena Allum, Ashlyn Hendrick, Elizabeth Hendrick and Cheyanne Carpenter are all youth who attend the free public skate session at the rec complex every day after school. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Recreation programmer Josh McDonald said the lending program is in place for all public and family skate sessions.

From Tuesday through Friday, the town offers free public skating to anyone who wants to use the ice time.

"We also offer family skate on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m." said McDonald.

The lending program is popular. McDonald said the town purchased a number of hockey and figure skating skates for the public.

"We get the kids to trade their shoes for skates," said McDonald.

"It allows all kids in Inuvik to have that chance to go skating," he said.

"Whether they have their own pair of skates or not, it allows them to skate around with their friends."

To accompany their programs, McDonald said the rink is still open to people who want to play a scrimmage game of hockey during the lunch period.

"The lunch casual hockey is on from 11:45 until 12:45, from Tuesday to Friday," he said. "It's free ice time for anyone in Inuvik."

The only requirement for the hockey sessions is that each person be fitted with a helmet, gloves and skates.

Deena Allum started skating after school about three months ago.

"It's a fun activity," she said.

Ashlyn Hendrick said she learned to skate a long time ago and is now involved in minor hockey.

"I'm in the peewee league," said Ashlyn. "I'm here at the rink a lot."

Hendrick said it's important for youth to stay active with activities like hockey, which is better than staying at home all the time. Her younger sister Elizabeth said she learned to skate by watching her older sister and eventually getting on the ice herself.

"It's been a long time," said Elizabeth. "It took a while to learn, but I know how now."

A game played on the ice by the girls is a variation of tag, where one person has to and catch the others on the ice.

Cheyanne Carpenter said at first, she remembers hugging the walls of the rink, getting her balance.

"Once I got used to it, it was easier," she said.