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INUVIK
A year-round cultural and interpretive centre has jumped the queue to become the tourism priority in Inuvik.

That was the consensus reached during a meeting of tourism stakeholders March 14 as they reviewed a survey prepared by Jackie Challis, the manager of economic development and tourism for the Town of Inuvik.

That survey, taken in February and early March, clearly indicated more cultural programs and packages as the number-one need in Inuvik, according to the those who responded.

Other concepts, such as culinary and wildlife tours, ranked at the bottom of the list of items considered important.

Inuvik Chamber of Commerce president Newton Grey was one of the main proponents of the idea. The topic of the year-round centre came up in somewhat of an indirect fashion. Grey generated a significant amount of discussion around the table when he questioned why the annual Great Northern Arts Festival (GNAF) couldn't be combined with the annual Great Northern Arts Festival Christmas Gift and Craft Fair under one roof.

The craft show, GNAF executive director Sasha Webb said, makes money, while the summertime arts festival struggles to break even. That's due mostly to overhead costs at the 10-day festival, Webb said.

Grey said if that is the case, it only makes sense to consider bringing them together so both could benefit.

There was immediate resistance to the idea, with a number of people, including Webb, suggesting it would be difficult for the craft people to accommodate the change in schedule. Traditionally, the craft show has been geared toward the Christmas market rather than anything earlier.

However, Grey pointed out that there is an appetite for those products year-round, not just in the winter, and that should be tapped into. If the craft show couldn't be conveniently moved to another date, he suggested the solution would be to add more crafts shows to feed the market.

Grey noted that he sells craft items at the Capital Suites hotel, which he manages, and there is a continual demand for them.

That suggestion led into a general discussion of the need for a venue to accommodate such a business.

The obvious choice was the Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre. However, that building is not winterized and it would be costly to keep the parking lot open during the winter months.

Other possibilities included the former Northern Images building downtown, which is now closed and is controlled by the IRC, the group heard.

Challis noted that plans are being made for the renovation of Chief Jim Koe Park by the town. There could be an opportunity there to broach the ideal of a year-round cultural centre at that site, she said.

There was a general consensus at the close of the meeting that the idea of such a centre would take precedence with the working group.

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