Kids take to the ice in Pond Inlet
Arena re-opens to public after year-long closure
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 24, 2014
MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET
After a year of headaches and frustration, Pond Inlet's arena has finally re-opened, to the delight of its residents.
Electrical problems and concrete pad issues kept the arena closed until March 14, when the doors to the two-year-old building swung open to welcome eager skaters.
Acting senior administrative officer Colin Saunders said the news spread like wildfire.
"We had more than 50 kids show up within a half hour as soon as we made the announcement," he said.
"Everyone is very happy the arena is open again."
The $6.2-million facility, which officially opened March 23, 2012, has been marred with issues since day one.
Faulty electrical wiring and poor concrete pads under the ice forced the closure last year when Nunavut's office of the fire marshal deemed the building unsafe for the public.
Saunders said preventative work was done on the pad last year to take care of surface areas where the wear was more significant.
It's still too early to tell whether those measures are working, he added, until the ground begins to thaw.
Arena maintainer David Suqslak said the ice could still be used despite the issue.
"I would be happier if they leveled the concrete and fixed it more," he said.
"As it stands, it's pretty wobbly."
Suqslak said the community is trying to plan a hockey tournament next month, following the end of the upcoming Nunavut Quest dog team race.
"We're going to try to organize something with the participants so they can play when they get to Pond Inlet," he said.
Resident Sheila Katsak said the arena being open brings a lot of positivity to the community.
"It's beneficial for kids and adults alike to have a place to enjoy skating and playing hockey," she said.
"We have peewee and senior hockey teams here. They have a lot of fun playing there."
Tununiq MLA Joe Enook had long been lobbying the Government of Nunavut for assistance in repairing the ailing facility.
He brought the matter up again on March 7, citing frustration over the fact that the nature of the problems at the arena weren't exactly clear.
On March 17, he joked to his colleagues at the legislative assembly about putting the matter to rest.
"I also hope that I won't need to raise any further questions about our arena for a long time," he said, which elicited laughter.
