Keenan Eetuk, far left, and Wager Tatty lead a group of volunteers in helping to clear the water out of a flooded community hall in Rankin Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
Close call for community hall
Old Rankin building dodges bullet when pipe lets go
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
RANKIN INLET
Rankin Inlet recreation co-ordinator David Clark didn't have much time to reflect on his team's overtime loss while leaving the ice after the First Air Avataq Cup final in Rankin this past month.
Clark spotted water, and lots of it, running across the floor almost immediately upon exiting the ice area.
He was quick to discover the water was originating from the opposite side of the building, and had already flooded the community hall.
Clark said the problem stemmed from a joint that let go from the main pipes leading to the hall's sprinkler system.
He said water was pouring out "pretty good" from underneath the stage in the hall, and was also flowing into the referee's room and a number of dressing rooms.
"I don't know what the exact water pressure is going through those pipes, but it's pretty strong," said Clark.
"I'd say it's not too far from, say, the pressure of a fire hose.
"I noticed it right away after leaving the game and it was spreading out everywhere.
"It took quite a few of us about 90 minutes to get
all the water out."
Clark said he was lucky a number of people who were there for the Avataq final pitched in to help arena staff clean the mess.
He said it was also lucky the joint didn't manage to stay together for another hour, or so.
"If that had happened overnight, when there was nobody here until the following morning, we would have been in a world of hurt.
"We will have to remove the tiles in the hall and replace them this summer, as a result of the damage.
"My mindset had to change pretty quick from losing a big hockey game to fixing the problem.
"I went to bed that night and thanked the good Lord for having it happen when it did."
Clark said, to him, the near miss once again draws attention to the fact the community needs a new hall and arena.
He said the hamlet dodged a bullet this time, but, the next time, it may not be so lucky.
"It that had happened after everyone left the arena, I guarantee the community hall wouldn't even be open right now.
"We got lucky this time, but I have to wonder when our luck is going to run out with such an old building."
