RANKIN INLET
Dead space will soon be converted into large modern dressing rooms at the Rankin Inlet arena, thanks to the efforts of recreation co-ordinator David Clark, territorial funding and the support of local hockey programs and organizations.

Recreation co-ordinator David Clark goes over the plan to convert the old swimming pool into three hockey dressing rooms at the Rankin Inlet arena this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Clark announced territorial funding of $212,000 had been secured in the form of a small capital contribution from the Department of Community and Government Services (C&GS) toward the $260,000 project earlier this month.

Also chipping in to make the renovations a reality were the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet ($26,000) and $5,000 each from the Maani Ulujuk Ilinnarvik student council, female hockey, junior 'C' hockey and the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association.

Clark said the project will see the no longer used community swimming pool converted into three spacious dressing rooms.

He said there will also be three small storage rooms for teams in minor hockey added.

"The project will allow us to finally have one dressing room dedicated to full-time use for female hockey," said Clark.

"We also have four small (12-foot by 12-foot) dressing rooms right now that we're going to turn into two dressing rooms measuring out at about 24-foot by 30-foot.

"The new dressing rooms will measure about 27-foot by 20-foot.

"So, we'll have four dressing rooms that will be able to accommodate a full-size hockey team with no problem."

Clark said the improvements will be a huge benefit during the numerous minor and senior tournaments the community holds each season.

In addition, he said the extra space will be a big help in accommodating the growing number of minor-hockey players who register in Rankin every season.

"It can be really hectic during the season when we're trying to get kids in and out of dressing rooms so the next scheduled users, be it senior men or old-timers, can have enough time to get suited-up for their games.

"I had a group of 30 players I coached this past season in the atoms division, and it was a huge struggle for us to get them out of the rooms in time so the next team coming in could get ready.

"The number of girls we had playing hockey in Rankin was also a growing concern this past season but that should be alleviated now that we're going to have a dressing room allocated for female players only."

Some concerns have been raised over the reason why C&GS would approve the money for the renovations at this time.

There is worry in some corners that the money was granted for the renovations because the long promised new arena for Rankin isn't going to materialize any time soon.

Clark said he's been hearing Rankin was on the cusp of getting a new arena since he first started as rec co-ordinator about 10 years ago.

He said whether that happens sooner, later or not at all, is not something he's worrying about.

"My job is not to worry about when we're getting a new rink but to make the facility we do have the best it can be.

"So, when the time comes I see actual drawings or, better yet, construction getting underway, I'll be a part of the process and do my best to make it work for our community.

"But until then I have to focus on the facility we do have."

Clark had been working behind the scenes to make the renovations a reality for the past few years.

He said the hamlet looked at different ways to go about it, and tried to access funding through a number of different programs and channels.

"I had a good chat with my boss, Justin (Merritt), about a year ago when the hamlet was looking into trying to secure a new ice plant.

"At that time, the Government of Nunavut said it would be willing to put some money into the new plant with us.

"But, instead of going ahead with that project, we made some minor upgrades to our existing ice plant, so I started wondering if the money from the same territorial program could go toward these improvements instead.

"I had a proposal done up with huge financial support from local groups in the community and approval, basically, then happened within 10 days."

Clark is currently working with the contractor to finalize a schedule for the work to be completed.

He said the schedule is not quite finalized, but the plan is to start the renovations as soon as the last ship from this year's sealift arrives in Rankin.

"I understand the last ship arrives during the third week of October and it will have all the supplies for the renovations on it.

"Going from there, we hope to have the work completed and teams using the new rooms early in the new year."

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