Karen McOuat
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 02/98) - Along with winter's temperatures, high heating costs and clothing fit for space travel comes another battle -- the one against cabin fever.

But winter is not a new thing in the North and neither is the art of winter recreation. The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down.

The NWT's largest city has an extensive recreation program for the winter blahs.

Yellowknife's Ruth Inch Memorial Pool, celebrating its 10th year, sees plenty of action year-round. Their programs include lessons, Aquafit classes and recreational swimming from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.

You can't go 10 feet without slipping on an ice surface of some kind. The western capital maintains six outdoor rinks and two arenas, for those who just can't get enough of cold temperatures.

As seen in the 1998 fall recreation guide, Yellowknife offers lessons to suit just about every interest group. There are arts and crafts, martial arts, science, dance, cooking, second languages, dog mushing...and the list continues.

In Norman Wells, the recreation department is between seasons, reports Mark Collier from the Sahtu. Stepping in to answer the phone at the department, Collier says, "Right now we're in a lull. There's no ice on the rink. People are waiting for the snow so they can go snowmobiling and skating."

Nothing is preventing residents from their indoor activities, however.

"There's lots of soccer and indoor sports going on right now at the gym," continues Collier. "People are also working out at the fitness centre, or doing aerobics."

Norman Wells also has its youth community groups, such as Beavers, Cubs and Girl Guides.

Arena personnel Mike Carruthers is with the Midnight Sun Recreation complex in Inuvik. He says his building offers figure skating, broomball, curling and just about every form of hockey.

Eastward, Repulse Bay recreation co-ordinator William Beveridge touts indoor sports, too. The community has basketball and volleyball leagues, "and there's the arena, for hockey and public skating."

Iqaluit resident Pat Sageaktook is usually busy working, and says much of his free time is spent with his girlfriend.

"We go to the show," he says. "At the movie theatre, it's only five dollars to get in during the week."

Iqaluit has most of the same winter activities as the rest of the North -- curling, hockey, skating, swimming, as well as the dart league, which is quite popular.

"I like snowmobiling, snowboarding, tobogganing," says Sageaktook. There's hunting, too, which he says he does sometimes.

Islanders in the middle of Hudson Bay get together for community-minded events.

"We have Christmas games, New Year's games, Halloween games..." says Emily Kattuk, of Sanikiluaq's recreation department.

There's also "a lot of traditional stuff," says Kattuk, "where they learn how to live a long time ago."

The message this winter is to get involved, whoever -- and wherever -- you are.