Gardeners get pep talk
Spin-offs envisioned from greenhouse dynamo

Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Feb 12/99) - When it comes to community projects, the proof is in the pudding.

Or so says University of Guelph school of rural planning professor David Douglas, who was in Inuvik last week and was a guest speaker at the annual general meeting for the Inuvik community gardening society Feb. 6.

He referred to community projects as the "ball bearings" that keep things moving.

The greenhouse project has already secured $70,000 in government grants to use until March 31.

Inuvik's community development officer, Dennis Zimmerman, followed Douglas with a presentation outlining how the greenhouse has social, economic and environmental objectives.

Socially, it will instill community pride, education about gardening techniques and opportunities for community groups to get involved, Zimmerman told about 45 people who attended the society's pot-luck dinner and meeting.

"We'll eventually cover the maintenance and management costs," he says.

In the interim, economically, the project has already created some jobs. In the long term, Zimmerman predicts an improved investment climate, lower costs for fruits and vegetables and spin-off benefits and possibilities for other area businesses.

Zimmerman also cited how, much like area hunters get to see where their meat comes from, the greenhouse will provide the perk of being able to see where fresh produce is grown.

"I'm delighted to hear such positive energy," Douglas said.

"This project is harnessing resources, be they physical, human or creative. Give kudos to those for making things happen."

He said he expected the greenhouse to become a kind of project dynamo that motivates spin-offs once people start to answer the question, "What do you want this community to be in your fondest dreams?"

The society also elected nine directors at the meeting -- Herbert Allen, Craig Kaulbach, Hillary Greening, Andrew Fox, Lorna Sampson, Effie MacLeod, Ted McLeod, Peter Clarkson and Shaun Gray.