'Minister is trying to get artificial ice' - Maley
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Nov 29/00) - A political hot potato has been tossed in the lap of Shawn Maley.
Maley, the Department of Community Government and Transportation's director for Kivalliq, is now dealing with the artificial ice issue in Rankin.
Maley says the department supports artificial ice for Rankin Inlet and is doing everything it can to make it happen.
"Artificial ice was included in the regional capital plan for CG&T and is on my bottom line," says Maley.
"I'm told it will go ahead for Rankin next year. Our minister (Jack Anawak) is trying extremely hard to get artificial ice, not just for Rankin, but the other three communities (Sanikiluaq, Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk) as well."
Maley says Rankin has been the most vocal hamlet in trying to land artificial ice and he understands the community's frustration.
He says CG&T tried to go ahead with the project this year, but was turned down by the government.
"It's my understanding there have to be standards and policies in place so that another community requesting artificial ice would have set guidelines under which to seek funding. Once that's resolved, I'm told the project will go ahead."
Maley says the government doesn't have money to instal four sheets of artificial ice at one time.
One at a time
He says his department is looking at setting up a program to address the situation one community at a time.
"From what I understand, they're trying to create an extraordinary funding program which wouldn't be exclusive to artificial ice.
"If you had a good pitch for an extra sheet of curling ice, a ball field, whatever, you would be able to possibly access the funds out of this program.
"The program will probably be laid out so that part of the project's funding would come from the community involved."
Chances are good Rankin will get artificial ice next year, but nothing is set in stone, says Maley.
"If and when this program goes ahead, there's no doubt the other communities are just as deserving as Rankin Inlet, but we're looking to be the pilot project here."
