School board supports a twin-rink arena beside school
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 12/01) - The District 1 education board wants the city to build a proposed multi-million dollar public ice arena next to one of its schools.
Board members voted 6-1 in favour of building a twin-pad ice rink beside Sir John Franklin high school Tuesday night.
The site is one of several locations city planners are considering. Yellowknife Corrections Centre is another.
Ice time for students and potential concession stand revenues were two noted benefits. Tuesday's motion was not without debate. Board chair Dan Schofield launched into a heated but civil exchange with trustee Terry Brookes when Brookes proposed a single-pad arena. An untimely suggestion, Schofield scoffed, given a twin-rink concept has sat on drawing tables for two years.
Brookes defended his stance, in part, pointing to parking problems and other downfalls an additional pad might create.
"You want to know what's there now?" stammered Schofield.
"Portables, Akaticho Hall and a muddy ball field. Quite frankly I think the site is disgusting the way it is. This is an opportunity to enhance our facility."
Brookes later admitted to playing devil's advocate.
"This is an issue with a bit of history," he said, intentionally understating the on-going discussions surrounding a much needed arena in town.
Various sporting groups want more ice time, he said. The trick is when and where -- especially if "where" favours one site over another.
As an example, Brookes theorized: "Having two identical text books is not going to make you any smarter."
Trustee Ann Enge voted against the motion.
"I'm totally opposed," she said. Frame Lake South is a more suitable location, she suggested.
District 1 superintendent Dr. Judith Knapp and city officials will continue discussing the matter.
By no means is the matter a done deal.
City Coun. David McCann said predicted population to Frame Lake South need be considered.
"I think a twin-pad arena (at the school) is excessive. A single pad makes better sense," McCann said.
"We need a replacement for the Gerry Murphy arena so there is a certain sense of urgency."
Months, maybe years, will pass before a site selection is made.
The education board is recommending a three-year lapse between rinks if a dual arena is built. The delay would give them time to raise the estimated $700,000 the district must pay to demolish Akaitcho Hall.
