Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 03/01) - Officials are studying the first draft of a plan to make Inuvik more attractive.

The Community Revitalization Vision Plan was prepared by Gibbs and Brown Landscape Architects Ltd., along with Armin A. Preisaitis and Associates Ltd. It is to be reviewed by the town's community beautification committee, and by council.

Brian Desjardins, Inuvik's tourism and fundraising co-ordinator, stands beside the sign welcoming visitors to town. The sign is to be spruced up as part of efforts to make the community more beautiful. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Brian Desjardins, Inuvik's tourism and fundraising co-ordinator, said the draft is based on a visit to the town in early June by officials with the two firms.

The officials met with the community beautification committee, met with residents, and held a vision-planning workshop June 6.

At that meeting, which was attended by about 20 people, garbage was the number one issue identified. Desjardins said the first priority identified in the draft plan pertains to litter control and waste management.

"They definitely noted room for improvement," Desjardins said.

He said that from the very beginning, garbage has been the priority for the community beautification committee.

Desjardins said part of what's needed, especially regarding litter, is a change in attitude among all ages. Since last year the town has started several projects to instill pride in the community, including spring clean up and green citizen of the week.

Inuvik Works Project workers clean up along Mackenzie Road once or twice a week, and the garbage is to be picked up more often along Mackenzie Road to prevent overflow.

In keeping with a suggestion in the draft plan, 10 new double-compartment containers are to replace green garbage barrels located in town. The new containers will have one compartment for garbage and another for recyclable materials.

They will be placed primarily along Mackenzie Road, but the recreational boat dock area is also being considered. Desjardins said the work being done there fits in with overall efforts to spruce up the town.

"We're well on our way to addressing this first priority," Desjardins said.

He also said the new Inuvik Recycling Society is doing good work (see related story).

Better trails

The second priority is a more extensive parks and trails network.

"We've got some trails in and around the community, but they're not so well interconnected," Desjardins said.

He noted some of the areas that could be improved would be the waterfront along Boot Lake, Twin Lakes and the Mackenzie River.

Desjardins pointed out the town devised a trail network plan in 1999, and that it's just a matter of implementing that document. This also fits in with efforts to acquire a Trans Canada Trail pavilion for Inuvik.

"There's going to be a lot of fundraising involved to make these projects happen, but little things are happening now."

The town just received funds from Molson Breweries for crushed gravel to be put on the Boot Lake trail this summer.

Other priorities

The third priority is redeveloping Jim Koe Park to make it more of a community gathering spot, and perhaps create a marketplace area.

Desjardins said one idea is to create a built in amphitheatre there which could be used year round. Trees and shrubs would be planted to create a more natural look.

The fourth priority is to establish attractive gateways to the town. Included are plans to spruce up the current welcome sign, and to develop a parking area to encourage people to stop there and take pictures.

There are also plans to create another gateway entrance on both sides of the road near the new hospital. This would consist of rocks and boulders, with carvings etched into them.

The fifth priority is improving main street, by adding trees and perhaps a thin meridian along some areas.

Theme needed

Desjardins said a theme needs to be established for the town.

"The theme is very important because it's going to be plastered all over our projects."

He said all the projects incorporate lighting, since Inuvik has a lot of darkness during the winter.

Desjardins said it's satisfying to see the draft plan, because he had ideas when he came here, but needed to hear from others.

"We're promoting public consultation and getting the community involved," Desjardins said. "Now I have a vision that is a vision from the community. I know what to do now. I know what projects I need to be working on."

Community revitalization priorities:

1. Better litter control and waste management.

2. More effective implementation of a parks and trail network.

3. Redesign, redevelopment and programming of Jim Koe Park as a community gathering and marketplace.

4. Develop attractive gateways that give a strong "sense of place" and arrival to the Town of Inuvik.

5. Develop and implement a main-street revitalization program.