Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Oct 08/01) - A cache of aviation fuel is giving Cambridge Bay parents gas pains.

The 39 barrels, which belong to the Department of Sustainable Development, are stored not four metres away from a children's playground.

"It's not far, I'll tell you," said Lynda Johnston, executive director of the Cambridge Bay Childcare Centre.

"They're these big metal barrels, the kind that people sometimes use up here for garbage cans," she added.

Johnston and the centre's board have been trying to get the barrels removed for more than a year.

"We talked to the local people" at first, said Johnston. When nothing was done, she and Mayor Keith Peterson took the request as far Steve Hannah, the department's regional director in Qurluqtuq.

"He said it was going to get looked after," a month ago, according to Johnston. But, she added, "It hasn't gotten looked after."

Aviation fuel is extremely volatile.

The temperature at which its vapors will ignite, is relatively low, compared with other fuels.

The Childcare Centre is licensed for up 55 children. "On average day in the centre, we have 17 kids in day care, then we get another 20 or so for pre-school," said Johnston.

Steve Hannah was travelling and could not be reached at press time.