Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Feb 22/02) - The proposed Inuvik family centre is a big step closer to reality following Monday's plebiscite.

In a 135-82 vote, ratepayers approved a proposal in which the town would borrow up to $5 million to finance construction of the centre. The facility would include a year-round pool and other amenities.

Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson is pleased that ratepayers have voted their approval of construction of a proposed $6-million family centre. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Organizers aim to fundraise the other $1 million needed to construct the centre, which is expected to cost around $6 million.

There was one spoiled ballot. Thirty-eight per cent of eligible voters voted.

Mayor Peter Clarkson said that while it would have been nice to have a higher turnout, 38 per cent is higher than previous plebiscites held in town.

"Certainly 135-to-82 is a pretty good margin," Clarkson said.

"We've got a clear mandate. We'll start to put together the exact information on the costs and how the project will come together and, as well, at the same time, doing as much fund-raising as we can."

He said the existing family centre committee will likely be expanded, so that one committee may be set up to look at design construction, and another may be set up for fund-raising.

"There'll still be lots of consultation and certainly lots of opportunity to get involved," the mayor said.

"People who are concerned about the costs to ratepayers and to the community overall have the opportunity to get involved and help with some of the fund-raising, or get involved and make some suggestions on how we can do the project the most efficient way possible."

Derek Lindsay, owner of Lindsay's Accounting, is one of those people concerned about the projected construction and operating costs of the family centre.

"They've got to come to the people and say this is what it is going to cost.

'Cause I don't think $6 million is even going to touch it. They didn't do their homework," Lindsay said.

"I'm still all for the concept of a pool, but I didn't support the concept of a huge fitness centre."

Lindsay is also president of the Chamber of Commerce of Inuvik but said the chamber has not taken an official stand on this issue. He also said he was disappointed that the voter turnout wasn't higher, and that he expected the final result to be closer.

Projected costs

Annual operating costs for the centre are estimated at $400,000, and revenues are expected to bring in around $200,000.

If the town takes out a loan for $5 million, it proposes to make annual payments on it of $500,000 annually for 20 years.

To make this payment the town could allocate $200,000 annually from its bingos and lotteries licence fees, and beginning next year the Town of Inuvik is to receive an additional $300,000 in block funding from MACA.

The costs are based on concept drawings. Clarkson said it would have been too expensive to have more detailed drawings done prior to the plebiscite.

"The town wasn't going to commit $50,000 or $100,000 to get exact prices before the community said go ahead."

Next stage

Mike Muller, chair of the town's recreation and parks advisory board, said the plebiscite result is "a very positive message to go forward in a responsible way."

Clarkson said it'll be up to council to determine the best way to get the project underway, and that construction probably will not occur before next year.

"It'll take a while to do the plans, figure out how to do the project, then do some fundraising, get a really good idea of how it would be done," Clarkson said.

"Interest rates are good right now for borrowing. Hopefully they will stay low."