Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 01/02) - City council has spared the life of the Arnaitok Arena.

Iqaluit will pay the $300,000 to keep the rink open for another year. But keeping it open in future years will hinge on public-private partnerships -- and on how much it gets used.

At a public meeting last Monday, about 45 residents, including coaches, players and parents, argued the city needs both arenas.

Glen Higgins is the president of the Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association. He said the city is growing and so is the number of young hockey players.

Some youth have a hard time arranging transportation to the new arena, which is halfway to Apex, he said. "That means kids dropping out."

A hockey program for youth that targets at-risk kids would not survive the closure, he added.

Higgins argued Iqaluit will never host another Arctic Winter Games without two arenas.

Mayor John Matthews asked if public transportation would help.

"Transportation would solve some of our challenges," said Higgins. But he rejected the idea that it is a solution or acceptable trade-off for closing the arena.

"I'm not willing to put a price tag on saving kids lives," he said. "Minor hockey cuts suicide."

Ed Picco, Iqaluit East MLA and a hockey enthusiast, said the city could raise the money by finding corporate sponsors.

"The point is the city has options," he said.

Hockey mom Elisapee Davidee suggested the city seek out federal funds.

Several people suggested the arena could be used for activities other than hockey games, such as in-line skating and skateboarding.

Some felt the information handed out by the city was biased -- in favour of shutting down the arena.

But Matthews said the people had swayed his opinion. "The points you've made are real and valid," he said.

The next day, council decided to keep the arena open. Coun. Lynda Gunn -- an advocate of saving the arena -- suggested forming a committee to find long-term funding.

Coun. Keith Irving pointed out that, while hockey is important, the city also needs a new pool and baseball diamond.

"I tentatively support the proposal to spend some time and support looking at this for another year," he said. "But I want to make it clear this is use it or lose it."