Rankin Inlet (Apr 02/03) - People in Rankin Inlet are getting an additional chance for some icy fun this winter.

The hamlet has cleared two outdoor skating rinks on Williamson Lake -- a larger one for adults and older youth and a smaller surface for the younger kids.

A wide track looping the entire lake was also cleared.

Hamlet recreation co-ordinator Johnny Tucktoo says the outdoor rinks have been constructed for the past few years, but a new location was chosen this year so the skating surfaces wouldn't interfere with snowmobiles.

"The rink was also smaller in previous years," says Tucktoo.

"This year's location doesn't hinder the snowmobile trail, so that allowed us to do a bit more with it, including making it much larger."

Tucktoo says hockey games are welcome at the outdoor rink.

"We're putting the spare nets from the arena on the lake for just that purpose.

"Broomball is another fun activity people would enjoy here."

Tucktoo says the rink is a good way to bring both youth and adults out, and to provide families with another way to enjoy some good wholesome fun together.

The rinks were scraped down and flooded by the arena Zamboni to create an impressive outdoor ice surface.

Picnic tables are also being set up to give people a place to sit while lacing up their skates.

Tucktoo says once the weather warms a bit, the hamlet will be setting up a barbecue at the site.

He says the barbecue and tables will be available to anyone wanting to hold a day-long event before Pakallak Tyme.

"We're hoping to get until the end of April or early May out of this.

"As long as the weather holds, we'll definitely have some scheduled events here during Pakallak Tyme."

Tucktoo says unlike previous years, the hamlet is going to regularly maintain the ice surface.

"If we get a storm this year, we're going to go right our and clear, scrape and flood it right away.

"As long as the weather holds to the point where we're able to keep getting the Zamboni to Williamson Lake, we'll continue to keep maintaining the rinks and the loop."