Rankin Inlet (May 07/03) - The controversy continues to rage over the old Anglican Church.

The church is situated on the main street of Rankin's downtown core, a few feet from the edge of the pavement.

Built by Moses Aliyak and Armand Tagoona in 1958, the old church was gutted by fire in the early 1990s.

Since then, it was supposed to be torn down, become a training facility for firefighters and be moved to Williamson Lake as part of a heritage complex.

The latest scenario would have it moved next to the current Anglican Church.

The move was proposed by Piruqsaijit Ltd., which was also behind the plan to move it to Williamson Lake as part of an Inuit Heritage Museum and office complex.

General manager Hilary Rebeiro said the company planned to build a museum, office building and walking trail by the lake.

The idea was refused by hamlet council.

Rebeiro suspects council said no because it saw the plan as an Evaz project.

"From the questions asked when I appeared before them, it was as if the hamlet thought we trying something unusual or underhanded on them," said Rebeiro.

"I don't have time to waste. It's not my heritage that's disappearing, so we asked the Anglican Church if it was interested.

"There's a lot of history in this church. You'd think it would be something people would want preserved."

Hamlet not impressed

Hamlet SAO Ron Roach scoffs at the notion of the building being an historic site.

He also scoffs at the notion Piruqsaijit had a solid plan for its Williamson Lake project.

Roach said there was never even a proper business plan submitted to council on the project, only a letter of intent outlining the idea.

"It's great to have an idea, but how are you going to accomplish it?

"Where are you going to get your funding? What is your anticipated date of completion?" said Roach

"None of these issues were ever addressed.

"And, as far as any role Evaz had in all this -- the hamlet had no concern one way or the other about Evaz's involvement with that project."

Roach said the church building has outlived its usefulness and doubts if it could hold up to a move.

But, if it is proven feasible, he said Piruqsaijit should submit a letter to the hamlet requesting financial assistance.

"The company should outline its plans and ask if council wants to be part of a project to save what some may perceive as a heritage building."

Roach said representatives from the Anglican Church will also have to sit down with the hamlet's lands officer to review the size of their current lot to see if the church can be located there.

"When you look at it from the hamlet's perspective, why would we move a building to let it sit there as a fire trap when there's no real business plan in place?

"We need to know: Can the building be moved?

"Can it move to the proposed site?

"What is the total cost? Who are the funding partners?

"To date, this has all been a very ad hoc approach."

Church welcomes

proposal

Canon Paul Williams said the vestry would welcome the gift of the old church with gratitude.

He said if the move is successful, the Deacon's Cupboard would probably be expanded and moved to the old church after it was fixed up.

Williams does share Roach's concern over funding.

He said while the community will have to step forward to help, the hamlet should also lend a financial hand because it has a vested interest in the move.

"The hamlet has been forcing the issue to have the old church either moved or destroyed," said Williams.

"One claim is that it sits too close to the road.

"But it also sits on a prime lot, and that's probably the main reason why the hamlet wants it gone."

Rev. Mike Shouldice said if the building can be moved, it would be a welcome addition to the church's current operations.

"To be able to expand the Deacon's Cupboard and have our own facility would be really exciting," said Shouldice.

"That operation has become very successful, to the point where people from out of town phone to see if it's open while they're passing through.

"It amazes me how popular it's become and having its own facility would allow that growth to continue."