Yellowknife (Aug 11/03) - Twenty-two Northern communities will share a $1 million grant from a new territorial government program.

The Community Initiatives Program, sponsored by the Ministry of Municipal and Community Affairs, provides money to communities without a tax base to help build new recreation facilities or improve old ones.

Projects on tap for this year include a baseball diamond in Aklavik ($50,000), an outdoor hockey rink in Tsiigehtchic ($50,000), a swimming pool in Tulita ($100,000), a field in Wha Ti ($45,000) a playground in Trout Lake ($40,000) and a community youth centre in Fort Resolution ($80,000).

"The money is very important to smaller communities," said Lianna Clarke, recreation director in Enterprise.

Clarke says her community plans to use the $51,000 it was given to resurface its outdoor basketball and tennis courts.

"Right now they are in pretty bad shape," she said.

"The asphalt surface is over 10 years old and in many places vegetation is growing through."

Clarke also said some of the money will go towards building a new half-pipe for skateboarders.

The half-pipe is a priority because the only suitable surface for skateboarding in Enterprise is the highway.

"All of the roads are dirt, so there really isn't anywhere else for kids to skateboard," said Clarke.

"Naturally, we'd like to get them off the highway."

The money will also mean a lot to the NWT's more isolated communities, said Tony Rabesca of the Gameti First Nation.

Rae Lakes plans to use its $59,000 grant to build a new nine-hole golf course complete with artificial greens and tee boxes.

"It's important to offer a number of activities to the people who live in smaller communities," said Rabesca.

"This will give people a chance to play golf who otherwise wouldn't be able to."

Rabesca said construction should begin in a few weeks and wrap up in late September, so the course will be open for business next spring.

"Hopefully, by next year, we'll even be able to hold a tournament," he said.