Iqaluit (Apr 19/04) - If community halls in Nunavut were people, they would be the best storytellers in the land.

Without fail, in every community, the people who clean the halls, check them daily, set up chairs for events, and lock the doors, speak with passion about the important role they play.

Luke Novoligak community hall in Cambridge Bay is named after a man still living, believed to be the community's oldest elder. There's even a portrait of him featured prominently inside.

"There's so much that goes on there," said Kylo Harris, acting recreation co-ordinator in Cambridge Bay.

If the hall could talk, it would say? "I'm tired."

So much goes on there: weddings and funerals, day care and even belly dancing classes.

But they need another facility because the community is growing. The Kallgik Oaliayok community hall in Kugluktuk was built in 1998 after the old one burned down in 1996.

Harris has seen it, but he considers that facility the perfect type for Cambridge Bay, if and when they get the money to build another.

In Gjoa Haven, Sonny Porter works at the G.W. Porter community hall, a building named after his grandfather.

"It's way too small," said Porter. "We've been trying to get a new one, but the government has no funding."

Its capacity is 130. According to the 2001 census, Gjoa Haven is home to about 960 people.

If it could talk it would say, "I'm too small for the community," said Porter with a laugh.

Jimmy Oleekatalik, recreation co-ordinator in Taloyoak said the E.W. Lyall Community Hall is "up and down. We're trying to improve it. It's about 20 years old."

It holds funerals, weddings, dances, but hardly any square dances.

"I'd like to see more feasts, games, and dances," he said. "Upgrade the community hall. The sound system speakers and amplifiers overheat. And not loud enough."

Kugaaruk's Pierre Henry Centre is named after the first Christian missionary in Kugaaruk in the early 1950s, and it does it all: Summer games, feasts at Easter and Christmas.

"It's been through a lot," said Vince Ningark. "There is talk of renovating it. But it's just talk. Nothing is written in stone."

In Sanikiluaq, the Katittavik community hall just made it through another winter. The pipes froze, and voices on town council rose again about getting a new hall.

"It was small when we got it," said Julie Emikotailak, the recreation co-ordinator. But there is no movement on the new hall, just talk, she said.

Leo Ahmak has been a recreation maintainer in Arviat for 23 years. He speaks with pride about their community hall being the heart of the community. "Yes. It's open all the time."

Chesterfield Inlet's Greg Tanuyak said they need a community hall so they can host more events music festivals.

Chesterfield Inlet used to host musical festivals in its hall, but the sound wasn't good.

"Even when there are public meetings you can't hardly hear the person because it echoes," said Tanuyak.

They use the gym. It doesn't have a stage. Standing room only, it can hold up to 434 people, with chairs for 338 people. With chairs and tables, only 267.

Recreation co-ordinator since 2000, Tanuyak said the Kivalliq traditional summer games in 2001 was a highlight for the community.

"We always talk about (getting a hall). We wish we had a community hall, regular size with a low ceiling."

Tittalittaq Ulutsizuk community hall in Cape Dorset was named after a real man whose story seems pulled from a storybook: he lived in the community in the 1800s, went out camping and got lost. He fashioned seal skins to float on to survive, and today artwork hangs on the wall of the hall depicting this very story.

It is a story that community hall manager Ping Ottokie is happy to tell.

The Salomonie Jaw trial lasted three weeks in that hall recently and stopped regular events.

"But we got through it," he said.

For all those halls that are still standing, age is an issue.

In Qikiqtarjuaq, Rosemary Metuq said their Avviujaq community hall (because of its slope shape it is named after the container that catches the seal fat when you scrape a seal skin) was built in 1979, and is attached to the hamlet office.

"It's smaller than our school gym," she said, noting it feels like it gets smaller every year.

In Panniqtuuq, Colin Kilabuk said their arena can be considered "the heart," but it depends what you like to do.

Lately the Looney Tooney sales have been drawing crowds to the community hall.

"They are really popular," he said.

There are also board games for elders, and checkers three times a week.

Noah Qaqqasiq in Kimmirut said he looks to Cape Dorset as a good example of a fine community hall. Kimmirut does not have one.

"I'm impressed with Cape Dorset," said Qaqqasiq. "I would love to get a community hall for this community. But I know it's hard."

Repulse Bay doesn't have a community hall either.

"We desperately need one," said Brian McQuarrie.

On Dec. 24, 2002, their hamlet complex burned down. The gym that was part of the complex "was used for everything," he said.

Now McQuarrie figures it will cost $1 million to build their own community hall.

If they ever do build one, the name is of vital importance.

"It should be up to the elders to name it," said McQuarrie.