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Shorty surprised by arena name announcement

Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/04) - Clarence "Shorty" Brown says he had no idea the city and Diavik Diamond Mine want to name an arena after him -- although he feels mighty honoured by it.

Brown was a day away from returning from vacation in Hawaii when the two parties announced last Wednesday they intend to name the second ice pad of the Multiplex after him.

He was also on vacation when he was made a member of the Order of Canada by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson in January.

Until he actually sees his name on the building, the long-time resident and patron of kids' hockey programs said he won't hold the city or Diavik to any promises.

"Even the memorandum (of understanding) can be scrapped," said Brown on Monday. "These are just words and handshakes and that."

"You'd think the mayor or the guys from Diavik (would've called), but definitely I'll get a shot, and sure, why not?"

Shorty Brown's name was the first choice among readers in a Yellowknifer poll conducted last year, asking who they would prefer naming the arena after.

Neither Mayor Gord Van Tighem or officials with Diavik could be reached for comment.

City Councillor Wendy Bisaro -- who is filling in for the mayor this week -- said the decision to name the second ice sheet after Shorty Brown came out of a request from Diavik.

"That's part of an agreement we made with Diavik," said Bisaro.

Brown said what pleases him most is that Diavik is taking the lead in constructing the second pad.

The city had originally estimated the NHL-sized pad -- the first sheet of ice is Olympic-sized -- would cost $4 million to build, and wouldn't be complete until 2007.

The agreement reached between Diavik and the city last week may see costs dramatically reduced, and construction begin this year.

Diavik will spend the next couple weeks evaluating the project, after which they will declare whether or not they're willing to proceed.

"That's a meeting place for kids," said Brown.

"If you want to get them off drugs or alcohol, you've got to build a rink. Now we can put all sorts of recreation in it, from volleyball to you name it.

" I feel (Diavik) has done a great service to Yellowknife."