Iqaluit (Nov 29/04) - City council will spend $15,000 on researching the possibility of removing the sunken concrete at the Arctic Winter Games Arena.

The removed portion would be replaced with a sand base, similar to the one used in the old arena.

In 2003, portions of the arena floor began sinking into the ground. One part of the floor has fallen below the boards by about seven inches.

With ice creation impossible, the city closed the arena indefinitely on Oct. 5. Further work is expected to be done if the floor eventually stops moving.

Removing the affected concrete will give the city a chance to see what is causing the problem underneath the concrete, recreation director David St. Louis said during the Nov. 23 council meeting.

"That way we can monitor what's going on," he said. "(Fixing it) may be as simple as adding sand to re-level the floor."

Even if the sand floor represented a permanent solution, it would limit the facility's off season uses. This past summer, the arena was used for a temporary skate park, and more than one soccer tournament.

Though eventually voting to move forward with the contract, Coun. Glen Williams was hesitant.

"We've dumped a lot of money into this. I just want to make sure we're not rushing to do something at the wrong time," Williams said.

Every group in need of ice time has had to share the old arena.

The Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association has been coping with the new schedule, but coach Mike Courtney said the group has had trouble scheduling weekend events.

"If they can do something temporarily with the possibility that there would be a permanent fix in the summer, that would be great," Courtney said.

A total cost estimate for the project will not be available until the work is put out to tender by the city.