Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Snowdrift (Aug 08/05) - Construction on the Lutsel K'e community arena will begin at the end of the month once two barges deliver all the materials.

Site preparation, the first phase of the three-phase project, finished at the end of June.

"We had a sod turning ceremony a couple of weeks ago, but instead of calling it that we called it a fire ceremony and blessed the land for the arena," said Rita Catholique.

Catholique has been involved in the arena project since it was first discussed in 2000. At the time she was the band manager.

After a lot of discussion, the estimated $4.4 million project is now moving along, she said.

Construction costs are budgeted at $3.7 million, and architectural and engineering services at $323,000.

The Lutsel K'e Dene Band contributed $250,000 to the project this year and plans to do the same in 2006.

The full-size arena will seat 100 people, and includes changing rooms, a concession area as well as office and storage space.

The actual construction - phase two - is expected to last until October 2006.

The finishing touches will go on during phase three and are expected to be completed in time to allow skaters on the natural ice in the winter of 2006/07.

"We really want to make the arena a focal point for youth," Catholique said.

The contract for the design of the arena went to Nadji Architects of Yellowknife.

The facility will sit beside the lake and lower than most of the buildings in Lutsel K'e. It will also be one of the largest buildings - along with the school. Because of this, ensuring the arena structure wasn't an eye-sore was especially important, said Seppo Vuorela, architectural technician with Nadji.

"People will be looking down onto the roof so we want the colours to blend in with the water, ice and background as much as possible," he said, adding the extract colour scheme has yet to be decided.

The structure is a mix of pre-engineered steel and wood. Using wood as much as possible will allow community members to participate in the project.

At least one student will also be assigned by the community to work with the architects, thereby learning how to read blueprints.

"The more people that are involved, the more they will feel like it is their arena," he said.

That is also the idea behind the joint-venture between the Lutsel K'e band and Nahanni Construction. Lutsel K'e/Nahanni Construction will hire as many people from the community as possible, said Ken Szarkowicz, project manager with Nahanni.

"The joint-venture was formed to work on this project, but the hope is to continue with other projects as well."

Once completed, the arena will be owned by the GNWT through the Municipal and Community Affairs department. It will be operated and maintained by the community of Lutsel K'e.

- with files from Dorothy Westerman