Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Friday, January 29, 2007

SNOWDRIFT - It was a time to celebrate in Lutsel K'e on Jan. 19 as the community welcomed its new arena in style.

Almost everybody in the community of about 400 turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the $4.3-million facility.

"It was a great event. It was fantastic," said Rita Catholique, the organizer of the opening ceremonies.

Special activities and events to mark the grand opening included a fire ceremony, traditional drumming, a ribbon-cutting, and a community feast.

An inaugural hockey game was also played.

The festivities continued on the weekend with a hockey tournament, which included players from Fort Smith, and a dance.

Community residents and visitors also got a first look at murals painted by Lutsel K'e artist John Rombough in the arena foyer.

The grand opening coincided with the actual opening of the arena, where ice making and staff training began after Christmas. The arena uses natural ice.

Unfortunately, a plane carrying Premier Joe Handley and other dignitaries was unable to make it to Lutsel K'e because of low-lying clouds and returned to Yellowknife.

Catholique said, since the opening, the new arena has been busy every night.

"The kids look forward to going there," she said.

Catholique said she believes the recreational opportunities offered at the arena will be a great benefit for the community, and will help reduce social problems.

Prior to the new arena, there was only an outdoor rink in the community on the south side of Great Slave Lake.

Catholique was involved in construction of the new facility as community project liaison with Lutsel K'e/Nahanni Construction Ltd.

That company was formed by Nahanni Construction of Yellowknife and the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation.

Ken Szarkowicz, the project manager with Nahanni Construction, said it was very rewarding to see the community so happy to welcome the new arena, especially young people.

"The kids were very excited at the opening," he said.

The arena was turned over to Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation in November.