Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, July 9, 2007

INUVIK - Somewhere at the Inuvik Fire Department is a machine designed to make people laugh.

It's the department's "dunk tank," which drops people into a vat of water when they least expect it.

"That was fun," said James Day after getting soaked in the Dunk Tank on Canada Day. The device is used for charity events and celebrations in Inuvik, and is triggered by a well-thrown baseball. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

Mechanically speaking, the tank is a pretty clever invention.

A plywood board presents a target that reads "be fire safe, " and with the precise throw of a baseball, whoever is sitting on a bench gets a sudden drop - and an undesired, cold bath.

Fire Chief Al German said the tank was built about ten years ago by safety officer Rick Lindsay. He's a trades instructor at Aurora College, and his knowledge of welding made the project possible.

A former volunteer firefighter, Mike Gordon, painted a Dalmatian and the deal was done.

Over the years, some famous people have sat in the tipping chair, including Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland and former mayor Peter Clarkson, German added.

On Canada Day, the tank was installed outside the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre, and volunteers lined up to throw baseballs.

A group of children also clamoured to sit on the chair, seemingly undeterred by their inevitable soaking.

Phil Alexie, 12, laughed as people threw baseballs and repeatedly missed - until, of course, someone didn't.

And James Day, who himself fell with a loud splash, said he would gladly do it again.

"That was really fun - it doesn't hurt," he said, looking like he'd just been hit by a tidal wave.

Deputy Fire Chief Julie Miller said the tank has a good message.

"It's just to show the kids they can have fun in a safe way," she said.

But while the tank might be safe - 10 years and not a single injury, proudly reports German - there's no denying it has a sadistic kind of charm.

But even for those getting soaked, there are worse places to be in Inuvik.

"Hey, better the dunk tank than the drunk tank," said local musician Ray Massey.