TTHENAAGO/NAHANNI BUTTE - Hockey and broomball are experiencing a resurgence in Nahanni Butte thanks to a newly-created outdoor skating rink.

Located on the site of the former tank farm, the rink was created by volunteers George Tsetso, Wayne Ingarfield and Terry Davidson. This is the first time in a number of years the community has had a designated ice surface.

Residents of Nahanni Butte take advantage of the newly-created outdoor skating rink in the community located on the former tank farm site. - photo courtesy of Wayne Ingarfield

Over the past few years, George Tsetso, said he's been trying to organize the creation of a skating rink, but it never got off the ground. In the past people used the river but stopped because thick snow cover led to a poor ice surface. There was a skating rink created about six years ago but it required too much maintenance and was allowed to lapse, he said.

This year, Tsetso said people saw an opportunity when the tank farm was moved to a new site, leaving behind a lined berm. With permission from the NWT Petroleum Products Division, volunteers got to work to create the rink.

Starting about two weeks ago, the three men filled in low spots and had water delivered to the rink by the band who volunteered the use of their water truck, said Wayne Ingarfield. The next step was to find enough lumber to create end boards to stop pucks.

"Before we knew it we'd scrounged enough wood to cover the whole thing," he said.

The rink, complete with boards, measures approximately 80 by 50 feet and as of Nov. 15. Ingarfield expected the ice surface to be finished over the weekend.

Even without a perfect ice sheet, the rink has had a lot of use.

"It's being used all the time. It's something everyone enjoys," he said.

Students at the Charles Yohin school, where Ingarfield teaches, have been taking advantage of the ice during their physical education time. While students are out playing broomball or hockey, adults often show up to join in.

"That's something you never saw before," Ingarfield said.

After work community members can often be found playing a pick-up game, he said.

"It's a big hit," said Tsetso.

Many people who never come out to activities have been on the ice, said Tsetso. The rink is a great addition to the community because it gets people out of their houses, he said.

Tsetso is in the process of setting up a schedule for activities on the rink. He's posted signs around town with the title "Hockey night in Nahanni Butte" to raise awareness. Tsetso hopes to establish both a men and women's broomball team.

"We're going to hopefully get more people involved," he said.

Using money that the band has set aside for recreation, children's skates and broomball equipment is being purchased. In the long term, Tsetso has plans to host a broomball tournament in Nahanni Butte. He also has some ideas for the rink.

Next year the Petroleum Products Division will do reclamation work on the site, but have promised to level an area for the rink. Ingarfield is pursuing grant opportunities to raise money for a more permanent structure. Tsetso hopes the community will put a roof over the rink to keep snow off the ice.

For now people are just happy to have a place to skate.

"I like it," said Mindy Tsetso.

Tsetso, 12, said skating is her favourite thing to do on the ice although she also enjoys hockey. Having the rink is great, she said.

"I feel good because lots of people go out and play broomball and hockey on it," Tsetso said.

Christian Betsaka, 13, is looking forward to playing hockey, something he couldn't do before in Nahanni Butte.

Having the rink will give people something to do in the winter besides staying inside, he said.

"You get to play when there's nothing else to do," said Betsaka.