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INUVIK - Users of the rec complex ice rink have established their schedules for the upcoming season.

Every year, the groups who use the ice get together to negotiate a schedule for their time on the hockey rink.

Josh McDonald, recreation programmer for the Town of Inuvik, hosted the annual user group meeting for the rec complex arena ice last week. He said minor hockey is taking the lion's share of ice time as usual this year. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

This year, the usual parties were all in attendance, with the addition of a new group to the ice - the Inuvik Youth Centre.

Town recreation programmer Josh McDonald said the youth centre is booked for two one-hour sessions per week.

The minor hockey association took the most ice time.

McDonald explained that because the minor hockey group has so many levels, they need the most time on the ice.

"They have a really long session on Saturdays," he said.

"The have ice time from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m."

McDonald said the users don't choose their schedule by a lottery, they work together and find the best solution for everyone who uses the arena.

"We want the best for everyone who uses the ice," he said.

"All the groups work well together, they give a little, take little."

The user group meeting serves two purposes, explained McDonald.

"First we draw up a schedule that we use for that coming season," he said.

"The we pick the date for the community registration night."

This year, the group chose to host the registration night on Monday, Sept. 22.

During the community registration night, people can come to the complex and choose what group they want to be a part of.

Many groups attend this meeting, looking to sign up new members.

At last year's community registration night, the cadets, minor hockey, quilters and other interest groups were in attendance.

At the user group meeting, McDonald said that all interested groups were on hand to discuss scheduling.

"There are usually eight or nine groups at the meeting," he said.

An important element being introduced to the rec complex this year is the artificial defibrillator system.

"We're getting two AD's installed in time for the upcoming season," said McDonald.

Because life-saving equipment will need trained operators, McDonald said that a representative of each user group will need to attend a training course on how to use the machine, should an emergency ever arise.

"We'll have one installed at the pool and at the arena," he said.

The training course for the defibrillator is a two-hour session that will be instructed by family centre supervisor Rob Smith.

The course takes place on Monday Sept. 15 at the rec complex.

McDonald noted that the staff at the complex will also take the course, so that they are ready in case of an emergency. There are still a few openings on the schedule for groups that might want small periods of ice time.

"We have an open slot on Wednesday and Saturday," said McDonald.

New users are expected to pay a $1,000 deposit in case their monthly fees are not paid.

"If the new users don't pay their monthly invoice, we can take the money from the deposit," McDonald explained.

Veteran users do not have to pay the deposit.

"Once they are an established user group, they don't need that anymore," he said.