RANKIN INLET - The arena is almost ready to open for another season in Rankin Inlet, and that can't come quick enough for the residents of Hockey Town.

Rankin Inlet rec co-ordinator David Clark displays one of the logos being put on the ice surface for the upcoming season in Rankin. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Recreation co-ordinator David Clark expects to have the arena open for business this week.

Clark said he had hoped to be open by the first week of October, but shipping delays pushed back his plans to the middle of the month.

He said if everything goes according to his new plan, people should be skating this coming weekend.

"Our preparation was going smoothly until we had to put in a special order for paint and some other supplies," said Clark.

"The Northern Transportation Company Ltd. told me my supplies would be here in August, but they're still not here.

"So we had to have all our paint flown in so we could get the ice surface and all the lines completed this past week.

"The delay was disappointing, but we're still getting started pretty early."

Hockey fans and players of all ages are eagerly anticipating the start of a new season in Rankin.

Clark said a number of players have already phoned or e-mailed him about registering for Rankin's senior league.

He said minor hockey kicked-off its registration drive earlier this month, and early indications point to a strong season ahead.

"The community seems to be gearing up for another year of hockey and we have some pretty big tournaments this year.

"There's already been a lot of talk about the Avataq Cup tournament because this will be its 10th anniversary.

"Our committee will be putting a lot of extra work into the Avataq this year to make its 10th anniversary something really special."

In addition to the Avataq Cup (March 2-6), Rankin will host the Polar Bear Plate juvenile/junior tourney (Feb. 17-20), the Challenge Cup junior C and Arctic Atoms events (Feb. 25-27), the Powerful Peewees (Feb.11-13), and the Midget Territorial Championship (March 18-21).

Clark said the community hall is also getting a minor facelift this year.

He said a new stage is being constructed for the hall and a fresh coat of paint applied.

"There will also be some renovations done to the washrooms during the next month.

"We were hoping to get it all done in September, when the building is pretty quite, but, due to shipping problems, all the materials still haven't arrived to do the work.

"All in all, it looks like it's going to be a pretty busy year."

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