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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The governing body for amateur sport in the NWT is teetering on the brink of disaster as it is facing a large funding shortfall. If things aren't sewn up by Sept. 30, it could spell the unraveling of Sport North.

Sport North president Richard Daitch said it all comes down to whether an agreement can be reached with the NWT Sport and Recreation Council (SRC) and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

"If we don't get a deal done, we could be out of money by the end of September and that means we'll have to make some difficult decisions," he said.

The situation all boils down to Sport North's yearly funding arrangements with the SRC, which acts as the funding agency of Sport North.

Daitch said Sport North's application for funding wasn't properly assessed this year and the organization went through with an appeal on the application to MACA, which was filed on May 20. As of Aug. 25, there was still no word on how the appeal process was going.

"We've been waiting for any sort of hint on how the appeal process would go forward," said Daitch. "We were told it would be as soon as possible. Seven or so business days would be as soon as possible, I think, but we've been waiting more than three months and there's still no answer."

The issue was brought up in the legislative assembly by Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy yesterday during members' statements and question period.

Abernethy talked about how Sport North had been offered $1.68 million dollars by the SRC, but Sport North won't sign the deal because it would only fund six of the 12 main program areas Sport North focuses on.

"One of those areas was coaching and that's a big one for us," said Daitch. "We need to have people to act as community coaches for our athletes and especially for Canada Games and the Arctic Winter Games and so forth."

In addition, Abernethy said Sport North was afraid if it took the deal, its right to appeal would be lost.

MACA Minister Robert C. McLeod said during question period that there would be no threat to the appeal if Sport North accepted the money. McLeod also said the appeal process would be conducted by the SRC when it happens.

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