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Wet feet no longer a problem Nicole Veerman Northern News Services Published Wednesday, August 3, 2011
"We're saving more money on shoes now," joked Richard Aksawnee, assistant recreation co-ordinator for the hamlet. Aksawnee said until the new field opened in mid-June, ball players would run around on the old community field, located on the north end of town, with squishy, wet feet because the ground was muddy and damp all year around. Mayor David Aksawnee said he often received complaints about the old field. "I used to get a lot of complaints that the kids were wearing out their running shoes - they're buying too many running shoes in one season." But that's not a problem at the new regulation-size softball field, located near the Qulliq Energy office. "The ground is nice and levelled and dry compared to our old one," said Aksawnee, who is not only the assistant rec co-ordinator, but the coach of the junior softball division. He said since he started coaching nine years ago, the number of youth showing up for games has more than tripled, reaching up to 40 players. And those players are the ones that are benefiting the most from the new field, he said. The new field, which was fully funded by Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd., has brand new fencing, bleachers, dugouts and a score keeper's box. When the hamlet did a feasibility study to see how much it would cost to develop the field, the estimate came out to $347,000, said Aksawnee. He said having the cost covered by Agnico-Eagle was appreciated by the whole community. Construction of the diamond began last summer and was completed in June. The hamlet celebrated the opening of the new field during its annual community celebration on June 17. The first game on the field was played that day, with one team made up of community members and another of Agnico-Eagle employees. Aksawnee said the game was just for fun, though.
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