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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Feelings of outrage and disappointment ran through Rankin Inlet this past week after regular members of the legislative assembly carried a motion to drop $500,000 from the Government of Nunavut's (GN) capital plan for the planning and design of a community complex in Rankin.

Rankin Inlet recreation co-ordinator David Clark wonders how many years the antiquated Rankin arena still has left in it. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Rankin Coun. Kyle Sheppard said he found the decision upsetting, and was outraged by cabinet abstaining from voting on the motion.

Sheppard said a lot of work went into the feasibility and pre-design study on a new arena and complex for Rankin, funded by Community and Government Services (C&GS) this past year.

"The plan developed was for a new arena, gym, fitness facility, running track, swimming pool and community hall, but nobody expected this to be built in one shot with a $30-million cheque from the GN," said Sheppard.

"This was always intended to be a long-term, multi-year plan and everyone involved expected private money to become involved somewhere along the line.

"Once we found out it was in the capital plan we assumed it would proceed to the next logical step, which would be design.

"Once that was complete, we could have begun lobbying for funding, both private and public, with the knowledge the project was designed and ready to go."

Sheppard said every hamlet needs infrastructure, but Rankin has one of the oldest arenas in the territory and is, basically, dealing with crumbling infrastructure.

He said the priority has always been a new arena, and would be phase one of any project going forward.

"It's irrefutable that Rankin Inlet leads the territory with its local hockey program.

"But this is about more than just hockey.

"We have the potential to make this complex a regional centre for excellence that players of various sports in all Kivalliq communities would be able to utilize.

"We're the hub of the region and could be where they come to train for national and territorial championships, and people aren't realizing that."

Sheppard said MLAs may seem willing to reconsider the project but, with the decision made this past week, there are no guarantees.

He said that's illustrated by the fact not many would have believed the entire cabinet would abstain from voting on a motion so important to Rankin Inlet.

"I have a big problem when anyone abstains because they're elected to have an opinion.

"Political games are played, but, to me, it's about trying to save face when all of cabinet abstains and I'm more than a little concerned by that.

"But, as far as I'm concerned, nothing can stop this project from happening.

"It's a matter of when, not if, in my books."

C&GS Minister Lorne Kusugak said he was surprised by the motion.

But, he said, there's still room to move forward on a new arena as a solo project.

"It's important for Rankin to take the high road on this issue," said Kusugak.

"We have the chance to bring it forward through a supplementary appropriation bill, and we will do that at the earliest opportunity at the next sitting of the House.

"It will be a designing phase for an arena only, and I have commitment from MLAs who spoke to support a substantiation sheet for planning and design of an arena in Rankin."

Kusugak said the dropped proposal should have been on a new arena only, but, in the scope of work, it included a number of additions.

He said the planning and design would have been supported if it had been for a new arena only.

"The regular members were afraid of it including planning-and-design work for a whole complex.

"It's always easy to say you're just doing this because it's Rankin, but I've been told they will support this as arena-only so I'll take their word on that.

"They said, on the record, they didn't feel it was right for Rankin to get another swimming pool and other facilities while other Nunavut communities don't even have swimming pools, and I don't disagree with that because it's important for every community to have facilities."

Kusugak said it was common sense for cabinet to abstain after the regular MLAs voted to support the motion.

He said cabinet just doesn't have the numbers to counter the regular MLA votes.

"You can beat a dead horse, but it doesn't get you anywhere faster.

"It just creates other unforeseen issues a little further down the land.

"We have to wait three months and we'll get it then, so let's move on and not have hard feelings."

Kusugak said the turn of events may mean even more hope for a new Rankin arena.

He said with a number of MLAs on record in support of arena-only planning and design, this development should only mean a delay.

"They could have just said we want this defeated and that's it.

"The members could have killed it right there and said no $500,000 at any time.

"They said they're just stopping it for now and if I submit only for an arena they'll support me.

"I appreciate that and the Rankin people should also appreciate this opportunity."

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