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CORAL HARBOUR
The people of Coral Harbour came out in droves to celebrate the grand opening of their renovated arena earlier this month.

Community and Government Services Minister Lorne Kusugak, right, of Rankin Inlet hands out reflector straps at the grand opening of the renovated arena in Coral Harbour earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Elissa McKinnon

A number of dignitaries were present for the event, including Premier Eva Aariak, Community and Government Services Minister Lorne Kusugak, Nanulik MLA Johnny Ningeongan and Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk.

After the community celebrated its opening, the arena hosted its first major event with the Joseph Natakok Memorial senior men's hockey championship.

Rankin Inlet defeated the Coral Islanders 3-2 to claim the first championship in the renovated building.

In addition to having a thermosyphon system installed -- which will lengthen the amount of time ice can be maintained yearly -- a new concrete floor, boards and glass surrounding the ice surface were put in.

The floor will allow the hamlet to hold various sporting events during the summer, as well as large community gatherings.

Kusugak said he didn't realize how excited a community could get over an improved arena.

He said the level of excitement he witnessed in Coral was incredible.

"It was really quite thrilling to be there," said Kusugak.

"I expected a few people to come out, and we'd say hello and be on our way.

"But it looks really beautiful, and the people are excited and proud to have a facility like that."

Kusugak said, for the most part, the thermosyphon projects have been going well.

He said while there was a hiccup in Arviat, the system is proving itself to be a valuable addition to a community.

"The situation in Arviat was unfortunate, but the hockey community is looking at the big picture and knows, at the end of the day, it's going to have everything in place.

"These systems are going to level the playing field in terms of available ice time during the season.

"Rankin may have an artificial-ice system, but it doesn't have a cement floor.

"So, in fact, these renovations are putting communities further ahead because the floor will allow them to have indoor tennis, soccer, playgrounds, skateboarding or you name it."

Kusugak said a new cement floor allows a community to make use of its arena year-round.

He said people he met with in Coral are happy the renovations are going to allow them to do more in their arena than just skate longer.

"We all know the need we have for recreational facilities in Nunavut, and there's not too many sports that can't be played in these arenas once the floor is in and the upgrades completed.

"In Coral, when you add in all new boards and glass, people are excited about it because they can do a lot in that beautiful arena.

"We were only there for a few hours and it was really cold, but the place was just packed for the ceremony.

"There were a lot of kids there with smiling faces, so it was a good visit."

Kusugak said there's nothing second-rate about the new thermosyphon systems.

He said the system does what it promises with almost zero maintenance involved.

"How many times has the artificial-ice plant broken down in Rankin, with a lot of money then having to be spent to get it up again?

"Thermosyphons are proven now and, as far as I've been told, they work well, so I don't foresee any problems with them.

"They cost a lot less than artificial-ice plants, which require a lot more maintenance, so I hope they're going to continue to work well across Nunavut."

Kusugak said there's now more communities interested in having a thermosyphon system and concrete floor installed.

He said if the government can roll out two or three a year, it won't take long for every community to enjoy the benefits.

"It's important for our further-south communities, where winter doesn't really happen until January.

"We want to get this into as many communities as possible, but we have to go by need and some other things.

"We have two or three on the horizon right now, with Whale Cove, Panniqtuuq, Kugluktuk and places like that topping the list."

Kusugak said another benefit to renovated arenas is the community pride you see people take in the buildings.

He said Coral is a shining example of the positive impact a vastly-improved facility can have.

"People were genuinely happy in Coral about this.

"You could see it in the looks on their faces.

"I'm not overstating, at all, how happy and excited people were during our visit.

"And that was about a month after it was finished, so I can imagine the looks that were on their faces the first day they entered the building after the work was completed."

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