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TUKTOYAKTUK
One Tuktoyaktuk RCMP officer has taken an alternative route to crime prevention in his community.

Const. Phil Zigayer recently completed work on new skate park equipment for the hamlet's aging facility.

"I took it upon myself to get the kids some skateboards and helmets, built a ramp and bought them a rail," said Zigayer. "Essentially, that's what I find up here - the kids need more to do. So, I tried to give them something to do."

Zigayer constructed a ramp in the RCMP garage out of material donated by Tuk Housing, and brought in a rail from the south. He has also given away 11 boards to date, along with 11 helmets to keep the kids safe.

The new equipment was completed on July 8 and put in place beside an existing half pipe at one end of the basketball court near the Youth Centre. Once the project was complete, Zigayer donated it to the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk so that the community can use and move the pieces as they see fit.

"It's for them to do what they want with it," he said.

Zigayer is quick to share credit for the effort, thanking those who got on board with his plan, including Trevor Alguire from On Deck Skateboards, Rob Mackton, and the staff at the Ottawa - his hometown - Sport Check where he bought the skateboards and who gave him a healthy discount.

The new skate equipment has had a very positive reaction among both kids and adults in the community, said Zigayer. He hopes that the new form of recreation will interest some of the youth and give them a passion to pursue. He knows the benefits of being involved in skateboarding firsthand, he said.

"When I was younger, skateboarding helped me a lot."

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