KIVALLIQ
The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Rankin Inlet this past week.
The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution in support of replacing Rankin Inlet's antiquated arena with a new regional sports facility during its annual general meeting in Rankin this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo
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Chamber member Glenn McLean of Baker Lake said one of the resolutions passed by the chamber was to support a new multi-sport facility in Rankin.
McLean said he'd like it to be a regional centre of excellence with two ice rinks, indoor soccer field and a basketball and volleyball court.
He said it's upsetting how many sports are being cut from the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) due to a lack of venues to support them.
"The last go-around, the AWG were split between Iqaluit and Greenland, which is good, but we can do better," said McLean.
"We're a territory now, the economy's thriving in the Kivalliq, and there's more kids wanting to play sports.
"To send our kids to Winnipeg for a hockey school, or for coaching, skating, soccer or basketball clinics is costing us, literally, tens of thousands of dollars.
"If we're going to host the AWG again in Nunavut, this is one of the best locations to do it."
McLean said he sees Rankin hosting hockey, soccer and gymnastics, while Baker Lake hosts basketball and Arviat traditional sports, just to name a few.
He said Nunavut has to start looking at creating centres of excellence for its young athletes.
"You watch the AWG and the athletes demonstrate so much pride and ambition.
"At the same time, you constantly hear our youths are bored because there aren't enough recreational facilities.
"It's my vision, as a dad and grandad, that we start doing more for our youths.
"We say they're our future, so let's build something for them we can all come and enjoy."
McLean said it's no secret Rankin's existing arena is antiquated, especially with the number of territorial and regional events it hosts.
He said if Nunavut is going to compete successfully at the national level, it's time something was built rather than just talked about all the time.
"This is the way it's done no matter where you are.
"Winnipeg is a centre for outlying communities so people can come and participate at a higher level.
"We all know Rankin's going to continue to grow, and it's time for everyone to support it as a regional centre so we can make some positive things happen."
McLean, who has a 25-year history with the Kivalliq, said it's time for the old ways to be tossed aside so the region can move forward.
He said everyone in the region, including himself, has felt a little jealousy over the success of Rankin's sports teams, but a regional centre would benefit all seven communities, not just Rankin.
"I'll be the first to admit when I'm in Baker Lake, I bash Rankin Inlet, but I don't really mean it.
"I don't understand why every Kivalliq community wouldn't support the concept of building a regional complex so all of us could benefit from it.
"We're not saying the Nunavut government should pony up and put this on the capital plan, because we have more pressing needs with housing and education.
"But Rankin's got what it takes right now to, possibly, self-fund a good percentage of it."
