RANKIN INLET
Squeals of laughter, flashing blades, red noses and the crack of sticks hitting pucks brings pure Canadiana to life for about six weeks every spring in Rankin Inlet.

Hockey players, sliders and happy young couples coexist peacefully for about six weeks of outdoor bliss on Williamson Lake every spring in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

For more than a decade, the hamlet's recreation department has outdoor rinks created on Williamson Lake.

The sight of a Zamboni ambling over the bank to do the ice every day takes a bit of getting used to for the uninitiated, but the local youths eat it up.

Recreation co-ordinator David Clark said the outdoor rink became so popular, another sheet of ice was cleared for those who would rather skate than take part in the ongoing game of shinny.

He said bleachers have been set up to make it easier to lace up the skates, and for parents who want to keep an eye on their youngsters as they navigate their way around one of the two ice surfaces.

"We put garbage cans there, so the kids aren't littering all over the place, and they've been very good to use them," said Clark.

"And Agnico Eagle was nice enough to make some new benches for us, also.

"I've been down there myself, and there's no better feeling than being on the ice on a nice spring day, with the sun shining and kids having fun around you.

"The kids don't realize they're really improving their skating and other skills just from having so much fun."

While the ice surfaces are packed during the type of spring days Clark describes, a handful of hearty young souls can also be seen darting about on days with a -30 C windchill.

Clark laughs out loud when speaking of the hard-core kids he sees on Williamson Lake under those conditions.

He said he coaches some of the kids in minor hockey, and he always smiles when he looks down on the lake and sees them there.

"They're coming home with a bit of frostbite on their face and ears, and their feet are cold, but they still enjoy it as much as they can.

"It doesn't get much more Canadian than that.

"It's unfortunate we can't do it for the entire winter, but it just gets too darn cold.

"We owe a thank you to Public Works guys like Nick Tattuinee, Troy Aksalnik and Savik Kowmuk for helping me out when it's time to build it."

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