Recreation for the whole family
Lots of activities for people of all ages in Rankin Inlet this summer
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2014
RANKIN INLET
With the controlled chaos of Pakallak Tyme and the annual fishing derby now behind it, the Department of Recreation now turns its attention to one of the busiest summers of activity ever seen in Rankin Inlet.
Lydia Tatty, left, keeps a close eye on the measuring skills of recreation co-ordinator David Clark as Doug McLarty snaps a photo of the proceedings during the annual Rankin Inlet Fishing Derby earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Recreation co-ordinator David Clark said he was pleased with how well both Pakallak Tyme and the fishing derby went this year.
He said big crowds were the norm during Pakallak Tyme activities, and the decision to hold an event to recoup some of the expense turned out to be a smart move.
"We hired Iqaluit's Trade Offs to play at a beer dance and it sold out," said Clark.
"Everyone had a good time, we had no issues, and we made a good profit on it, which helped cover off the cost of the rest of the events.
"We still spent $20,000 on Pakallak Tyme, but the dance really helped lower our overall costs."
Clark said the hamlet decided to move the fishing derby up a week because of conditions out on the land.
He said that decision also turned out to be a good one when bad weather put a damper on the May long weekend, when the derby is traditionally held.
"We're busy with our spring cleaning right now, and organizing what we have to do with all the facilities we take care of.
"The tarp was taken off of the soccer field this past week, and more than a hundred kids were on it the first day.
"We're putting programming in place this summer for kids aged six to 13 to have both soccer and softball twice a week.
"And we're also doing a major upgrade to Victor's Playground through a grant we had approved to install an outdoor Flex Court basketball court."
The hamlet also received about $20,000 for additions to four playgrounds it runs in the community.
Clark said there's been a desire expressed to start a community soccer league during the summer months.
He said he'll help guide that as much as time allows during a hectic summer schedule.
"Our summer orders are coming up, and we got a new backstop for our adult softball field.
"We also have to have the ball hockey and volleyball courts ready to go, as well as the shooting range.
"While we're busy with our summer activities, we have to install a bunch of new lights in the arena we had approved through the Sport Nunavut (Sport and Recreation Division of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth) facilities program.
"And, of course, we also have our usual Canada Day and Nunavut Day celebrations, so there will be no shortage of things to do in Rankin Inlet this summer."
