Snowmobiles burned in ski club break-in
Community rallies behind club for final event of the year
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 24, 2015
INUVIK
Police are still investigating a break-in that occurred at the Inuvik Ski Club Dec. 18, but that hasn't stopped skiers from hitting the trails.
One of the two snowmobiles destroyed at the Inuvik Ski Club Dec. 18 was burnt to the ground, said ski club president Andrew Haas. - photo courtesy of Andrew Haas
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A news release from the RCMP stated officers responded to a call for service around 7 a.m. Dec. 18 to a spot just south of the ski club where two snowmobiles were on fire. The Inuvik Fire Department was called and the fires put out. The snowmobiles were found to belong to the Inuvik Ski Club and had been taken from a locked shed.
"The biggest impact was to our ability to provide services to the ski club," said ski club president Andrew Haas about the loss of two 2013 Ski-Doo Skandic snowmobiles, which are largely used for clearing and maintaining the trails. "But we really didn't have any downtime at all, thanks to the support of the RCMP, Northwinds, and the Town of Inuvik, who all helped in some way."
When the break-in happened, the club had been gearing up for its final event of the year, a moonlight ski for all ages to mark the darkest time of the year.
Haas was happy to report that not only was there an impressive turnout to help get the trails ready for the event, but that Inuvik's skiing community also came out in droves for the event itself on Dec. 20.
"It's really heartwarming to see everyone come out in support when this kind of thing happens," said Haas. "That's the blessing of a small town."
Haas also said he is always blown away by such responses in the community, having come from a larger city himself. He said it's not just people giving money, but also their time and hands-on help that makes it so special.
Still, the loss of the snowmobiles is a blow. RCMP Const. Kevin Devoe stated in the news release that damage is expected to be more than $5,000. Similar models of snowmobiles sell for about $11,000 each. Haas said that while one sled was merely rendered inoperable, the other burned down to almost nothing. The person or people who took them did not have keys but on-board computers allow the snowmobiles to be started and moved a short distance.
Devoe said the investigation was still underway on Dec. 21 and police are asking for anyone who knows anything about the incident to contact the RCMP directly or Crimestoppers, either online or by phone. No arrests had been made.
