ARVIAT
Hockey season in the Kivalliq brings with it a number of tournaments across the region.

Theresa Kigusiutnak has a tray of breakfast sandwiches ready to go at Arctic Connections during the JLM Calm Air Cup senior men's hockey tourney in Arviat this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

And those events can often bring big bucks into the community hosting them.

Jim Ramsay, owner and operator of Arctic Connections in Arviat, said it's a huge deal to local retailers when an event like the JLM Calm Air Cup hockey tournament is held in the community.

Ramsay said the economic and emotional impact felt by the community is the "real deal."

He said Arviat only hosts one major hockey tournament a year and it creates a real buzz in the community.

"The people here start looking forward to the JLM Calm Air Cup about two months before it begins, and they talk about it a month after it's over," said Ramsay.

"So there's no question it has a huge impact on the people of the community and our local businesses.

"You have a couple hundred people coming into town and they all have some money in their pockets.

"They see a lot of new different products and some different price points, so they do business with everybody."

Ramsay's operation is within a few minutes walk of the arena, and its kitchen serves an attractive menu to players and fans during the tournament.

He said there's not a lot of options in Arviat when it comes to getting a hot meal when the players and fans exit the arena after the final game between 10 to 11:30 p.m.

"We'd all like to see more of these events being held here, but it's a big undertaking and, as a community, we really don't have a lot of places for people to stay.

"When it was our turn to host the mayor's meetings, for example, they had to split them between Arviat and Rankin Inlet.

"So that shows the lack of overall infrastructure we have to deal with.

"But, I'd still like to see more events held here like, maybe, some Arctic Winter Games events because, after all, we are the second-largest community in Nunavut now."

Arctic Connections chipped in with Pierre Ikakhik to provide the sweaters for a team in this year's JLM Calm Air Cup in memory of Larry Ussak.

Ramsay said the JLM always seems to boost the spirit of the community every year.

He said the crowds have really grown at the arena during the past three years, and he sees that continuing in the future.

"The JLM has really grown during the past few years and the competition has become a lot stronger.

"There's a real excitement in the community for the JLM every year now because the fans are getting to see some really good, exciting hockey.

"It's also very nice to have the games broadcast on local radio, because there's a lot of older folks in our town who can't get around that well anymore and they want to be part of the fun too.

"It's become a great event for the spirit of the community and it provides a nice bit of economic spinoff for small business in the hamlet, as well."

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