Pond Inlet gets a new climate-controlled arena

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak presents a hockey trophy to Pond Inlet’s Mayor Jaykolasie Killiktee during the March 23 opening of that community’s new arena. Accompanying Aariak on the trip: James Arreak, minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth (far right), Tununiq MLA Joe Enook (second from right), and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq (right). (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT)

Pond Inlet hockey players stand on the ice during for the official opening of their new arena. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GN)

Pond Inlet’s hockey players and ice-skaters will enjoy an extended ice season in the community’s new indoor rink.

Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq and Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak travelled to the Baffin community March 23 to celebrate the opening of the new arena.

“Recreational infrastructure is an important staple in building healthy communities across Nunavut,” said Aariak in a news release. “This arena is an excellent place to gather, build community spirit, and encourage physical activity among the people of Pond Inlet.”

The arena has new concrete flooring and a thermosiphon cooling system.

Thermosiphons, long metal pipes stuck into the ground, help keep the ice frozen.

During the warm months of the year, thermosiphons also remove warm air from below the concrete flooring and release it outside the building, preventing the ground under the building from melting and shifting.

A ventilation system will also bring cooler air in from the outdoors to maintain the ice.

In 2009, Nunavut’s community and government services department did feasibility studies in both Arviat and Coral Harbour to look at how to extend the ice season.

Since the study identified thermosiphon technology as an efficient way to cool rinks in Nunavut, a number of communities have made similar upgrades, including Coral Harbour, Arviat, Igloolik and Sanikiluaq.

Repulse Bay and Resolute Bay have also recently opened new arenas using thermosiphon technology.

Pond Inlet’s new arena cost $6.2 million to construct, money that came from Nunavut’s 2009-2012 capital plan.

Residents of the Baffin community planned to host a community feast in the new centre March 23.