Puck drops on AWG rink repairs

Iqaluit’s mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik, left, Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, centre, and Premier Eva Aariak chat following a news conference in Iqaluit held to announce $7.2 million in infrastructure funds. The money, split between the three levels of government will go to repair the Arctic Winter Games Arena and build a new hamlet office for Taloyoak. (PHOTO BY CHRIS WINDEYER)

For years, hockey players and skaters have had to scramble to get ice time on Iqaluit’s only functioning rink.

But they’re smiling after Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq, Premier Eva Aariak and Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik announced this past Tuesday a $2.25 million fix for the Arctic Winter Games Arena.

The project, which will take roughly six months to complete, will see the arena floor torn up and replaced. The arena hasn’t been used for hockey for about four years because part of the cement pad that supports the ice surface has been sinking into the tundra.

“It’s going to be used again for its original intent,” Sheutiapik said of the arena, which has been serving as a makeshift concert hall and convention centre after being deemed unsuitable for ice sports.

Each level of government will chip in $750,000 to the project. The federal cash comes from an economic stimulus fund contained in this past January’s federal budget.

“This will provide families here in Iqaluit with more opportunities for recreation year-round,” Aglukkaq said.

Sheutiapik told reporters there’s no start date for the repairs yet, and much depends on whether the city can get materials on this year’s sealift.

Still, a second ice surface in Iqaluit is good news for the city’s hockey players, figure skaters, speed skaters and broomballers, all of whom must compete for hard-to-get ice time at the city’s aging Arnaitok Arena.

Aariak said the repair work would create jobs in Iqaluit and improve the city’s quality of life.

And “it will mean that the Arctic Winter Games could be hosted again in this wonderful venue,” the premier said.

The city has eyes for the 2014 edition of the Arctic Winter Games, though Sheutiapik said a bid is in the very early stages. Iqaluit co-hosted the 2002 games with Nuuk.

Also included in the announcement is a total of $5 million to build a new hamlet office in Taloyoak. Ottawa and the Government of Nunavut will split the cost of that new building equally.

The new building will be more energy efficient and large enough to allow the hamlet to hold public meetings in council chambers instead of the local fire hall, Aglukkaq said.