Save the old arena, residents plead

Both young and old hockey players in the city are pleading with council to keep the Arnaitok arena’s doors open. The arena, the city’s oldest, is slated to be shut down this spring.

Grade 5 students from Nakasuk school have written letters to mayor John Matthews asking him not to close the arena. The Iqaluit Old Timers Hockey Club also wants to continue playing at the old arena. They’ve put together a petition and sent it to the mayor.

Matthews said the council will take another look at the city’s budget before it makes a final decision on the fate of the Arnaitok arena. “Any time you plan to cut something, people will be angry,” Matthews admitted.