Should middle school gym be built to regulation size?

Aqsarniik Middle School will be getting a new gym in two years. The big question now is whether the gym should have a rubber floor, or be built to regulation size.

With a regulation-size gym, the school could host sports tournaments.

The Iqaluit District Education Authority wants to know if the community is interested in having a regulation-size gymnasium.

Kathy Smith, chairperson of the education authority, told city councillors at the Nov. 12 meeting that sports teams can’t hold tournaments on rubber-covered gym floors.

“I know what co-hosting the Arctic Winter Games meant to Iqaluit this year,” Smith said.

If Iqaluit residents want the chance to hold more events of this nature, the education authority will suggest to the school’s planning committee to build a regulation-size gym.

Planning for Aqsarniik’s expansion will go ahead this year. The construction is scheduled for two years down the road.