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Resolute seeks to reopen arena; close to $100,000 in repairs needed

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Resolute youth take to the ice during a hockey clinic in 2017. The local arena has been closed due to accumulating deficiencies. The facility requires almost $100,000 in repairs. photo courtesy of the Hamlet of Resolute

Hamlet council is aiming to tackle nearly $100,000 in needed repairs to reopen the community arena, which was dormant last year and much of the year prior.

Resolute youth take to the ice during a hockey clinic in 2017. The local arena has been closed due to accumulating deficiencies. The facility requires almost $100,000 in repairs.
photo courtesy of the Hamlet of Resolute

There are numerous problems plaguing the facility, such as a faulty air handling unit, broken motors for the fans connected to the building’s heaters, leaks from the glycol line, failing relay switches and the water tank needs to be cleaned, according to senior administrative officer Kimberley Young.

Resolute Mayor Mark Amarualik said he’s eager to see the facility – built in 2011 for $7.8 million – back in service for the community’s 200 residents.

“I hope we can get the arena opened as soon as possible so that we can utilize it during the coldest time of the year and during the dark season – more activities and more things to do,” said Amarualik, who previously served as the community’s recreation coordinator.

The hamlet sent an estimate for repairs to the Department of Community and Government Services (CGS) in early December but there was no official response as of early last week, said Young.

“We’re trying to cover the costs ourselves at this point… we’re just coming out of deficit now and we’re trying really hard to stay out of deficit,” she said. “This is a big chunk of money so we’re really hopeful that we can get some assistance.”

CGS told Nunavut News that the hamlet is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the arena and the municipality intends to manage the repair work.

“If the hamlet requires additional support, they are eligible to pursue this by submitting a proposal to CGS,” a CGS communications specialist stated on Jan. 8.

ATCO, which has an office in Resolute, has been lending a hand, Young said, noting that many of the repairs are beyond what hamlet staff can perform because certified tradespeople are required.

“It’s kind of a joint effort,” she said of ATCO’s assistance.

Quttiktuq MLA David Akeeagok said he visited Resolute recently and the problems with the arena arose in discussions. He said he’s aware that hamlet council is preparing a plan to work closely with CGS, although he pointed out that the arena is a hamlet facility.

“I’m confident that this will be done in a orderly manner,” Akeeagok stated.

In Cambridge Bay, the GN spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to have mould removed from sections of that community’s arena in late 2018 and early 2019 as the air quality was considered a risk to public health and it kept the building closed for a year and a half.