Shawn Grandjambe, the Chief of Fort Good Hope in the Northwest Territories, expressed concerns about the closure of the indoor rink in the community nearly a decade ago. The rink was a hub for hockey tournaments that attracted people from across the territory. Grandjambe emphasized the importance of sports in teaching youth teamwork and discipline.
The closure of the rink due to a fire code violation has left the community without a recreational facility for young people. Chief Grandjambe is advocating for the N.W.T. government to assist in the costly repairs needed to reopen the rink. He envisions not just a new rink but a sportsplex with additional amenities like a food stand, which could potentially create job opportunities for locals.
While there is an outdoor rink available, Chief Grandjambe highlighted the challenges of utilizing it during extreme weather conditions. The community receives annual capital funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for repairs and maintenance, but both Chief Grandjambe and community member Joe Grandjambe believe that more funding is necessary to realize the vision of a multiplex facility.
With limited indoor recreational options for youth, the push for increased funding aims to address the need for accessible and engaging sports facilities in Fort Good Hope.