Joe Grandjambe reminisces about the vibrant days of hockey tournaments at Fort Good Hope’s indoor rink, emphasizing the valuable life lessons of teamwork and discipline learned through the sport. The closure of the rink nearly a decade ago has left the community devoid of recreational opportunities for its youth, a sentiment echoed by Chief Shawn Grandjambe. The chief attributes the closure to a fire code violation necessitating costly repairs, advocating for government assistance to revitalize the facility.
Chief Grandjambe envisions not just a new rink but a comprehensive sports complex for the community, potentially featuring amenities like a food stand to generate employment opportunities. With the existing outdoor rink often inaccessible due to harsh weather conditions, the need for an indoor sports facility is accentuated, especially during extreme cold spells. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs clarifies that the community governs the rink’s ownership and allocation of annual capital funds, with Fort Good Hope receiving $1,264,000 for the current fiscal year.
Both Grandjambe and his namesake emphasize the inadequacy of current funding levels for realizing the proposed multiplex facility. They advocate for increased territorial funding earmarked specifically for the multiplex project, underscoring the urgent need for recreational spaces to engage and empower the youth of Fort Good Hope.
