Siasi Debicki, a Grade 9 student at Inuksuk High School, and Viivi Morrison-Mike, a Grade 8 student at Aqsarniit Middle School, wrote to the City about the loss of summer turf access at the Arctic Winter Games Arena. Their letter said the free space was used for activities including soccer, volleyball, football and races, and called for a turf open all year. Their correspondence was listed as a public-engagement information item at the Governance and Priorities Committee of the Whole meeting on Oct. 6. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The request puts a practical concern about affordable youth recreation space on the public council record. The City acknowledged the broader need for more indoor, low-barrier and affordable opportunities for youth to be active throughout the year, but said it is working within its available facilities and funding. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

There is no approved project, budget, site or schedule for additional year-round youth recreation space. The Oct. 6 motion registry records only agenda adoption, a separate recommendation concerning the Nunavut Inuit Heritage Centre, and adjournment; it does not record a committee direction on the students’ request. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

City staff said the arena turf is installed in summer and removed at about the same time each year as the building prepares for winter ice operations. Staff said the removal was not caused by a trade show or business conference. The students also referred to a possible additional turf near the middle school, but the meeting package does not provide independent details on that proposal or its status. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗