After over a year-and-a-half without an arena and a curling rink, recreational facilities essential for any self-respecting Canadian town have finally been returned to Hay River.
On March 13, the doors were briefly opened for residents to take a look around the new recreation centre and about 350 people took advantage of the opportunity.
If you go by everything heard, people were happy with what they saw.
And what's not to like compared to the old building it replaced?
However, the opening of the new facility has been overshadowed by the near simultaneous beginning of the 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games.
That's kind of too bad, because the opening of the new building should have had a moment in the spotlight.
After all, the new recreation centre had been debated for years, including strong feelings on where it should be located.
There was also debate about whether the old recreation centre should be renovated or a brand-new one built. The idea of renovating was ruling the day until town council surprisingly announced it had opted for a demolition and rebuild.
There were also mixed opinions on how much money Hay River could afford to spend on a new rec centre.
And, of course, during the past year-and-a-half – since demolition of the old rec centre began in the summer of 2016 – there has also been the overarching question of whether the facility would be completed in time for the Arctic Winter Games. As it turned out, it was ready for the games. Barely, just in time, by the skin of its teeth. You can choose your own turn of phrase.
When you look back at it, the construction of the new rec centre has been the number one issue facing the community.
Yet, it opened with a whimper, rather than the great sigh of relief and cheers that it deserved.
There was not even a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The doors were opened for a while, people looked around and then the facility was turned over to the organizers of the Arctic Winter Games for their opening ceremonies, hockey and volleyball and the closing ceremonies.
Of course, one can't blame the Arctic Winter Games for taking the attention away from the opening of the new rec centre. Those games are a big event and naturally overwhelm any other events in a small community like Hay River.
However, it is too bad that the opening of the new facility didn't receive the celebration it deserved.
It is a big deal for this community. In the long run, it will mean more than hosting the Arctic Winter Games. And, again, that's with all due respect to the Arctic Winter Games, which is a great event.
The new rec centre will be the focus of the community for decades to come and hopefully the new arena, curling rink, walking track, community hall and more will contribute to community wellness.
So while we welcome and celebrate the Arctic Winter Games, spare a moment to think about the new facilities and all that it will mean for this community.