Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to travel back to my constituency this weekend to go to Aklavik for the grand opening of the Sam Arey Curling Rink which was a long time coming.

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Mr. Speaker, the $1.2 million curling rink was constructed by a local contractor, A.C. Contracting of Aklavik, Andrew Charlie. I would like to thank Andrew and his crew for doing a great job. It is a beautiful building and for the many people that showed up for the opening, we had quite the crowd. I also would like to take this time to thank the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, my favourite department, the Department of Public Works and Services, and also the Hamlet of Aklavik in regards to the many people that have worked on this project over the last two years.

Mr. Speaker, it was a great time had by all. I also had the opportunity to test out the ice along with my colleague from Inuvik Twin Lakes, who was my skip. It was his privilege to be able to yell at me as the Minister to sweep, sweep, sweep, which I heard all weekend.

---Laughter

Anyhow, Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank the many people for showing up. I would like to thank the community, again, for their patience in waiting for two years for us to get back to curling in the community of Aklavik. I look forward for great curling over the years. Hopefully, we will see some great athletes as we know the Koe family who originates from Aklavik have participated in the Scotts and the Brier. I encourage all the younger people to get involved and also to be able to strive to be at the Brier and the Scotts in the future.

With that, Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to thank the people of Aklavik and also the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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