Government cuts restrict Arctic Winter Games trials to Yellowknife

Sport North says it will host 2026 Arctic Winter Games trials solely in Yellowknife and the surrounding area, a decision said to be triggered by GNWT funding changes.

Yellowknife is often the location for tryouts ahead of major sports events, but past Arctic Winter Games have seen some sports make a concerted effort to move elements of their trials into smaller communities.

In an August 20 letter to Sport North seen by Cabin Radio, Hay River deputy mayor Keith Dohey questioned the decision to focus on Yellowknife and highlighted its impact on athletes from smaller communities.

“While we recognize the challenges of organizing multi-sport events, centralizing the trials in Yellowknife creates barriers for many athletes across the Northwest Territories,” Dohey wrote.

“Families in regional centres and smaller communities often face significant financial and logistical challenges when travel is required, which may prevent some young people from even having [the] opportunity to participate.”

Asking Sport North to reconsider, Dohey said the ability to host trials inspires youth, generates revenue for local businesses and creates a means for community members to engage.

Dohey said hosting trials in regional centres like Hay River would “strength participation, broaden community engagement and promote fairness in sport across the North.”

“Hay River has made major investments in modern sport and recreation facilities to serve not only our residents but also the surrounding region,” the letter continued.

“As a regional centre with proven capacity to host successful events, we believe it is important that these facilities are utilized in a way that ensures equitable access and opportunity for all athletes in the NWT.”

‘Financial realities’

Sport North, which has a volunteer board, is an arm’s-length agency that promotes and administers sports in the NWT mostly using territorial government funding. A lot of the money that funds sports and recreation comes from lottery ticket sales.

Sales of those tickets have been falling.

In a 2023-24 report published earlier this year, the GNWT said there had been a “significant sales reduction of 20 percent” over that period, resulting in a “challenging landscape.”

What role lower sales played in the decision to limit the host communities for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games trials is not clear. The NWT’s Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, which oversees sports and recreation in the territory, has been approached for comment.

In a written response to Dohey dated September 8, new Sport North president Igor Cvetkovski said the decision to reduce expenses “through a streamlined selection process was made by the Government of the Northwest Territories.”

Reached by Cabin Radio on Thursday, Sport North executive director Bill Othmer said athletes will be limited to participating in a single sport and territorial trials will take place in “the most cost-effective locations.” Not all of those locations have been confirmed.

The changes reflect what Othmer called “the financial realities facing the Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Fund,” a line item in the GNWT’s budget – funded through lottery money – that provides much of the cash for youth sport territory-wide.

“While Sport North shares Hay River’s concerns, the authority of Team NT is with the GNWT,” Othmer said.

“We understand the impact this decision may have on regional centres and share Hay River’s concern about maintaining inclusive access to sport.

“Sport North remains committed to working with Territorial Sport Organizations and communities like Hay River to explore future opportunities for regional engagement and hosting.”

Trials for those sports involved are expected to be held in Yellowknife in early January.

Ollie Williams contributed reporting.