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Iqaluit Parents and Tots Association struggles to survive

Twice a week, the Iqaluit Parents and Tots Association, a popular play group for toddlers, gathers at the Arctic Winter Games Complex to play and let off some steam.

The association has been around for decades, but is now struggling to survive. A lack of funding and too few volunteers means they may soon have to scale back their activities.

The group receives some money through the Nunavut government's Healthy Children's Initiative, but Kimberly Hurley, the association's president, said it's not enough.

"Because it's volunteer-based, we need more people involved for fundraising events and for helping set up. We all have other jobs and commitments," she said.

Hurley says the group is actively recruiting new board members, as well as trying to find alternative sources of funding. She hopes the group will eventually be able to own its own space.

Right now, it uses the city's arena in the summer, and the Abe Okpik Hall in Apex in the winter.

Katlyn MacAskil, a parent and member of the group, said a dedicated space would allow for safer and more diverse activities.

"Sports are played here on the turf, so sometimes there's pieces of balls sticking out, or garbage," she said. "I think it would be nice if we had our own space...they could put on other events as well."

The play group runs Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 to 12 a.m. They are currently looking for volunteers to run a fundraising car wash in Iqaluit on August 15th.

"We don't have enough people to run it so far," said Hurley, "so unless others can help, it may not happen."