North

Grise Fiord sets up inflatable pool for summer

A nurse in Grise Fiord, Nunavut, has set up an inflatable pool in the school's gymnasium to teach children water safety.

Nurse aims to teach water safety and drowning prevention

Joanne Dignard, a local nurse, has set up an inflatable pool in the gymnasium in Grise Fiord. (Submitted by Joanne Dignard)

Grise Fiord, Nunavut, the northern-most community in Canada, now has a little indoor oasis.

Joanne Dignard, a local nurse, has set up an inflatable pool in the school's gymnasium. The space was donated by the hamlet.

The inflatable pool holds about 15 children. (Submitted by Joanne Dignard)

It took the volume of an entire water truck to fill the pool.

Dignard says it's not just about having fun. 

"It's for fun, but initially it was for teaching kids how to swim ... to teach them water safety and drowning prevention."

So far the pool has been a hit with four pool parties already held at the site. (Submitted by Joanne Dignard)

The community has a population of about 150. The pool can hold about 15 children. Dignard says some of them have never been in a pool before.

Dignard says some of the children have never been in a pool before. (Submitted by Joanne Dignard)

So far the pool has been a hit with four pool parties already held at the site and plans for more throughout the summer.

With files from Kevin Kablutsiak, Nick Ryan