Anne-Marie Jennings
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 29/98) - The co-ordinator of the Garderie Plein Soleil says the city's francophone community will have to come out and support the day care if it is to survive.

"There are 800 francophones in Yellowknife," Arlette Fonteneau said. "At the moment, we have 15 children registered.

"Perhaps it is because it is the summertime. I can only hope there will be more interest come September."

The day care offers programming for children of francophone parents, or those which meet the requirements under Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Article 23 of the Charter states that Canadians whose first language was French, still understand it, who were enroled in a French elementary school or have received or are receiving instruction in French are eligible to put their children in a French-language school.

The day care recently opened up in a new location, in the former home of Above and Below Sports across Franklin Avenue from the Igloo Inn. Fonteneau said the search for a new location was not an easy task.

"We had trouble finding a place in town because possible landlords were concerned about the amount of noise which might be generated by the children," she said.

"We also had trouble because there were a number of renovations which would be necessary to bring everything up to health and safety codes."

The location is well equipped -- large play area, kitchen, eating area, change rooms and resting areas.

"We have everything a real day care needs," Fonteneau said. "Now all we need are the children."

She added that there are summer day-camp programs currently under way for children between the ages of five and 12.

Now that the Garderie Plein Soleil has a place to call home, Fonteneau is waiting for the francophones of Yellowknife to respond.

"If we don't get more children enroled by September, I don't know what will happen."