Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 21/00) - After months of planning, preliminary works are under way for renovations to begin for the new youth centre at the old Mine Rescue Centre.

"The community is eager to see us, but, these kind of things take time," said Kevin Laframboise, co-ordinator of the Side Door youth centre.

Issues such as property assessment and city approval of the renovation concept still need to be worked out, said Laframboise. The city has recently acquired the building from the GNWT.

Following this, Laframboise will be ready to hire a contractor to begin renovations. Once the work is completed -- within a year -- Side Door will have a new home, said Laframboise.

The centre now runs its programs out of the basement of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church on 52nd Street.

"We plan to use this building to be an energy- and cost-efficient masterpiece," he said, explaining that cost-cutting measures are expected to be integrated into the new youth centre.

For starters, the building's exterior walls will be covered with a new type of black, energy-absorbing panels from Arctic Energy Alliance which will trap the sun's rays in order to cut heating costs, said Laframboise.

This effort will not only help cut the centre's energy bills, but will also turn the building into a candidate for a government program which may return 40 per cent of renovation costs.

To do the renovations, the centre is expected to use the city's $252,527 contribution from last October. That is money that Laframboise assures the taxpayers will be used wisely. Depending on the available funding remanding, the centre may also get an extension as part of the renovation project.

The Side Door is working to get another government grant, possibly reaching $150,000 if the centre gets hooked-up with the Homeless Youth Practising Employment (HYPE) program.

If HYPE comes into effect, it may involve youth taking part in the renovations and program implementation. During renovations, youth may take part in a 30-day course in various fields such as carpentry, drywall painting and carpeting. The youth will also be able to earn a salary, take a money management course and learn to read building schematics, as well as prepare for the future by learning resume-writing skills.

Keeping a cap on expenses will not, however, compromise the centre itself. It will be open for longer hours, have pool tables with a game room, a soundproof room for doing homework and a lounge. The young patrons will also have access to a coffee area which is expected to have eight computers with Internet access.

"It's a safe place for teenagers to hang out, a positive alternative to the streets. It's emotionally a safe place," said Laframboise. Among the strict rules are no swearing, no drugs and no alcohol.

"Our hope is to establish a meaningful relationship between (teens) and with the staff, to challenge themselves to make wise decisions for now and for the rest of their lives," he said.

At the new centre, Laframboise plans to continue what he considers a successful assortment of quality programs and to integrate input received from youths for new programs and for the aesthetics of the new building.

The centre presently offers four programs: the Youth Employment Services program, a business entrepreneurship program which runs and operates the Arctic Kraze inflatable carnival; Teens and Tots support group for young mothers; and a discussion group for teenagers dealing with personal issues.

A fifth program in the works will offer youths a membership card which could give them discounts at local establishments.