Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Hay River (Nov 07/05) - Mounting financial problems forced Hay River's community youth centre to finally close its doors on Tuesday.

Kevin Wallington closes the door of the Hay River community youth centre. The centre is shut down temporarily due to financial problems. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"Looking at the financial situation a few months ago we knew we couldn't make it to the end of the year," said co-ordinator Kevin Wallington.

He said the temporary closure will allow the centre to pay off its bills and be out of debt by the middle of the month. The tentative plan is to reopen the centre in January.

"It will allow us to regroup and find a focus," said Wallington.

Over the next two months, Wallington and the Hay River Ministerial Association board will be making long term goals for the centre.

"We've reached a level where we have some serious decisions to make," said Rev. Haydn Schofield, one of the board members. Funding is the key issue.

Founded nine years ago by the Ministerial Association, the centre has been running on donations from service clubs, businesses, individuals and fundraising efforts.

"We can't live hand-to-mouth anymore," said Schofield.

The centre operates on about $80,000 a year. This year they are approximately $20,000 short. On Oct. 3 Wallington asked the town council for $24,000 to finish the year.

"The centre needs core funding," Schofield said.

"We hope it will come from either the municipal or territorial government."

Other issues up for discussion include what changes should be made to the centre and what to do with the facilities.

The youth centre is currently housed in two joined portables that need a lot of work, said Schofield.

The centre provides youth who have no where else to go a place to call home, said Wallington.

"I'm concerned, they're my kids," he said.

Between 50 to 75 youth form the core group that come in daily. Weekly there can be anywhere from 125 to 200 visitors. The centre draws youth out of the downtown core and gets them involved in activities. With the closure there are a lot of bored youth who could possibly get into trouble, Wallington said.