Inuvik (May 26/06) - After a good cleaning, the Inuvik youth centre is looking great, but chairman Martin Landry says he has more plans for the building in the future.

Inuvik Youth Centre chairman Martin Landry spent some time helping to paint the centre's outside rails on Saturday afternoon. Landry wants a fence in the back of the centre so they can utilize the unused space behind the building on Mackenzie Road. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

A group of a dozen volunteers gathered at the centre on Saturday afternoon and gave the whole building a make-over that could rival any reality television show.

The railings in front of the building were given a fresh blue coat of paint and the interior was cleaned from rafters to floorboards.

A new door, purchased by the Ladies' Auxiliary, was installed by a group of carpenters.

The fluorescent lights were all cleaned and replaced with new bulbs for the next dark winter season.

"It was great to see so many youth out helping us," said Landry.

"I think the community really likes to see that sort of involvement."

Landry's concern came when he saw the back of the building and the large unused space that was littered with broken bottles and garbage.

"The youth centre could be using the space back there. It should be developed into something for the kids," said Landry.

Once the team of cleaners has gathered all of the litter in the backyard, Landry had a good suggestion about using the area.

"I see this space being used for reading and hanging out," he said.

Clearing the bushes and laying down some soil are some of the possibilities of the lot, but keeping it clean would be a challenge, said Landry.

A tall fence enclosing the yard was an idea that had been brought to Landry's attention, but the centre doesn't have the money for such a structure.

"Right now, the fence is still just an idea, but it would be nice to see it go through," said Landry.