PAULATUK - An impending blizzard didn't stop Paulatuk children from following the beat of drum dancers through the centre of town and across the threshold of their very own youth centre, behind the doors of which big screen televisions, video games, pool tables, board games and a canteen waited to delight them.

Paulatuk mayor Ray Ruben says the community's new youth centre will give young people room to branch out on their own. The centre held its grand opening ceremony Nov. 21 and 22. - Katie May/NNSL photo

After years of waiting, Paulatuk's young and young-at-heart celebrated the opening of the community's first youth centre last weekend.

Local dignitaries, including Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobson, Robert McLeod, minister responsible for youth, and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation CEO Nellie Cournoyea, joined in the celebration on Saturday Nov. 21 with dedication speeches in remembrance of community elders who have recently died, followed by a feast of char chowder, turkey, ham and desserts.

On Sunday, the youth got used to their new digs – a pre-constructed building steps away from the arena that arrived by barge in late summer – by competing in pool tournaments, playing a plethora of board games, and rocking out to the video game Guitar Hero.

"It was pretty cool," said 14-year-old Kynwill Gordon-Ruben, who anticipates the youth centre will become a regular hangout for him and his friends because it's equipped with almost everything they like. When asked how he'd stock his dream youth centre, Kynwill said "pretty much what's in there is good."

Chris Ruben is the youth centre's new co-ordinator. He previously worked with youth and elders at Paulatuk's Brighter Futures program, and he'll keep the centre open for about four hours a day from Wednesday to Sunday.

Volunteers are already lining up to fill in during the downtime.

"I didn't know what to expect for the opening, and after going into the building, 'wow,'" Chris said, adding more and more people showed up as the weekend went on. "It was awesome it was something that sure made me feel good anyways, especially for our youth."

He and the community's new youth committee had their first meeting on Nov. 25 to decide what kinds of programs the new space will offer.

Chris said he hopes the youth feel at home in the space and respect it at the same time.

"It's more for them than anything else. It's their building."

Mayor Ray Ruben said the community has wanted a youth centre for several years and its opening means young people can get more involved in their community.

"Now we've got what we hope is going to be an active youth committee, just for the youth centre," Ray said.

"It's the type of building that allows for the youth to branch out on their own."

Sixteen-year-old Carmen Green expects the new centre will be jam-packed every time it's open.

"Everyone in town is going, all the youth," she said.

"It’s real fun to play games there without being bored around this town."