HAY RIVER - Father Don Flumerfelt is looking for your vote to help create a new youth centre in Hay River.

But then again, other projects in the NWT and many more across Canada are also seeking votes.

They have all submitted project ideas for support from the Aviva Community Fund, which is sponsored by Aviva Insurance.

Hundreds of projects are listed on the Internet website avivacommunityfund.org.

Flumerfelt said, much like Canadian Idol, people can vote for the projects they would like to see receive support.

"We submitted an idea for raising between $25,000 and $100,000 to assist in the rebuilding of a youth centre in the recreation centre in partnership with the Town of Hay River," he said.

Flumerfelt said there will be one winner in the under $25,000 category, the $25,000-$100,000 category, and the $100,000-$500,000 category.

The current round of voting began Nov. 15 and will continue to Nov. 26.

As of Nov. 18, Flumerfelt's proposal to support a Hay River youth centre had collected 49 votes. That was more than the total for many of the other 557 projects in its category, but far behind some others.

Still, he remains optimistic.

"Well, you never know," he said.

For many months now, the Town of Hay River and the Hay River Ministerial Association, which operates the existing youth centre, have been trying to find a new location for the facility. It is currently on land zoned commercial and the town wants it moved. The idea is to move the youth centre to the old pool area of the town's recreation centre.

The move would still go ahead without money from the Aviva Community Fund, but Flumerfelt said, "This would certainly expedite it."

Other proposals from the NWT seeking votes are new playground equipment for Bompas Elementary School in Fort Simpson, the Youth Champions Program of Skills Canada NWT, playground refurbishment for N.J. Macpherson School and five other schools in Yellowknife, more daycare spots at the Centre for Northern Families in Yellowknife, construction of an NWT emergency services training facility by the Yellowknife Fire Department and the Yellowknife Airport Fire Department and NWT SPCA Community Animal Shelter also in Yellowknife.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.