DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION - Fort Resolution youth crowded into the community's new, temporary youth centre to play games, eat snacks and socialize Nov. 2.

Youngsters play a video game in a newly-opened youth centre in Fort Resolution. The facility is named for late-elder Paul Biscaye. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

More than 30 residents attended an opening ceremony for the new youth centre, the first in the community in decades, opened by Deninu Ku'e First Nation. It will be temporary while a permanent one is constructed by the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.

"It will be really important for the kids," Deninu Ku'e Acting Chief Louis Balsillie said of the new youth centre. "They have somewhere to go. A lot more stuff will be happening for them."

Elder Marcel Norn cut the ribbon and an open house was held at the former office building of the now-closed Nuni (Ye) Development Corporation.

Deninu Ku'e First Nation converted the building into the Paul Biscaye Memorial Youth Centre, named in honour of an elder who was well-known for supporting youth sports.

The initial reviews by young people of the new centre were very positive.

"I think this place is pretty cool," said Isaac Simon, 10. "We have a computer, we have snacks, and different rooms. It's pretty fun."

"It's a nice place to hang out and play some Xbox and Wii," said Braiden Lafferty, also 10.

Another 10-year-old, Jaylynn Boucher, also welcomed the new centre

"More people can go and play when they're bored," she said, adding there are a lot of fun things to do.

Nikki Chaplin, 12, called the new youth centre "awesome."

While all the children welcomed the temporary youth centre, virtually all are awaiting the permanent centre.

Along with their children, a number of parents were on hand for the opening of the new youth centre.

"There are lots of kids here," said Rosy Bjornson. "It's exciting."

The mother of three said the new youth centre is really important for Fort Resolution, especially since it allows young people to be among their peers in a positive atmosphere.

She envisioned the new centre offering homework programs, hosting parties for children and being the focus of special events, such as National Aboriginal Day.

Balsillie said, aside from the cost of obtaining the 32x24-foot building, the band spent about $12,000 to convert it into a temporary youth centre.

"Once the new youth centre is done, whatever we have in here will just be turned over to the new one," he said, noting that will include video games, computers and a flat-screen television.

After that, the idea is to turn the Nuni building into a visitor information centre.

Mayor Elizabeth Ann McKay of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution was on hand for the opening.

"I think it's exciting," she said. "It's great for the youth ... I'm sure that they will use it to the fullest."

The initial stages of building the hamlet's permanent youth centre and an above-ground swimming pool - a $1.7-million project in all - have already begun by contractor Arctic Canada Construction.

The target date for completion of the work is August of next year, McKay said. "The youth centre that's being built is awesome."

The hamlet contributed some items to the temporary youth centre, such as games, but McKay credited Deninu Ku'e First Nation for the initiative. "So compliments to the First Nation."

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