Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 10/02) - Nestled among a small collection of books in the Side Door youth centre's new accommodations, a bright yellow tome's spine catches the eye.

The title -- Fundraising For Dummies.

Someone at the drop-in centre must have taken the lessons to heart.

One year and more than $500,000 in donations after construction began, the new Side Door building threw open its doors Monday.

As young drummers from Ndilo beat out a welcome, dignitaries, corporate sponsors, community representatives and members of the public all turned out to see the new facility.

Located at the corner of 51st Street, Side Door has taken up residence at the old mine rescue building.

"The nicest moment was when I saw the kids coming in," said Side Door executive director Kevin Laframboise, who has been involved with Side Door almost from the beginning.

Visitors sipped refreshments and ate baked goods while young Side Door members showed off their new digs.

"We're going to have 24 computers in this room," Michelle Loyer told a tour group as they walked through a room full of computer equipment.

The 17-year-old St. Patrick High School student said she got involved with Side Door 18 months ago.

Before that, Loyer said she was hanging around with, "a bad group of kids over at the arcade."

She said the hardest part has been waiting for the new centre to open up, after Side Door outgrew its first home in Holy Trinity Anglican Church's basement.

"We were waiting and waiting for this place to open," said Loyer.

Side Door was conceived seven years ago by a group of concerned Yellowknife Christians to address the lack of wholesome recreational opportunities for Yellowknife youth.

"This is really awesome," said Rev. Donald Flumerfelt, Holy Trinity's pastor.

By the time Side Door moved out of his flock's basement, "the usage was five days a week," said Flumerfelt.

"It's been encouraging to see the different levels of government and the corporate sponsors work together," he added.

The City of Yellowknife contributed $250,000, while Ottawa kicked in another $150,000. The territorial government donated the old mine rescue building and the land to the city, which then turned it over to the Side Door.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, a former Side Door board member said it was, "an exceptionally exciting day," for him.

He remembered the board meeting in the building before renovations began.

"We met upstairs, nervously, because the floor didn't look so solid," said Van Tighem.

Master of ceremonies Al Hoeft called the open house an, "opportunity as a community to celebrate something."

Side Door will celebrate a little more this month, hosting a grand opening dance April 24.