Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Apr 05/04) - It took four years of struggling, but the youth centre in Cambridge Bay has finally opened its doors.

A grand opening was held on Saturday, March 27 at the centre.

The youth centre is located just two minutes away from Kiilinik high school, and is even closer to youth group members' hearts now that their dream has finally become reality.

"It's so important to me," said Meagan Lyall, 16.

Lyall joined the youth group as soon as she arrived in Cambridge Bay in August, 2003.

Now she's the vice-president.

The youth group is 14 members strong. The youth centre gives them a place to meet and organize events, as well as provide a home away from home for dozens of youth between the ages of 12 and 19.

"We needed a place for our youth. It's really important for us. It's so important the youth have somewhere to go."

"It's going to help the youth, give them more options," said Sarah Jancke, 15, the youth group president.

"It can inspire them, instead of them being out on the street."

It's a centre with a purpose. There are seven computers and a printer so youth can practise typing, and even start working on resumes. There are no video games, but there is a television.

There is a kitchen, lawn chairs and four couches.

The youth group also introduced a youth-elder tea in the afternoons.

"We get elders and youth together. We bake cookies and have tea," said Lyall. "Sometimes we get them to tell us stories."

Jancke said the facility, housed in a long, skinny red building that once served as the town's library, is long overdue for the young people in her hometown.

"You can just hang out," said Jancke. "It's a place to call our own."

The centre is open Monday to Thursday, 4-6 p.m. for after school homework, and 7:30 to 10 p.m. for hanging out.

Friday and Saturday, the youth centre is open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. At midnight, the centre is closed to those 14 and under.