Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Oct 10/05) - The Hay River Community Youth Centre is looking for a financial rescue from the municipality.

"If you want to call it a bailout, we need a bailout," Glen Wallington, the youth centre's supervisor and chair of its board of directors, told town council on Oct. 3.

Glen Wallington stands outside the Hay River Community Youth Centre. The centre is asking the town for $24,000 to cover its expenses until the end of 2005. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

"We need $24,000 just to finish this year off," he said, adding the centre is also requesting $30,000 for next year.

Wallington, who is confident the youth centre will get money from somewhere, did not say it was on the verge of closing, but noted, "If you have no money, there's always that possibility."

It operates on about $77,000 per year, which comes from service clubs, businesses, fundraising efforts and a contribution from an estate.

Wallington said the centre has not received as much money as expected from supporters this year and costs are increasing. Deputy Mayor Dean McMeekin told Wallington the town administration would look for money in this year's budget.

McMeekin also noted Hay River has $1.9 million to spend from the territorial government's Community Capacity Building Fund.

"I think it a worthy cause," he said of the youth centre.

Councillor Ron Cook also praised the centre.

"I think the community is better for it," Cook said, adding he believes the town should support it to some degree.

Wallington said the town's help would tide the youth centre over to the end of 2006 until it can increase fundraising by obtaining society status and accessing new funds from national foundations.

Holly Sabourin, 15, who was at the youth centre the day after Wallington appeared before council, said she plays pool, uses the Internet and meets her friends there.

Less crime

She believes council should support the youth centre so it can repair its equipment, such as the pool table.

"They need money to fix up the stuff they have," she said.

Wallington told council that the centre, which serves 250-300 young people each year, helps lower crime and vandalism, especially in the town's business core.

Many young people say they get into trouble because they have nothing to do and are bored, he noted.

"The reality, gentlemen, is, if the youth centre closed down, we're going to have 250-300 young people who are bored, and that frightens me."

Wallington also said the youth centre has to deal with some young people using harder drugs than in the past, such as crack cocaine.

"We've seen renewed violence and aggressiveness no doubt due to some of these new drugs," he said. "We have seen increased use of alcohol resulting in more fighting, verbal abuse and drunkenness."

The youth centre, which was established by the Hay River Ministerial Association, has existed for nine years.