Inuvik (Feb 10/06) - Parent Ruth Wright was not pleased when she saw a copy of a letter she received stating that her son had been banned from municipal facilities was posted at the Family Centre desk for all to see.

"I don't think it's right to do this because it brands kids," she said.

Wright's son received his ban for a Jan. 18 incident in which he and three other boys were "being destructive, beating on each other and swearing at staff" at the Family Centre, according to the letter.

His ban and all other such bans extend to the Centennial Library, the fire hall, Midnight Sun Recreation Complex and the Family Centre, regardless of where the transgression took place.

"This is not a new policy," said Mayor Peter Clarkson. "And we used to post them outside the Midnight Sun office (at the arena)."

As for the bans themselves, Clarkson says it's an issue of public enjoyment and safety, something Family Centre supervisor Bobby Despres reiterated.

"It's a huge safety concern. Lifeguards have specific areas they have to watch in the pool and when people act up, it's distracting and it comes down to a liability issue," he said.

"Also, we're a family facility and when you've got people swearing and older kids whipping younger ones with towels, that isn't enjoyable. We want everyone to feel welcome."