Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, March 26, 2007

CAPE DORSET - Supporters of the youth centre in Cape Dorset have been asking themselves "what do you do once the doors are open?"

On Sept. 16, 2006, the youth centre opened its doors to a packed house in Cape Dorset. Now programs are on the way.

"I think our vision has stayed the same throughout. When we opened we weren't ready to offer programs, but now we are just starting with the planned vision of things for the kids," said Cape Dorset recreation director Cheryl Constantineau.

Her department has been taking steps to see what the community wants. For the last two weekends, shoppers at the Co-op in Cape Dorset have been asked what they want in a youth centre.

Movie nights, storytelling from elders and a women's yoga night were the most popular suggestions.

"No one mentioned men's yoga night," joked senior youth worker Rose Constantineau.

Rose Constantineau, Cheryl's daughter, started as the senior youth worker on March 5, and getting the building ready for programming has been her major focus.

"For the first week, we closed the doors, cleaned up, and had a meeting with the staff," said Rose Constantineau.

Her staff has a good sense of what the clients are like, and Constantineau is following their lead.

"The staff had a three strikes rule if someone was misbehaving. It works pretty well, and the kids are receptive to it," said Rose Constantineau.

"Our goal now is to get the programming running, and running quick," said Rose Constantineau.

Even without many programs, the facility has still been well-used. Every day from 3:30 until 5 p.m., there is time for homework. From 6 until 11 p.m., the pool tables, Internet access and the big screen TV come into play.

While things are running smoothly, there was one incident that had Constantineau upset: a case of vandalism.

The facility is located inside the former curling rink and is like a bunker; there are no windows to smash. The problem happened inside the centre.

"There were a few damages to the shuffleboard table. Someone was upset and took it out on the shuffleboard table. It was hard to deal with," said Rose Constantineau.

Cheryl Constantineau sent off 38 proposals for funding for the centre. She cares deeply about the project, and her daughter catches most of the flak from Mom.

"Working with family can be a challenge. I tend to be a little harder on my own kids. I am harder on her than the rest of the staff," said Cheryl Constantineau, as Rose laughed in the background.

Plus, the family connection means Rose can talk to Cheryl about any concerns as soon as she gets home from the centre.

"She comes here at midnight and doesn't wait for office hours. We talk about it right away," said Cheryl Constantineau.