INUVIK - The building currently housing Inuvik's Youth Centre was sold last month, but the centre won't be moving into its new home until the end of the summer.

The Inuvik Community Corporation purchased the Mackenzie Road property from the town on April 14. It plans to demolish the structure and build a two-storey multi-use building that will be designed to hold cultural activities along with office space.

From left, Richard Stewart, Stanley Kasook and Bernie Bernhardt hang out at the youth centre last week. They say they can't wait for the centre to be relocated. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Sara Brown, Inuvik's Senior Administrative Officer, said the new owner won't take possession of the property until renovations to the former Inuvik Works office on Gwich'in Road are completed and the youth centre can move in, which she estimated wouldn't be until well into the summer months.

"The construction project has been challenging," she said. "We're moving ahead as quickly as we can. It involves a lot of work. You have to do permitting and architectural drawings." A lot of trades work has to be done before it's ready."

She also said a lot of work has already been done on the property, including major upgrades on its foundation, roof, decking as well as water lines.

In January, Mike Millen, the youth centre's executive director, told Inuvik Drum he was concerned that the relocation project had encountered so many delays and that he had not gotten a straight answer from the town about when the move would take place. He said the current building was too small, and he had repeatedly had to delay programming for youth in anticipation of the move.

Millen refused to comment about the situation last week.

Richard Stewart and Bernie Bernhardt, two youth who regularly use the centre, said last week there's not enough room at the current location. They said they can't wait for the move to come.

"We can't even play pool anymore because there's no room," said Bernhardt, pointing to the packed-up pool table sitting against the wall.

In 2008, the town made plans to move the centre in part to reduce youth crime, such as vandalism, in the downtown core. The proposed new location beside the Midnight Sun Complex and other recreation sites is expected to keep kids more busy.

The much larger location will also allow for high speed wireless connection, and contain new furniture as well as office space and various rooms in which to hold programs.