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Inuvik youth centre out of cash, unable to pay staff

An internal memo shows that the youth centre in Inuvik hasn't been able to pay its bills since the beginning of July.

Inuvik's Youth Centre is out of cash and unable to pay its staff.

An internal memo addressed to the centre's board of directors, and obtained by CBC, shows that the centre hasn't been able to pay its bills since the beginning of July.

The centre hired a new executive director, the memo says, but it didn't inform the new hire that the centre had no money.

Jimmy Ruttan, vice-chair of the Inuvik Youth Centre, admits the centre is in a "negative balance."

"It's not crazy but it's not a place that would allow a centre or any organization to operate."

The centre needs $1,000 a day to operate, Ruttan says, and local donations aren't enough.

He says they needs government and businesses to provide long-term funding to keep the centre's doors open.