Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KA'A'GEE TU/KAKISA
If everything goes according to plan, construction will begin this summer on a new community facility in Kakisa.

The multi-purpose facility is expected to include a community hall, an exercise room, a small office and some other features. The building is highly anticipated in the small community.

"The young people are really looking forward to it," said Chief Lloyd Chicot of Ka'a'Gee Tu First Nation.

Community members and the First Nation have wanted to have a new building for a number of years, but there were always other more pressing projects and matters to be attended to, said Chicot.

It was only recently that the band has been able to take the time to do the planning. One of the draws of the proposed building is having more space for events such as community gatherings, weddings, talent shows and sports activities.

"It will be a place for people to gather year round," he said.

There is a community hall attached to the band's offices, but the space isn't big enough, said Chicot. It only fits approximately 30 people.

After the new building is constructed, the existing hall will possibly be converted into a boardroom or a place for elders to gather.

Residents have provided input towards what the new facility should contain. The first planning session was held approximately four years ago. In the beginning there were big expectations, including adding a swimming pool, he said.

"We had to look at reality," said Chicot.

A second planning session was held about two years ago and the building plans have gone through about three design changes. The First Nation is currently waiting for the final drawings from Stantec and will then identify funding. Some funding for infrastructure has been set aside.

The estimated cost for the building will come with the final drawings, said Chicot. The chief said he and the band council considered a lot of factors, including the operations and maintenance costs of the building and the cost of insurance.

"We have to know in the long run what we're in for," he said.

The new facility will be built next to where the community's arbor used to be. The arbor space will be left open so something could potentially be put there in the future, said Chicot.

The First Nation is hoping construction will start this summer.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.