Supporters of a proposed First Nations Heritage Park have welcomed North Battleford council's decision to donate land to the project.
North Battleford council voted Sept. 10 to donate two lots in the southeast quadrant to the Battlefords First Nations Heritage Park Corporation as their contribution to the project.
The land, currently undeveloped, stands just north of Highway 16 between Gold Eagle Lodge and the Western Development Museum.
According to a news release issued Tuesday by the Battle River Trade and Tourism Association, the Battlefords First Nations Cultural Pavilion and Heritage Park is being touted as the first of its kind worldwide, "showcasing the rich history, culture and traditions of the Cree, Lakota and Saulteaux First Nations."
The trade association also pledged, "the land allocated by the City is to be used strictly for the development of a heritage park. The property will also be governed by a standard municipal services agreement, and all development will meet or exceed government environmental and water drainage standards."
The issue of the land donation had come up at several meetings of council this summer, including a special meeting in August, before finally being approved. Council voted 4-3 in favor of a resolution to donate the land, subject to several conditions.
Project advisor Pat Woods told the News-Optimist the focus can now shift towards next steps, including drawing up designs and raising financing for the project.
"Obviously it's an important first step in getting the project underway," said Woods. "We need to have an economic partnership with the City."
The land donation was extremely important in that regard, Woods said.
Woods did not seem overly concerned by the number of meetings it took before councillors approved the land donation.
"I can understand the due diligence the city has to do in transactions like this, so it wasn't particularly surprising to me," he said.
"They had the information before them, they saw the benefits, the economic and social benefits of developing a relationship with the First Nations around this project and the majority agreed with it."
The plan now is for more detailed architectural drawings and engineering to take place over the winter months. Some trail layouts are also to be planned at that time, Woods said.
The intention is to develop a world-class tourist attraction including 5,000 square foot enclosed teepee and a 4,000 square foot First Nations cultural pavilion.
Also planned is a bow and arrow bridge over Highway 16, which Woods says has the potential to be a landmark and icon for the city of North Battleford, much like the CN Tower is for Toronto.
Those behind the project intend to be hard at work seeking financing for the project over the next several months.
Woods expressed confidence that having the city on board will make it easier to obtain the financing they need. "Now that the partnership is established it's going to be much easier for us to approach governments and the corporate world to ante into the project."
Woods pointed to aboriginal tourism being the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry and believes the province and federal government recognize they "have an opportunity to support a world-class in-bound tourist destination."
The council decision was also welcomed by area chiefs such as Duane Antoine of Poundmaker Cree Nation, who was one of the chiefs on hand to witness the vote.
"There are substantial economic benefits for the Battlefords in the form of employment and tourism," said Antoine in a statement. "But the project also represents a positive new relationship between First Nations and the non-aboriginal community. It is great point of pride and companionship, bringing together people from many communities and First Nations across the region. We are excited to be moving forward."
