Young people living on Saulteaux First Nation now have a recreation centre they can call their own.
Friday, the ribbon was cut to officially open the Saulteaux Youth Recreation Cultural Centre.
It’s a new 4,000 square foot facility located in the heart of the First Nation, near other adjacent buildings including an upgraded hockey arena. A new ice plant and some plumbing upgrades were installed at the arena, which had its grand opening the week before.
The new youth centre includes a fitness area with $17,000 worth of fitness equipment. There are four pool tables, as well as ping pong, air hockey and foosball tables.
There is also a television, as well as a projector set up for movie nights. A popcorn machine has been set up, and there is a lounge area and a kitchen.
Also included is a computer area, with the idea that the youth will be able to access that equipment to create resumés and search for jobs.
While it is a youth centre, all members of the community will have access to it, including the elders. It is a place where elders and youth can come together and where knowledge can be passed on to the next generation.
“The elders are here, the youth are here, they’re already having fun,” said Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, who was at the grand opening.
“That’s what it’s about, bringing joy and happiness to these youth’s lives. There’s no price for it … it’s investing and it’s going to be long lasting.”
What Cameron and others at the grand opening stressed was that the centre would provide a positive alternative for youth, instead of turning to drugs and alcohol.
Cameron pointed out that now youth will be able to have a place to go where they can socialize with their friends and listen and learn from elders, in an alcohol- and drug-free facility.
“This is a perfect facility for building that quality of life for youth, it’s a stepping stone,” Cameron said.
The project had been talked about for a while, but the real momentum for it came after Saulteaux was awarded a grant from the federal government.
They had received a grant from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada going towards both projects, while another $150,000 came from the First Nations’ own revenues.
Initially, the thought was that the band hall would be expanded to accommodate the youth centre. But that idea proved too expensive, so it was decided to go with a standalone building.
Construction began in October of last year, with local labour used for the project as much as possible.
The youth centre cost $400,000 to build while the hockey arena upgrades cost $300,000.
Chief Kenny Moccasin of Saulteaux First Nation was delighted to see the enthusiasm for the new youth centre.
“There should be no excuses that our people, our youth and our elders have nothing to do,” said Moccasin. “I feel proud of this grand opening, because this is what people had talked about for years and we made it a reality.”
Moccasin says the facility will make a positive impact in improving the lives of people on the reserve, located 40 kilometres north of the Battlefords.
“As the chief of Saulteaux First Nation, my job is tough. I’ve got to change people’s lives, so this is one here promoting health … and also bringing the people together, hoping the youth will come utilize the rec centre and refrain from using drugs and alcohol and gangs. They’ll be here to use the facility along with our new arena.”
