Siksika Business Plaza breaks ground

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The special occasion began with Respected Elder Clarence Wolfleg blessing the site of the future Siksika Business Plaza before Siksika Resource Developments Ltd. (SRDL) CEO Tom Many Heads officially announced the new plaza broke ground in the Siksika Industrial Park on March 18.
The Plaza will have a Petro-Canada, a Subway Restaurant and The Grocery People (TGP) as the main tenants in the building, while four retail bays will be available for lease to third-party business owners.
Five million dollars of the $11 million project has been funded internally by a loan within Siksika Nation to get it off the ground, with funds coming through Indigenous Affairs, Government of Alberta and Peace Hills Trust.
“Siksika now has the opportunity to boost its own economy by capturing dollars that typically leave the reserve,” said Many Heads in a press release.
“Along with addressing economic concerns that are common among First Nation communities, we are now able to use the prime location and services to invite non-nation members to spend their money at Siksika.”
Phase 1 of the Plaza will consist of the 3,800 sq. ft building that offer full products and services offered by Petro Canada and a 21 seat dine-in Subway restaurant. Phase two will consist of an 8,000 sq. ft grocery store with 5,000 sq. ft of additional retail space.
Siksika Chief and Council Member Vincent Yellow Old Woman outlined the five goals the nation has, including building economic prosperity.
“It’s almost at the place that we’re saying that the challenges that come not only within but outside the reserve,” said Yellow Old Woman.
“SRDL was built for one and single purpose and that was to save the prosperity, the economic development, the business arm of the nation (and) grow stronger. It’s going to create jobs. One of the things that we want is shovel-in-the-ground opportunity. We need to see things happening in a short period of time.”
Petro-Canada Senior Sales Coordinator Sean O’Donnell said this will be their third aboriginal site in Alberta, while there are 20 stations across Canada.
He added that he drove the road several times through Siksika Nation but never had a reason to stop, but now can say he has a reason to stop.
“I’m looking forward to September,” said O’Donnell.
“It’s going to be unbelievable. I appreciate you welcoming us to the community and it’s a very strong brand and you’re going to get a lot more visitors as well stopping in and being your customer.”
TGP’s Director of Retail Operation Reg Orell said they’re very proud to be involved in Phase 2’s food store.
He added that good food, nutrition, wellness and health can build a good community.
The Plaza’s completion is slated for Sept. 1.