Biigtigong Nishnaabeg receive funding for multi-purpose outdoor community arena

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg plans to use a recent FedNor investment of $499,999 to design and construct an outdoor arena for recreational, cultural and marketplace purposes (conceptual image). – Photo supplied

By Rick Garrick

BIIGTIGONG NISHNAABEG — Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is looking forward to building an outdoor arena for recreational, cultural and marketplace purposes through $499,999 in FedNor funding for design and construction of the project. The funding was part of more than $4.5 million in FedNor investments through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) to upgrade public community spaces across northern Ontario announced by Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and minister responsible for FedNor, on July 22.

“Our [citizens] have been waiting a long time for an upgrade in the old plywood boards and rough ice, so we took it to the next level and designed a full NHL-sized skating rink with dressing rooms and a Zamboni room,” says Daniel Michano, capital housing director at Biigtigong Nishnaabeg. “Of course it’s topped with a [roof] so we can extend shoulder seasons and have ice hopefully earlier in the season, November, and later in the spring.”

Michano says a hot day in March tends to end the skating season at the current skating rink.

“It’s really about capturing those early times and hopefully keeping that ice on for a little bit later on in the year,” Michano says. “Here in the north, hockey is huge — with the sport growing so much ice time is at need. Even at our local community in Marathon ice time is at a premium so this just gives us another option for kids to go out and [shoot] the puck around at their leisure.”

Michano says they will also be able to use the arena in the summer for recreational activities, flea markets, yard sales, festivals, pow wows and other events.

“We can have some portable basketball where kids can [shoot] around and community day camps,” Michano says.

Michano says they are looking to close the tendering process by the fall and have construction begin by early next spring.

“Hopefully by next fall, we’re looking to have our inaugural skate,” Michano says.

Michipicoten and Pays Plat are also receiving FedNor funding for projects in their communities, with Michipicoten receiving $499,404 to develop the Michipicoten Commons, an open-air market and public square, and Pays Plat receiving $263,237 to develop and enhance its Medicine Trail.

“Recreation is a big part of what I hear about when I go to every First Nation — people want things to do but they also want to be able to attract tourism to the region and show off the beautiful region of northwestern Ontario,” Minister Hajdu says. “So for example in Pays Plat, their investment of $263,237 is going to go towards developing the Medicine Trail. They’ve got some work already started on this but it’s going to help make boardwalks, platforms and signage in English and (Anishinaabemowin) and a parking area at the trail head.”

Minister Hajdu says Michipicoten is using their investment to create an open air market and public square, which will be located on First Nation land adjacent to Trans-Canada Hwy. 17 near Wawa, with water and electrical infrastructure, vendor stalls, public spaces and a parking area.

“They’re hoping this will serve as a community and commercial hub that will be located close to the highway and attract visitors and guests,” Minister Hajdu says. “[It] will allow for vendors and markets to be set up.”

The CCRF is designed to help communities across the country to build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today’s investment of over $4.5 million directly supports northern Ontario’s vibrant public spaces and helps local economies in our region thrive and grow,” Minister Hajdu says.