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After two years of construction, the Fort McKay Community Centre was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration earlier today.
Located at the west end of Range Road 1109 off Fort McKay Road, the facility boasts nearly 12,000 sq.ft of space for various activities including festivals, youth and elder events, conferences and community gatherings. It will also be a central location to bring people together to learn and share the rich cultural history of Fort McKay.
The RMWB’s Project Management Office managed the design and construction of the Centre in collaboration with WSP Consulting, RKA Architecture and Clark Builders. The $16.1M project was delivered on time and within the allotted budget.
Operated by the Fort McKay Métis Nation, the facility offers several impressive features:
- A fully equipped commercial kitchen and concession area
- A striking skylight that highlights the ceiling design
- A main stage with backstage space and storage
- 115 parking spaces, including four accessible spots
- Bleacher seating for 300 people, with space for up to 500
- Eco-friendly wood materials designed to help lower greenhouse gas emissions
-President Loretta Waquan, Fort McKay Métis Nation
“On behalf of the Fort McKay Métis Nation, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for their partnership and support in making the Fort McKay Community Centre a reality. This building is more than just walls and a roof; it’s a place where our people will gather to celebrate Métis Days, host weddings, share meals, honour loved ones, and pass down culture to future generations. It is a powerful statement of strength and unity for the Fort McKay Métis people, and a symbol of what’s possible when community and collaboration come together. Thank you.”
-Chief Raymond Powder, Fort McKay First Nation
“This is an exciting day for Fort McKay. With the opening of the community centre, our residents have a new space to be together, to play, to celebrate and to learn. On behalf of Fort McKay First Nation, I want to commend the Fort McKay Métis Nation for their advocacy on this project and recognize their critical role in operating the community centre going forward. I also want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for fully funding this new facility and working in partnership with Fort McKay to bring it to life.”
-Mayor Sandy Bowman, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
“Fort McKay is an incredible part of this region, and we're pleased to see this new community centre open its doors so that it can be enjoyed and serve as a gathering place. We are appreciative of all those that championed this project and are thankful for the many efforts in recent years so that today could become a reality.”
To learn about other construction projects in the region, visit rmwb.ca/construction and sign up for construction updates. Community members can also check out the construction map for additional project details.
For questions, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000 or rmwb.ca/pulse.
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