Prince Albert receives $15M for proposed event centre

Prince Albert has received $15 million in federal funding for a convention and cultural centre. Jasmine Pelletier reports.

Prince Albert has received $15 million in federal funding for a convention and cultural event centre.

“It’s going to attract tourism,” said mayor Bill Powalinsky at the official announcement Friday afternoon at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. “It’s going to attract business, it’s going to attract cultural events, entertainment.”

The city said it marks an important first funding step toward making the centre a reality.

Director of planning and development Craig Guidinger said at this point there isn’t a set timeline for construction.

“Our goal is to get all of our funding in place,” he said.

“I’d be remiss if I gave you a specific timeline, but this is something, our goals are set and we want to get going and hit the ground as soon as we can.”

In 2024, the city partnered with Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Montreal Lake Cree Nation and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation for funding opportunities and shared ownership of the centre.

Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Joyce McLeod said the centre would be good for First Nations families in the region.

“A lot of people come here to go to school, to attend school and also to play sports and also just to be part of the city, you know, we have a lot of opportunities.”

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The Woodland Cree First Nations partners would own up to 45 per cent of the proposed development in this arrangement.

Liberal MP and secretary of rural development Buckley Belanger said perseverance is what secured the funding.

“There’s no question in my mind, without the First Nations engagement, we would not be here celebrating this success,” he said.

The convention centre will be right next to the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.

The city said the project is fully designed, as work continues to sort out other funding opportunities.

“The cost was originally, during the election, we talked about $135 million,” said Powalinsky. “That’s the best guess at the time.”

With a potential to create up to 600 jobs, Powalinsky said the city will have a better idea of the total cost as the proposed project moves forward.