Gambler breaks ground on urban reserve

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This article was published 18/05/2019 (2358 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Touting it as the first step toward creating a future for Gambler First Nation’s children, Chief David LeDoux headed Friday’s groundbreaking of the community’s urban reserve in Brandon.

“This has been a long time coming,” he said. “Hopefully, this property will be dedicated for a use so that Gambler is here forever, and our youth are going to be around forever. We’ll have security for hopefully seven generations.”

Dignitaries from the city and First Nations across Manitoba gathered in a now-empty eight-acre field in Brandon’s north end to mark the occasion. The property itself is at 1725 18th St.

The process to get here started two years ago. It took a significant step forward in March of last year, when the city and the First Nation signed a municipal development and service agreement.

LeDoux said the reserve will be a way to make money and provide jobs for band members. The First Nation’s current land is located near Binscarth but doesn’t provide many money-making opportunities. The groundbreaking means “security” for the community’s youth.

The urban reserve is a first for both Brandon and Gambler. It joins the nine other urban reserves in municipalities across the province.

A design document of the development shows a gas bar and gaming centre close to 18th Street. Further back on the lot is a hotel tower and multiple retail and office spaces. The first two buildings to go up will be the gas bar and a few of the retail spaces.

“We’re trying to get the best use of the land so we’re making the most of every square inch. We’re going build as we go,” LeDoux said.

Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said Gambler’s urban reserve sets an example for future Indigenous development.

“Brandon is the example, they (have) the best municipal service agreement in the whole province. … It’s the best service agreement in all of Manitoba and every single mayor needs to take notice of what happened here because it needs to be the example.”

LeDoux echoed the sentiment, saying it sets a precedent.

“I think going forward we’re going to get reserve creation going in less time than we got this one done. … Nobody believes that it can’t be done. It’s the start of a better way to do business with First Nations, for sure.”

Mayor Rick Chrest said he’s proud the municipal service agreement and development is held in high esteem. The urban reserve is a win for both Gambler and Brandon and coming together is in the best interest of both communities.

“It’s got a significant scale, and therefore it’s going to be a very handsome development in our community — it’s their community among ours, so we’re really thrilled about it.”

It could also be an economic boon for the northern part of the city.

“One of the struggles that Brandon has had for years is the fact that people go zipping by on the Trans-Canada Highway, and people don’t realize that just half a mile off the road lies 50,000 people in a pretty dynamic, progressive city,” Chrest said.

“The more we get service and community activity pushed out near the Trans-Canada Highway, it helps the whole city and drawing people in.”

LeDoux said he’s hoping to partner with other First Nations to invest in Gambler’s urban reserve. The total cost of the project is around $50 million, so other investment would help offset the cost.

“Like everything we’ve been involved in with Brandon, it has been fantastic. It has given me the confidence and ability to move forward.”

Construction on the first two buildings is planned to start in the next month, and LeDoux said he hopes they will be open by the fall.

» dmay@brandonsun.com

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