Tuesday's celebration was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Business development

‘It’s a good thing for our people’: Muskoday celebrates opening of new gas bar and convenience store

Mar 7, 2023 | 3:57 PM

Mark Arcand says the opening of a new convenience store and gas station at Muskoday First Nation, represents a day in history for the community.

The Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council was among a number of dignitaries on hand for Tuesday’s grand opening celebration and he acknowledged all the partners that were involved.

“It wasn’t about I, it was about team. It was about community and it was about people,” he explained.

Further noting the over 20 staff employed, Arcand added the store represents an example of strong leadership and what can be accomplished when partnerships are formed.

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The project discussions started roughly four years ago. Including paving work, the final price tag is $5.5 million. The community received $130,000 in federal funding and the rest was financed through the First Nation Bank of Canada.

In her remarks, Chief Ava Bear acknowledged the store’s opening has been a long time coming.

“But it’s here now and it’s beautiful and I hope the members of Muskoday appreciate it for many years to come,” she said. “It’s a good thing for our people.”

Bryan McCrea with 3twenty Modular presents Chief Ava Bear with a gift. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Ian Bear, a board member with the Muskoday Economic Development Authority (MEDA), indicated his own desire that this project be the first of many to come. He explained indigenous economic development is not about profits.

“It’s never about dollars and cents. It’s about what you can provide for the community as a whole,” he said.

Ian Bear addresssed the crowd in attendance. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The contractor hired for the building was 3twenty Modular out of Corman Park. Co-founder Bryan McCrea explained the store is state-of-the art and citing the small solar array being used to help power, added may be the most energy efficient store of its kind in the province.

“This building will produce as much energy as it consumes on a 12-month average. I think it’s really exciting,” he said.

Austin Bear was chief when discissions first started and speaking with paNOW said it was certainly satisfying standing there in the finished project.

“It’s a nice building and the people we worked with, the contractors and the financiers and the engineers, were a great group,” he said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The store’s old gas station was built over 25 years ago and Chief Bear indicated it may be used for office space, but added there’s some been some interest from business owners.

Throughout the rest of the week, as a way of welcoming the community, the store will have a number of prize giveaways including big screen TV’s and a weekend getaway to Dakota Dunes.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell.