‘This is just the beginning’: gas bar to be Naawi-Oodena’s first business

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This article was published 13/11/2023 (694 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was probably one of the most hopeful, impassioned and well-attended ground-breaking ceremonies held in Winnipeg for the construction of a gas station.

As the initial construction site at Naawi-Oodena urban economic development zone — which will eventually become a $1 billion-plus development across 109 acres of the former Kapyong barracks in the city’s southwest — Monday’s sod-turning ceremony marked an historic event in economic reconciliation.

Servicing of the land on the 7.7-acre parcel of land on the northeast corner at Taylor Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard is about to begin. Construction of the Oodena Gas Bar will start in spring.

It will be owned by seven member First Nations under the Treaty One Development Corp. banner — as will the $150-million worth of additional retail, commercial and affordable housing to be developed on the site over the next four or five years.

Smiling broadly at the event held under a bright, sunny sky on a brisk fall morning, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew gave an extended introduction in Ojibwa, the language of the Treaty 1 First Nations.

Kinew later added: “I encourage everybody here today and our fellow Manitobans that when you hear a land acknowledgement that acknowledges Treaty 1, I encourage people to think about this site and the opportunity and the hope that is being created here.”

The premier also read out an order of cabinet passed last week that took care of an outstanding legal request to “relinquish any future claim to the creation of this economic development zone.”

Treaty One Development Corp. is partnering with Canada Lands Co. (a federal Crown corporation) for Naawi-Oodena — which means “centre of the heart” or “centre of our community” — in what will be one of the largest infill development projects in the country. It will also be the largest urban reserve in Canada.

Monday’s ceremony marked the next phase in what has already been a 20-plus year journey to have control of the former federal military land change hands.

Gordon BlueSky, chief of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and chairman of Treaty One Development Corp., said two former Brokenhead chiefs of have died in the time it has taken to negotiate the transfer.

He echoed the sentiments shared by many others at the ceremony about how the development is being undertaken for the benefit of the children and grandchildren yet to be born member First Nations (Brokenhead, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River, Sagkeeng, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake).

“There has been lots of negativity and naysayers about the project, but I would just like to let them know and let everyone in Winnipeg know that this is just the beginning,” he said.

The corporate team has been talking with prospective investors, developers and tenants from across the country and outside Canada, BlueSky said.

“We want to make sure the project is a success,” he said. “Some of those discussions have been international. It is a challenge to find $1-billion resources in the province.”

Amid the outpouring of goodwill Monday morning, however, maybe it won’t be so hard. In addition to Indigenous, civic and provincial political leadership, members of the real estate development community were on hand.

Martin McGarry, chief executive officer of Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson, said he was there to support the project.

“This project is super important to all of us and it’s super important that the real estate development community gives back to help make it successful,” he said.

“All development takes time and this one, with the land transfer and Canada Lands involvement has taken an awfully long time, but look, we’re here. It’s amazing.”

Kathleen BlueSky, interim CEO of Treaty One Development Corp. (a search is underway for a permanent CEO), said the organization is in the process of establishing construction, property management and other subsidiaries.

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It’s currently well-resourced and is looking for investors with shared goals and are finding good prospects from an impact investing perspective, she added.

Canada Lands offices were closed Monday for the Remembrance Day holiday.

“Canada Lands Co., from the beginning, has been as strong partner and supported the work we do at Naawi-Oodena. From the master plan, design to infrastructure development, we have collaborated with CLC. We will continue to do that moving forward,” Gordon BlueSky said.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city is currently looking at updating the costs of widening Route 90 and other projects along the length, “to accommodate the development of Naawi-Oodena and to ensure that the development is successful.”

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca