SIGA opened their new office and warehouse on September 13, 2019. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

By Brady Lang

Head Faciity

New central office for SIGA unveiled, includes slot machine warehouse

Sep 13, 2019 | 5:06 PM

The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), along with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, unveiled their new $12 million facility Friday. The centralized offices will allow them the opportunity to control their own slot machine programs, and the ability to have their main departments under the same roof for the first time in 24 years.

SIGA took over servicing and control of their machines and floor from Western Canada Lottery Corporation on July 3, 2018. The new building is housing their 9,750 sq ft warehouse, which will allow them to house those machines. The office was developed to 40,800 sq ft, and includes the organizations main departments and multiple board rooms.

Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Patricia Cook, said the framework for the slot machine takeover and their new offices has been in the works since they signed their Gaming Framework agreement with Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming in 1995.

“It’s been a long time coming … it’s nice for all of us to be in one facility, being able to work together, and support our seven casinos,” she said. “(This facility is) something we’ve been working towards, and now we have it. We’re very excited about it.”

The building is on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation urban reserve land and is located across McKercher Drive from SIGA’s old offices, now housed by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

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The total cost of the building was approximately $12 million dollars, shared by Muskeg Lake and SIGA.

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Chief, Kelly Wolfe, said the building has been a long time coming, with the two in partnership since 1996. SIGA’s non-profit status allows 100% of profits to go back to beneficiaries and their partnerships. Wolfe said the new building will create more opportunities for the Cree Nation moving forward.

“Now we create revenue, and that revenue can go back to our people through programs and services.”

Wolfe keyed on the White Buffalo Youth Lodge as an example of one organization that’s benefited from SIGA in the past.

Cook said the new building will house between 170 to 180 employees, and has created jobs for employees working in their new warehouse.