(File photo/paNOW staff)

By Susan McNeil

River Academy

Métis Nation gets city support on Rivier Academy purchase plan

Apr 26, 2022 | 11:23 AM

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan has made an offer to purchase the Rivier Academy and has the support of city council in doing so.

All councillors spoke in favour of the MN—S application for a development permit yesterday.

Former mayor and current councillor Don Cody made the motion to approve the permit, saying it was a good idea to work with an organization.

“It’s a great opportunity for us in the city to have a partner like the Métis Nation,” said Cody. “They’re a big organization and they have a lot of people and they have a lot of Metis people in town.”

While the sale on the facility from the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary to the MN—S is not complete yet as the conditions of the sale are still in the process of being satisfied, the Métis organization has multiple plans if it does proceed.

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Council approved catering services, a child care centre, a health clinic, office, private school and public assembly in the development permit.

“We are hopeful about the possibilities that a facility like 1405 Bishop Pascal Place might provide. We have not passed the condition removal phase of the transaction and are currently conducting due diligence and awaiting the outcome of condition reports, inspections, and other vital details,” said the MN—S in a statement.

“Our Métis Nation–Saskatchewan government looks for opportunities to build capacity across the province to improve our communities’ well-being, including Métis cultural and educational projects.”

In addition to providing the potential of 50 FTE jobs, the MN—S is hopeful they can re-open the pool for use by the public in some manner.

Cody said the logistics of operating a pool and the costs can be challenging but hopes the MN—S could make it work.

The pool, known as Marion Aquatics, closed in 2021 after being operated for 44 years by the Sisters.

Cody said that it will be a help to the Sisters who have been attempting to sell the building for years.

“You know it’s nice to be able to help out the Sisters. The Sisters have had that building for many, many years and they’re now getting elderly and a lot of them are passing on,” said Cody.

For them to get the opportunity to sell the place and have it in a dignified manner go to the likes of the things that the Metis Nation is going to do with education and all of those kinds of things and day care is going to be great,” he said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow