The First Nation's University has outgrown its downtown campus and says it is close to securing the funding for a new site in the South Hill area. (file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Education

New campus project is shovel ready, says FNUniv

Nov 30, 2023 | 6:00 PM

The Prince Albert Grand Council is looking to raise $5 million as it eyes the likelihood of a new campus being built in the city for the First Nations University.

Grande Chief Brian Hardlotte is excited about what the new building will bring.

“The new First Nations University northern campus is really to be a game changer,” he said.

A new campus has been a goal for a long time but in the last two years, progress has been picking up.

The university has applied for a federal grant of $25 million and says it has a strong application.

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“That’s about one half of what we need to build an eco-friendly campus here in Prince Albert,” Hardlotte said.

The project is important with other large projects happening and the growth that is anticipated to follow.

“It’s critical now because we’re at the tipping point where our community is growing, our students needs are expanding and we’ve outgrown our current space,” he said.

The campus is more than a building, Hardlotte said, and it will be a haven for their students to help them hold onto their culture and language.

The University itself has set aside $8.5 million of its money and got a mortgage of $11 million. That leaves about $5 million to raise, which the university said it will get.

President Jackie Ottmann, said if the federal funding goes ahead, they will be ready to start construction soon afterwards.

“Basically, what we’ve been doing is waiting to hear back from Infrastructure Canada about our submission,” she said.

The federal funding would come from Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Building Fund.

Recently, the City of Prince Albert gave them five acres of land near the Alfred Jenkins Field House for one dollar, a move that speaks to the city’s commitment to reconciliation, according to Hardlotte.

“The capability, the way the building is designed, it’s not only a green building but it will also have room to grow and room to host community events,” said Ottmann.

It’s not quite as big as the space lost when the PAGC’s Senator Allen Bird Centre burned last winter but it will be able to host gatherings.

They have been told their submission is strong although the decision has been delayed by strikes and a cabinet shuffle.

Along with a detailed plan, the university included a detailed economic impact study with their application, which Ottmann is confident will make a difference.

If the federal government says yes, they already have some large community donations lined up that total $1.5 million meaning just another $3.5 million is needed to meet the goal.

“We are waiting and we are also shovel ready. So that means once we get funding, we should be able to start as soon as possible,” she said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com