Construction on the McMurray Métis Cultural Centre is expected to resume this fall after a year-long redesign aimed at reducing costs and putting the delayed project on a more sustainable path.
The announcement came on Saturday morning, near the future home of the cultural centre as thousands of people gathered for Métis Fest.
McMurray Métis District Captain Kelly Myers outlined the next phase of the project from the future cultural centre site.
The review focused on visitor experience, accessibility, building systems, operational planning and long-term financial sustainability. McMurray Métis says the work reduced remaining completion costs by about 60 per cent through value engineering, phased construction planning and operational redesign.
“As our citizens and visitors gather to celebrate who we are at Métis Fest, it feels fitting to stand at the home of our stories, our history, our rivers, our lands, our people and our future,” Myers said. “In order to move a canoe forward, you have to pull your paddle back. Although the decision to pause construction was extremely difficult, it was the responsible course of action.”
The cultural centre will include museum and exhibition galleries, event and programming space, a theatre for storytelling and performances, and areas dedicated to land-based learning.
McMurray Métis says the facility is intended to become a destination for education, tourism and economic development while preserving Métis culture for future generations.
Saturday’s announcement also included the introduction of the River of Legacy, a permanent installation recognizing governments, organizations, industry partners and individuals whose contributions helped advance the project.
“Like a river, this project has never been about one person or one organization,” Myers said. “It has been shaped by many hands moving together in the same direction.”
Funding for the project includes contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as McMurray Métis, Infinity Métis Corporation, Syncrude Canada, Canadian Natural Resources and Imperial Oil.
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