When Songhees Nation leaders first heard about , they knew an unprecedented economic opportunity was taking shape.
The late Chief Robert Sam and councillors began talks with the federal and provincial governments in 2011, looking at ways to take advantage of the SongheesB次元官网网址� proximity to the neighbouring Esquimalt Graving Dock.
On Tuesday, their hard work and negotiations came to fruition with the opening of the , a 1,200-square-metre education facility on Maplebank Road, and more importantly, on Songhees land.
B次元官网网址淔or too many years, weB次元官网网址檝e been excluded from this land,B次元官网网址� Songhees Coun. Ron Sam said at a joint press conference that included IMTARC executive director Alex Rueben, Seaspan president Malcolm Barker, B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Ida Chong, and Lynne Yelich, the federal minister of state for western economic development.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e entering into a relationship of mutual benefit,B次元官网网址� Sam said.
The training centre, comprised of two classrooms, a computer lab and offices, can handle about 50 students at a time and will provide customized curriculum, ranging from safety certifications to project management for the shipbuilding and repair industry.
By leasing land for the project, the Songhees were able to secure funding for its planned $16-million , a health, administration, tourism, education and recreation facility set to open next year.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be our economic engine, part of our nation,B次元官网网址� Sam said later in an interview. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be a lot of business development through the centre that will spur on a lot of economic development for our people.B次元官网网址�
While Songhees band council is still ironing out marketing and facility management details, the wellness centre will serve as an anchor for community services and schooling, said Fran LB次元官网网址橦irondelle, education co-ordinator.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to bring all of our classes, K-12, under one roof,B次元官网网址� she said.
The project is on budget and scheduled to open Jan. 22, 2014, said Richard Mandy, project manager.
Mandy has been making the rounds at various chambers of commerce and municipal councils over the past few months, scoping out potential tourism, marketing and other business partnerships.
B次元官网网址淲e know thereB次元官网网址檚 got to be a balance of renting it out and keeping time open for band members, but we have to find that balance yet. ItB次元官网网址檚 still a work in progress,B次元官网网址� Sam said.
For now, there is an abundance of interest from Songhees members who want to get into the training centre at an entry level.
B次元官网网址淲e have members who are very keen to get into this school,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e hope in working with Alex (Rueben) and his team, our members will have thriving careers in shipbuilding.B次元官网网址�
dpalmer@vicnews.com
