New $17M recreation centre being built at Abegweit First Nation

The Abegweit First Nation will soon be hosting a new community centre in Scotchfort, thanks to$17 million from the P.E.I. and federal governments.

"This is something that we've been fighting for for 40 years: a place to meet and celebrate who we are," Chief Junior Gould said during the announcement Friday.

At the moment, he said, "we co-ordinate services out of an old barn."

Once complete, the centre will have recreational facilities, equipment and space for activities for people in his community and beyond, Gould said.

"What we're doing here is going to provide services and different opportunities for the eastern part of the Island."

During and after extreme weather events, the building will be available for useas a warming or cooling centre for all residents in the region, said Lawrence MacAulay, the federal minister of agricultureand MP for the riding of Cardigan.

"It's so wonderful to see the development that's taken place here over the last few years," he said. "It's really so impressive."

'The centre will serve as a hub'

The building will be built to net-zero specifications. Ottawa's $9-million financial contributioncomes from the Green and Inclusive Community Building program a $1.5-billion fund that helps pay for green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades.

The P.E.I. government is spending $8 million on the project, said Sidney MacEwen, the MLA for Morell-Donagh.

"The centre will serve as a hub, offering both essential and recreational services that support Indigenous people," said MacEwen.

He said it will also host sports tournaments,Mawi'omi celebrations, and other regional events and cultural activities.

The recreation centre will be connected to the new Abegweit Connects community building a 7,000-square-foot facility that opened at Scotchfort last year.