Matawa Training and Wellness Centre Thunder Bay - (File Photo)
Matawa Training and Wellness Centre is officially getting retrofitted.
Upcoming energy-efficient upgrades are expected to reduce the facilities’ energy consumption by roughly 70 per cent.
The upgrades that are planned include updates to the electrical systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), and the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), are both helping Matawa on the financial side.
The CIB is lending $15 million through its Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative (ICII), in addition to RBC’s $5 million of financing, to support the project.
“Together, we are modernizing the Training and Wellness Centre to ensure that accessible, high-quality health care and social services are available to everyone,” said the Minister of Indigenous Services and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Patty Hadju. “As the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s first retrofit project in an Indigenous community, this initiative highlights the importance of working together to advance the health, well-being, and resilience of First Nations communities across Canada.”
The facility addresses a critical infrastructure gap for the nine First Nations member communities by centring Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment and Training Services, Matawa Health Co-operative and Awashishewiigiihiwaywiin, Matawa’s social services department, into one location.
The Centre is expected to provide more than 20,000 social, health, and holistic care appointments each year.
“We are grateful that, after purchasing this unused property in Thunder Bay four short years ago, we now have the finish line within sight,” said the President of Matawa First Nations Management Board of Directors, Rosemary Moonias. “Having reached financial close on loan financing with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada, we are looking forward to the spring 2025 completion of the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre. It will be a place where Indigenous people and communities can heal and grow within a wrap-around and culturally sensitive approach.”
The Matawa-member communities who will benefit from the centre include:
- Aroland First Nation
- Constance Lake First Nation
- Eabametoong First Nation
- Ginoogaming First Nation
- Long Lake #58 First Nation
- Marten Falls First Nation
- Neskantaga First Nation
- Nibinamik First Nation
- Webequie First Nation
The Matawa Training and Wellness Centre is expected to open by the spring of 2025.
