Public Notice

Notice of intent to make a determination

Zagime Anishinabek Youth Centre – Public Comments Invited

 

February 11, 2025 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Zagime Anishinabek Youth Centre is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

 

Written comments must be submitted by March 13, 2025 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2B6
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

Zagime Anishinabek are proposing the construction of a new youth centre to establish a dedicated space for children and youth within the community, addressing the current lack of accessible cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. The project involves the construction of a purpose-built youth centre that will provide a multifunctional space for community programming, youth mentorship, and cultural preservation. The centre aligns with First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) and Jordan's Principle funding priorities, ensuring it is a community-driven initiative supporting Indigenous youth well-being.

The youth centre is designed as a 14,508-square-foot facility with designated areas for educational support, cultural and land-based programming, recreational activities, and life skills development. The building will include a large multipurpose youth space, art and music rooms, a land programming room for cultural teachings, counseling and life-prevention support areas, a fully equipped kitchen for food sovereignty programming, quiet study rooms and meeting spaces, and outdoor spaces for land-based learning and healing. The conceptual design ensures flexibility for various youth-focused activities while integrating community needs identified through engagement sessions. With proper maintenance, the centre is projected to have a lifespan of 40+ years.

The proposed youth centre site is positioned near essential facilities such as the school, band office, and health centre, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure. All necessary connections to existing services including water, sewage, electricity, and fire suppression are already in place.

Site preparation will involve earthwork and grading to ensure a stable foundation for construction, and temporary access routes and safety measures will be established. The construction phase will include erecting the building structure, installing interior components, and integrating essential systems such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Quality control assessments and inspections will be conducted to ensure the facility meets safety and operational standards. Upon completion, the final walkthrough and commissioning phase will confirm the building's readiness for occupancy.