Renfrew’s $16-million athletic centre creates First Nations partnership

Chief Richard Zohr of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation is looking forward to Renfrew’s $16.1-million expansion of the town's Ma-Te-Way Athletic Centre.

He was on hand for last week's government funding announcement, to discuss the creation of a new Cultural Centre within the complex and the significance of the partnership as part of the reconciliation process between First Nations people and all Canadians.

“The cultural centre itself is a unique building, but the medicine wheel that is part of it, the round dome, is extremely unique because it’s probably the only medicine wheel to be built in Canada. There are some outside, but they’re very hard to get to. They’re very ancient,” he said. “And this one, the way it’s going to be designed, its multiple layers of teaching tools. It really is a massive teaching tool and you really have to see it to believe it.”

Chief Zohr said everything in the building and their locations have meaning to them.

“So when they are actually building the facility inside of it, there will be multiple ceremonies going on during that time.”

Chief Zohr explained the First Nation had been working on a proposal for several years, adding they approached the town about a joint submission, instead of doing it alone as they originally planned.

“We decided to do it jointly and that really made it unique, and we supported each other that way,” he said. “Throughout the year there was constant discussions with staff and we actually wrote part of the material for the reconciliation component of it and how reconciliation will actually be addressed within the building structure itself.

There is a 10-year agreement with the town to run the facility, he said, adding they want to do more with Renfrew. He said there is another project in the works that will take a little more time to develop.

“It’s part of, not only, the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation but the Algonquins of Ontario themselves,” he said. “You’re going to see more unique partnerships built and we’re already doing that with certain municipalities. “We support them, they support us, and because of that, we both benefit.”

Zohr said the cultural centre will employ a staff of at least 14.

Construction is under way and Renfrew recreation officials say it should not have much effect on upcoming fall and winter programs at Ma-Te-Way.

The Government of Canada is investing over $6.4-million toward the project through its Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is providing over $5.3-million, and the Town of Renfrew is contributing over $4.2-million. This project includes expanding the current community arena and hall to include an Indigenous Cultural Centre, an additional ice pad, a walking track, fitness centre, gymnasium, and multipurpose rooms.