THUNDER BAY – Matawa First Nations will now be able to officially move ahead with plans for a new high school in Thunder Bay.
Thunder Bay city council on Monday night unanimously approved finalized the grant of the former Grandview Lodge home for the aged building to Matawa First Nations Management. The city and Matawa officials in August previously signed a letter of intent to acquire the Lillie Street facility.
The resolution passed by council, “in recognition of the need for First Nation students from remote communities living in Thunder Bay to have access to safe and supportive accommodation and quality education,” will allow Matawa the building for “redeveloping it as a student care and education centre.”
“Turning Grandview over to Matawa Learning Centre will put new life into that organization and more importantly provide a safe environment for the young people that attend their learning centre program as well as (Keywinook Okimakanak), KKETS and the other features that will be in that building,” Coun. Iain Angus said.
Angus said the deal includes provisions for the city to regain ownership of the building if Matawa does not go forward with the project.
There are still some legal agreements to be completed, including the formal transfer of the property, but Matawa intends to move into the building by January, Angus added.
In August, Matawa chief executive officer David Paul Achneepineskum said there are about 300 students from their nine communities attending high school in Thunder Bay, with the existing Matawa Learning Centre operating at maximum capacity with about 50 students.
The new facility will accommodate 100 students and will provide both a place to live and a place to learn, Achneepineskum said at the time. He added while classes could operate out of the building during the current school year, the residential component would likely begin in September 2018.
Grandview Lodge, a city operated home for the aged, was shuttered in early 2016. The property was available for sale for more than a year before the partnership between the city and Matawa was announced.
