A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by the City of Prince Albert and the Woodland Cree First Nations. It means that the City will partner with the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Lac La Ronge Indian Band to share ownership of the planned Convention & Cultural Event Centre in the Yard District. The ownership agreement would be 55 per cent City of Prince Albert and up to 45 per cent owned by the First Nations.

In a news release the City of Prince Albert describes it as historic and groundbreaking and Mayor Greg Dionne says, “With 46 per cent of Prince Albert’s population declaring Indigenous heritage, this initiative is a significant step toward uniting the community and promoting growth across Central and Northern Saskatchewan.”

In addition to being a gathering place for events of every kind from pow wows and trade shows to weddings and gala dinners, it will also become the new home of the of the Prince Albert Raiders community-owned hockey club, the Prince Albert Northern Bears, and Prince Albert Mintos.  It will have a 4,500-seat capacity and the proposed site is adjacent to P.A.’s new Aquatic & Arenas Recreation Centre.

The MOU sets the stage for both parties to create a plan to pursue different ways to fund the construction and operation of the Convention & Cultural Event Centre.