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Kwikwetlem readies 90 acres for biz, medical site

The Kwikwetlem First Nation has been filling its IR2 in Port Coquitlam for 20 years.

If you're one of the dozens of people living close to the Kwikwetlem First Nation land, there's good news ahead.

Almost 20 years of filling at the 's Indian Reserve 2 (IR2) site are coming to an end, after many Port Coquitlam residents complained about the dirt kicked up from the property and landing inside their homes.

The dust been especially difficult to control this past summer with the hot, dry heat but KFN spokesperson Paul Lepage said, "We are doing the best we can and we understand the frustration of the neighbours."

All summer, site managers Saskay Land Development (a subsidiary of the band) has had two trucks with water tanks circling the 120 acres 10 hours a day to spray down the dirt, which has been carted in from development areas around the Lower Mainland, including Burke Mountain and from the Evergreen Extension tunnel in Port Moody.

On average, the holding company brings in 500 loads per day of pre-approved structural fill, which has allowed it to raise 90 acres (18 m higher on the north side) to prepare the land for future light industrial and commercial operations.

No tenants have officially signed on to build or lease the space but Saskay is moving ahead with plans for a 60,000-sq. ft. health and wellness centre that will serve both KFN and Tri-City residents. Last month, KFN hosted its first golf tournament to raise funds for the facility (see below).

And next week, the Kwikwetlem are inviting the public to meet at the Gathering Place at Port Coquitlam's Leigh Square Community Arts Village to give an update about its development proposals on IR2.

At the Sept. 20 outreach session, KFN council, elders, Lepage and other experts will show a video of the 120 acres — shot by a drone in late August — and provide conceptual drawings. They will also take questions.

"We have another 15 years to build this out and we're not quite sure right now what it's going to look like," Chief Ron Giesbrecht told The Tri-City News. "It's all market-driven."

Key to the development progressing is the servicing agreement with the city of PoCo (KFN also has a land claim against the municipality). Saskay has been checking off its environmental and engineering standards with the federal government and, now, it awaits the city's approval to tie into its sanitary, sewer and water pipes.

In a statement to The Tri-City News, Laura Lee Richard, PoCo's director of development services, said the city has no timeline for when the draft agreement will go before city council for consideration.

"The city is currently working with the KFN's consultants to determine its servicing requirements in order to develop the terms to be included in a servicing agreement," she wrote.

Chief Giesbrecht, though, is hopeful a deal can be reached before next spring.

He wouldn't say how much has been spent on the project to date — and an email request for comment about the source of funding wasn't answered by Lepage — but Giesbrecht was eager to point out the possible benefits to Tri-City residents: Besides adding the medical centre, Pitt River Road will be upgraded from the KFN access point to Riverside secondary school; a lighted intersection will be installed; and a path linking to the Traboulay PoCo Trail will be built.

Giesbrecht also talked about the benefits to KFN's 106 members, 38 of whom live on IR1, on the Coquitlam side, saying several are working for Saskay as managers, first aid personnel and flaggers.

Last year, KFN signed a 99-year lease with the federal government for IR2 and its development design will be a reflection of the First Nation.

Today (Wednesday), a spokesperson for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) said KFN operates under the Indian Act and is subject to federal environmental laws and regulations. 

"INAC is working with Kwikwetlem First Nation to address the proposed development site on its reserve including working through INAC's Contaminated Sites Management Program," Stephanie Palma said. "INAC will supervise the investigation and remediation of this property to allow for development of the site for future commercial/industrial use."

Following remediation, an environmental impact assessment — as per the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act — will be required for the proposed project, she said.

"At the end of the day, we want to be self-sufficient," he said. "We are close to doing that."

• The Kwikwetlem First Nation public forum is Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gathering Place (200-2253 Leigh Square Pl., beside PoCo city hall). Visit kwikwetlem.com for more information.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com

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WELLNESS CENTRE

The first building to go up on Kwikwetlem First Nation's 90-acre site off Pitt River Road in Port Coquitlam will be a four-storey wellness centre that will be open to the general public, not just First Nations members.

The 60,000-sq. ft. structure is expected to accommodate medical doctors, a pharmacy, dentist and other health services.

"We want people at the meeting to tell us what they would like to see included," KFN spokesperson Paul Lepage said. "There is a definite need out there."

Development consultant Liz Charyna and Alexis Grace, a health director, told The Tri-City News earlier this year the facility will also have traditional healing methods as part of the programming as well as, perhaps, a treatment centre, daycare and preschool.