The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, with the support of Bruce Power and Kinectrics, has broken ground on the new Nawash Community Arena in Neyaashiinigmiing — a project that will bring year-round recreation, connection, and opportunity to the heart of the community.
The new facility will feature an ice pad, seating for 250, six changerooms, concession areas, accessible washrooms, office and reception rooms. The arena is scheduled for completion in 2026 and will stand as a vibrant community hub for hockey, lacrosse, and other activities and programming.
“Our community has always been very sports-minded, and the hockey team was well known in the area — they were called the Cape Croker boys,” said Councillor and outgoing Nawash Chief Greg Nadjiwon. “After all these years, everyone wanted an arena here, and we are over the moon that it’s finally being built so their grandchildren will have a place to play.
“Community is more than just a word — community is the participation of all. This started with the community, and Bruce Power and the other companies stepped up to help bring it to life. This is the start. Let’s go Nawash!”
Following extensive collaboration, the project team has selected a state-of-the-art sprung structure to house the new arena. This decision was made after a joint review of several options and a site visit to the Piikani Nation in Alberta, where a similar structure is already serving the community.
“Our Elders teach us that the Youth are our future. In order for them to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually, they need opportunities for community-based recreation which will teach them teamwork, stamina, and strength,” said Nawash Chief Darlene Johnston. “These young ones, nurtured with the gift of sport, will find their place in the world with pride. Our community says ‘Chi-miigwech’ to Bruce Power and Kinectrics for their generous and timely donation.”
Bruce Power is proud to support both the planning and implementation phases of the project through a funding agreement with Nawash, including more than $1 million in direct financial contributions, as well as in-kind services and technical expertise. Additional funding will come from Bruce Power’s Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), an historic collaboration to market medical isotopes produced at the Bruce Power Site in SON Territory.
“A new arena was identified as a need by the Nawash Community and Bruce Power and its employees are honoured to work alongside Nawash in bringing this vision to life,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President.
An additional $500,000 contribution has been provided by Kinectrics, a Canada-based, premier nuclear lifecycle services company that reliably provides innovative engineering, on-site and isotopes solutions to Bruce Power and other nuclear facilities.
“We are proud to actively invest in the communities we operate in and support this important initiative that will help facilitate the development of youth within the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation,” said David Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kinectrics Inc.
The arena was designed in partnership with Artas Engineering, Makwa-Dewar, and Makwa Development, with construction led by BLT Construction.
Makwa Development President Scott Lee, a former Nawash Chief and Council member, has been working for several years to bring an arena to the community.
“Back in the 1960s, the community would come together and make ice,” Lee said. “We approached Chief and Council and purchased equipment to get started. We began with an outdoor pad, and through strong leadership, we moved toward a multi-use building. With the support of Bruce Power and all the contributing companies, we can grow this into a focal point of our community for sports and social gatherings.”
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
