Feds announce $21M for Boyle Street's King Thunderbird Centre
The federal government will invest $21 million into the King Thunderbird Centre.
The new home of Boyle Street, okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre), has been under construction since 2023
The federal money was announced on Friday, and will be provided through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings campaign.
Boyle Street has also raised over $24 million for the project.
"Our city and our downtown face real challenges, and solving this problem needs all levels and all orders of government working alongside the frontlines of the amazing people of Boyle Street and so many others here from the public and private sector working together to get the job done," said Randy Boissonnault, minister of employment, workforce development and official languages.
"We are going to be able to serve our communities diverse needs in a safe, inclusive and accessible space, one that acknowledges cultural needs, and that all Edmontonians are treated and provided in a dignified way that respects their backgrounds."
King Thunderbird will have 75,000 square feet of indoor space, including a triage area for people needing health support and services. There will also be a private outdoor space for ceremonies and land-based healing.
The most recent rendering of Boyle Street Community Services's King Thunderbird facility, released to CTV News Edmonton on May 3, 2024. The enhancements to King Thunderbird Centre are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption by 99 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 708 tonnes annually.
The new facility has faced hurdles, including having its building permit revoked in November 2022.
In March 2023, the organization announced it was able to secure a permit again.
"This project has had lots of ups and downs, but with this investment, it removes all the uncertainty around this project," said Jordan Reiniger, the executive director of Boyle Street.
"(This investment) allows us to fully realize our original vision of a purpose built building that facilitates healing, that's a place of ceremony at the heart of our city and that gets people the supports that they need when they need it in the way that they need it."
The new facility will be located two blocks north of the former Boyle Street building.
"Thank you…to all of you who have come around this project in many different ways, you've approached this with compassion, with an open heart and you've just wanted to help your neighbors out who are struggling and having a difficult time," Reiniger said.
"This project is a demonstration of hope of what we can do in our city when we come together as a community and put people at the center."
Boyle Street has been operating in Edmonton for over 50 years.
The organization moved out of its previous location in September after the lease on the building ended.
The building was sold to the Oilers Entertainment Group in 2021 to raise funds for the new facility.
Boyle Street Community Services is currently in a legal battle with a branch of the Katz group over a disputed $5 million conditional donation for the centre.
However, Reiniger said the organization is confident they will be able to raise the last $4.5 million needed for the new facility.
"We're close enough that we can confidently say this is happening and we're starting construction," he added. "We're full steam ahead."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
BREAKING Morgan Spurlock, Oscar-nominated director of 'Super Size Me,' dies at 53
Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar-nominee who made food and American diets his life's work, famously eating only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died. He was 53.
BREAKING Canadian border workers vote in favour of possible strike: union
Border workers have voted in favour of a strike mandate which could lead to 'significant disruptions' to the flow of goods, services and people through Canadian ports of entry, their union said Friday morning.
BREAKING World Court orders Israel to halt assault on Gaza's Rafah
Judges at the top United Nations court ordered Israel on Friday to halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, in a landmark emergency ruling on South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
It began last month with the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister. Then the head of the ministry’s personnel directorate was hauled into court. This week, two more senior military officials were detained. All face charges of corruption, which they have denied.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.
The dog who inspired Dogecoin has died
Kabosu, the dog that launched a thousand 'doge' memes, has died, her owner announced Friday.
BREAKING Ontario to start expansion of alcohol sales in convenience and grocery stores this summer
Alcohol sales in Ontario will be enhanced in grocery stores and expanded to convenience stores this summer, a year-and-a-half sooner than expected, following a deal that will see the Ontario government provide The Beer Store up to $225 million for the early rollout.
Ontario patients visiting emergency rooms out of fear of being booted by family doctor
Ontario patients are now visiting emergency departments out of fear of being de-rostered from their doctor’s office – a loophole that results in hospitals dealing with non-urgent cases, and disrupts continuity of care paramount to family medicine, according to health-care experts.