Indigenous Services Canada has upheld the results of this year’s Gambler First Nation Land Designation Referendum, paving the way for the start of construction on a multi-million dollar development on Gambler Urban Reserve land located North of Clare Avenue just off of 18th Street North in Brandon.
According to a Monday media release distributed on behalf of the First Nation, initial construction is to begin as soon as possible on a building that is to house a gas bar/convenience store as well as two retail spaces that a Gambler spokesperson has indicated have been filled with as yet unannounced occupants.
This week’s media release describes the fuel outlet as a co-op gas bar, with the spokesperson adding in a subsequent email exchange that the store and eight pump, four lane station are expected to be in operation by the end of 2020 in addition to the retail spaces. Further details are expected on the gas bar and retail spaces in the weeks ahead.
The development takes place in conjunction with a development services agreement signed with the City of Brandon in 2018. As part of the agreement, the First Nation pays an annual General Service Charge calculated with the same formula used to determine municipal taxes. In exchange the development sees access to most municipal services that would be seen by any other commercial development.
The site on Tuesday awaiting upcoming beginning of construction. Click/tap within the image to have a look around.
Interest and questions in the community have also surrounded future phases of the development since its initial May 2019 announcement and ground breaking ceremony. In response to a question on plans for a hotel and other buildings featured on a 2019 conceptual rendering for the 3.5 hectare development, the spokesperson advised that there is no current plan for a hotel but that “several negotiations are ongoing and developments will be announced when details are finalized.”
The site is the first reserve in Brandon. Earlier this summer Waywayseecappo First Nation held a Grand Opening of a new gas bar and convenience store just North of the City within the RM of Elton.
Some initial site preparation work took place at the Gambler site earlier this year, removing one step from the process as crews and equipment move towards beginning anticipated construction soon.
Gambler had held the referendum in a vote this past winter with the close ‘Yes’ result contested by some members with Indigenous Services Canada. In upholding the result, ISC ruled there to be “insufficient evidence to question the validity of the referendum.”
Located 17 miles Southwest of Russell, Gambler First Nation has a population of 293 members of Ojibway descent.