A landmark for connection, healing and growth
With plans to teach traditional values and offer its youth a safe space to learn, play, connect, grow and heal, the Attawapiskat First Nation set out to build a youth centre. Located in the heart of the community, the new state-of-the-art Attawapiskat Youth Centre is a landmark for connection, healing and growth.
The 10,200 sq. ft. building’s design incorporates local culture and traditional teachings, drawing inspiration from the natural world, as well as colours, art and language from the Attawapiskat community. The centre offers youth a space to build a sense of community, with amenities ranging from a teaching kitchen, café and fitness space to craft, quiet and games rooms, as well as a large multi-purpose area. Outside, kids and teens enjoy a playground, splash pad, fire circle, greenhouse and bicycle trails. The centre’s amenities provide opportunities for youth to engage with Elders and other community members, promoting intergenerational relationships and knowledge.
Energy efficiency was also a priority for the community. Working with its project team, the First Nation settled on passive heating and cooling strategies, which involved selecting solar panels, a battery storage system, building controls and other equipment to maximize efficiency and streamline operations.
The First Nation officially broke ground on the youth centre in 2019, however, the community’s hope and optimism were challenged when construction came to a halt in March 2020. Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the schedule, Northern Ontario’s harsh weather conditions also played a significant role.
With construction halted, the centre’s roof remained unfinished. Water soon infiltrated the building, causing significant damage to both the materials and the structure itself. After thoroughly assessing the situation and navigating other challenges such as water and sewer capacity, late material deliveries, insurance issues, new contract negotiations and more, it became clear that the only viable solution was to tear down and rebuild the entire aboveground structure from scratch.
Quick Facts
After declaring a state of emergency in the community, the Attawapiskat First Nation set out to build a state-of-the-art youth centre.
The First Nation broke ground on the project in 2019, but weather-related impacts and pandemic delays forced it to re-start construction from scratch in 2022.
The Attawapiskat Youth Centre is a symbol of perseverance, resilience and community spirit, offering youth a safe space to connect, heal, grow and learn.
Delivering projects with perseverance and community spirit
The Attawapiskat First Nation restarted its project in 2022 after working with our project management team to secure the necessary funding. With our team at their side, they were not only able to start over, but to protect elements of the original building and make necessary changes to correct past issues during the rebuild.
The timeline to rebuild was tight and the entire project team needed to realign quickly to meet the revised schedule. As project managers, one of our key tasks was to rebuild trust and confidence within the community and amongst project collaborators. With the support of the community and project team, our team delivered a detailed project plan, transparent communication and the meticulous coordination of all those involved.
Tragedy struck when Attawapiskat First Nation’s Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Turner passed. Wayne was a leader and advocate for the Attawapiskat community and its youth. His passing deeply affected everyone working on the project. All project members approached the remainder of the project with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility in his honour and to carry out his vision for the youth centre.
As project managers, it’s our role to help project owners overcome challenges, achieve their goals and deliver projects to the highest standards. But the relationships built within the project team and the broader community were the key factor in helping to make this project a success. Open communication, transparency and collaboration made it possible to navigate any and all challenges.
The Attawapiskat Youth Centre officially opened its doors to the community in September 2024. Reflecting Wayne Turner’s vision and influence, the centre is more than just a building – it is an intergenerational gathering place and beacon of hope for local youth that will have a profound impact on the community for years to come.
