Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
The Battlefords Tribal Council has unveiled a $230-million development plan that includes a new casino, a 3,000-seat arena, a new high school, affordable housing and expanded health services, describing the multi-year initiative as a major investment in the future of the Battlefords.
The project, called Gold Eagle Landing, was announced Wednesday at the Gold Eagle Lodge and outlined as one of the largest Indigenous-led developments in Saskatchewan. BTC says the plan will modernize education, housing, health care and recreation infrastructure while supporting long-term economic growth.
Read more:
- ‘This is not an Indian problem. This is a social problem,’ BATC chief says as policing concerns escalate
- Inside the Ring of Fire: A tale of two First Nations and a road that could change everything
- Gull-Masty signals go-slow approach to changing First Nations status eligibility
“These are not things that the chiefs want. These are things that children and the families need in this community,” Tribal Chief Wayne Semaganis said.
BTC’s plan includes:
- A new Gold Eagle Casino, hotel and spa;
- A new Sakewew High School;
- A 100-unit affordable housing project;
- A major new health-sector facilities, including diagnostic and dialysis services and a seniors’ care home; and
- A proposed 3,000-seat, two-pad arena and event centre.
BTC says the new casino would replace the existing Gold Eagle Casino, which opened in 1996. Semaganis said it is the only Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority casino still operating in its original building.
“We are the only ones that can have a casino in the Battlefords under the current Gaming Framework Agreement,” he said. “All we want to do is move it to a more productive site that fits the need.”
An arrow on a project map points to the approximate area where BTC proposes to build a new 3,000-seat arena. (Battlefords Tribal Council)
Preferred arena and casino locations
BTC is proposing to build the new arena on city-owned land just south of the NationsWEST Fieldhouse and the pool, an area identified in earlier Urban Systems planning work as a preferred commercial expansion zone.
BTC says it is willing to donate land valued at about $5 million and contribute $15 million in cash to match the city’s expected investment. The project timeline lists 2028 as the target opening for the new arena and event centre.
“I can’t wait seven more years to see a new arena here,” Semaganis said, noting discussions that the city’s arena concept could open in 2032. “We will lose a lot of families. We’ll lose a lot of business opportunities that come with such a development.”
The new casino, hotel and spa would be constructed beside the Gold Eagle Lodge on BTC-owned land immediately west of the InnovationPlex area. BTC says it intends to open the new casino in 2027.
BTC adviser Randy Wallace said the casino and arena plan is designed to be financially linked.
“The idea in building the new casino here is that the casino will also contribute money to the costs of the new arena,” he said.
New high school and housing
A replacement for Sakewew High School is another core component. Semaganis said the existing building is outdated and inadequate. The school was opened in 2002.
“It’s a very inappropriate building for it to be an educational facility,” he said.
“It was always acknowledged to be a temporary facility. It’s time to give them a permanent, top-of-the-line, first-class facility.”
Affordable housing is also included in the proposal, with BTC saying it has been in discussions with ATCO, a Calgary-based engineering company, and modular builders.
“We need that affordable housing in the Battlefords,” Semaganis said. “If we build all these other projects, families will want to come here, but where will they live?”
BTC says construction of both the new casino and the education and housing components is set for 2027.
Health-care expansion
BTC says it has been in talks with Emmanuel Health and the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation to bring clinical, therapy, diagnostic and dialysis facilities to the region, along with a seniors’ care home. Semaganis also said BTC wants to support future health-sector training through North West College (NWC).
BTC says construction of the health components is also expected to begin in 2027.
Next steps with the city
Semaganis said BTC has completed the planning stage for several components and is meeting with Mayor Kelli Hawtin to discuss zoning, approvals and land requirements.
“We have to work together,” he said.
“A lot of more meetings would have to be done first, not just internally, but also with the city and with the province, because when it comes to gaming and health, these are provincial businesses that we need to be a part of.”
Before outlining the development plan, BTC presented donations of $5,000 to BGC Battlefords and $10,000 to the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.
“There’s a discomfort in our relationship,” Semaganis said. “And we’re never going to get over it unless we start building all these projects together.”
BTC is also one of the organizations that signed an MOU with the city to take part in discussions on a proposed regional arena and event centre.
Casino dispute
BTC’s announcement comes amid a public dispute with Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) over who holds authority for future casino development in the Battlefords.
BTC’s position
In a written media release, BTC says:
Mosquito approved a 49-year head lease in 2002 allowing the Gold Eagle Casino to remain at its present location until 2050.
SIGA offered lease extensions to 2037, which BTC says it accepted and signed on Dec. 9, 2024.
Mosquito has no approvals to build a casino in the Battlefords under the Gaming Framework Agreement.
Only one casino can be authorized in the region.
Semaganis told reporters:
“They proposed it, but they won’t be able to get it under the current gaming framework agreement. So, it is still our business to build and to protect what we have to make sure that it’s prospering and growing.”
MGBHLM First Nation’s response
MGBHLM Chief Tanya Stone issued a statement rejecting BTC’s claims as “inaccurate and misleading,” saying the First Nation is the lawful landholder and decision-maker for all development on its reserve.
“BTC does not hold a headlease for the Gold Eagle Casino and therefore has no authority, jurisdiction, or decision-making role on Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation lands,” she said.
“All decisions related to land use, development, and governance rest solely with MGBHLM First Nation.”
For context, the Nation owns the land beneath the current casino and leases it to SIGA through a head-lease and sub-leases.
Stone said Mosquito has already begun work to “construct a new home for the Gold Eagle Casino on our reserve lands,” and added that both Indigenous Services Canada and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority have been informed there will be no lease extension past April 2027 for the casino.
She also said BTC “holds no Treaty, legal, or operational authority” over MGBHLM’s developments.
MGBHLM is one of the seven First Nations under the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC), while BTC is a separate tribal council representing its own member nations.
SIGA’s response
battlefordsNOW reached out to SIGA for clarification, but the request was declined. However, following the MGBHLM announcement on Oct. 27, SIGA issued a statement saying it has no plan to relocate the current Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford.
