The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) recently announced that it is providing a $15 million loan to support the Enoch Cree Nation Arena Road Rebuild Project in partnership with Enoch Cree Nation, Yekau Lake Settlement Trust, and River Cree Development Corporation. Through the financing partnership, the main transportation artery within the Enoch Cree Nation reserve will be paved and upgraded to include pedestrian crossings and a new multi-use pedestrian trail.

The enhanced seven kilometres of the road will connect the village core area to the economic hub of the community and future on-reserve developments. Once completed, the upgraded access road, street lighting and pedestrian safety features will support community well-being, enable economic development and offer safer commuting for all users.

Throughout construction, community members will benefit from valuable training and employment opportunities, which will create capacity within the community. The project expands Enoch Cree Nation’s in-house civil construction and maintenance capabilities, allowing the First Nation and its band-owned contracting company to perform and deliver on future larger civil projects. A crew of over 30 Indigenous employees – from Enoch administration and finance, to the road construction and development crew – are advancing the project.

Enoch Arena Road is being financed through the CIB’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, which lends to projects that deliver a direct benefit to Indigenous communities.

By tapping into CIB financing, Enoch Cree Nation, supported by its trust, the Yekau Lake Trust, will access affordable capital to accelerate and future-proof its community’s infrastructure needs. This partnership will address the current infrastructure gap while ensuring the community can continue to invest in its many other economic and social priorities.

The project is expected to reach substantial completion by the end of 2023.

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