While Aug. 21, 2012 marked a day of sadness for Morley community members, who lost their iconic Chiniki Restaurant to a senseless act of arson, Nov. 18, 2013 marked a day of celebration for the unveiling of the soon-to-be newly constructed Chiniki Village, which will include a restaurant.
“The project will start in the spring of next year, April, and we will have it done by November first, 2014,” said Chiniki Chief Bruce Labelle, in his address to the crowd at the sod-turning ceremony at the old restaurant site.
The new restaurant will be 6,400 square feet, but the entire two-storey building will encompass more than 10,000 square feet, including a gift shop, Stoney museum, gas bar and convenience store.
Labelle said the unveiling of the new Chiniki Village redevelopment plan is an achievement for the entire Stoney Nakoda Nation, not just for the Chiniki Band.
The architect for the project is Alvin Reinhard Fritz Architect Inc. and the builder is Timko.
According to Chiniki Band CEO, Harvey Thunderchild, this new facility will provide a range of employment opportunities for Nation members.
Labelle told the crowd that while the initial plan was to rebuild only the restaurant, he and his fellow councilors, Frank Chiniquay, Clifford Powderface, Terry Rider and Lional Wildman, realized that other Chiniki Band buildings were in need of renovations and it would make more sense to have everything under one roof.
The new Chiniki Restaurant will be covered in part by insurance dollars, as well as with Band monies.
Four people, three of whom were minors, were charged with arson in November of 2012, following a lengthy investigation.
The restaurant had long been a favourite tourist destination for those travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway, as well as a meeting place for many Morley community members. The estimated damages were $1.1 million.
