"Building Boom" at Long Plain

Plenty of construction projects are on tap for Long Plain First Nation, including the construction of 12 tiny homes which are underway today.

Chief Dennis Meeches explains there is a big demand for homes at Long Plain.

"We have a big demand for homes and this is one way of addressing that. Although they're mini homes, they still provide a great place to live, I think, in the shelter."

Meeches adds he is very interested and excited about the project. He explains many band members have been asking council to take a look at the mini home concept, and this year they applied for mini homes instead of family units.

He says the mini homes will likely all be completed and in place in six months time.

Meeches adds they're going though a building boom this year, noting in August they will begin construction on five duplexes which he says will provide housing for larger families. They also plan to break ground on their project with the First Nation Market Housing Fund, Meeches explains.

"[It] is a home ownership program, but also allows Long Plain First Nation to build homes through that program and rent them out."

In addition to the housing projects, Long Plain also has several other construction projects on the agenda including continued installation of geothermal, a 20 million dollar office complex project in Winnipeg, which Meeches says will be Long Plain's largest undertaking to date, and a truck stop along the Trans-Canada Highway. Meeches notes in terms of the land on which the truck stop will be built, they are waiting for it to be converted to reserve status.