Cold Lake First Nations opens Multipurpose Building

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The Cole Lake First Nations administration began moving into their new Multipurpose Building last month. The building, designed by Edmonton architect Francis Ng Architect Ltd. And built by general contractor Alliance Construction Ltd. Of Bonnyville, married art and function. The building will serve as a community center and w ill house the band's administration.

"It's in the shape of an eagle from the air," said Maurice Mercier, president of Alliance Construction.

An eagle is symbolic of courage, strength and freedom, as well as being a sacred bird in many Aboriginal spiritual traditions. The eagle symbolizes a spirit that watches over and protects the community.

" The idea of the eagle design came from both the First Nation and from the architect," said Francis Ng. "Then I took the idea, which came from many people, and changed it into the design."

Ng has designed many other structures for First Nations around Alberta, and won an Alberta architecture design award for a dance arbor at Hobbema.

Mercier was satisfied with the construction of the building, which was started in November, 1995.

"Construction went reasonably well," he said. "We tried to employ as many Native people as we could on the project, of course. It went as any construction project should, which is to say that is good for us."

The building measures 1,378 sq. m in area, and each part of the eagle ? the two wings and the central body ? make up one-third of that area.

The central area, which is the eagle's body, contains the Exhibition Hall, which will be used for displaying artifacts and as a community gathering place. The east wing, or left wing of the eagle, houses the administration and council offices. The west wing houses the community hall and the public works and housing offices. The north wing, which is the tail of the eagle, contains the council chamber, which is designed as a theatre with elevated seating. It has a wood deck ceiling with wood cladded beams that represent the poles of a tipi. Finally, the south, area, which is the head of the eagle, is the entrance, which features a dramatic glass canopy.

An important aspect of the building is that, even though it embodies the spiritual of an eagle spreading its wings, it is amazingly practical. For example, the south wall of the council chamber is retractable and a stage just south of the chamber is moveable. This allows for a wide variety of uses for the chamber and the adjoining exhibition hall, is an open space which is reserved for community activities that can be held at any time. It can be partitioned into two spaces: a cafeteria with kitchen and a conference room. A podium at the entrance can be used as a stage for outdoor events.