SASKATOON, Sask. — Flying Dust First Nation Chief Tyson Joseph Bear recently announced a major commercial development on its land north of Railway Avenue in Meadow Lake, moving ahead with plans for a new gaming facility, hotel and other amenities designed to attract visitors and create economic opportunities.
“We started a commercial development back home on Flying Dust First Nation. We installed the infrastructure, and we had the water treatment plant and everything,” said Bear.
He added that parts of the project, which is the First Nation's effort to improve tourism in the region, are already in place, including water and sewer services and a water treatment plant.
He said the development initially centred on a hotel and other commercial opportunities but added the gaming facility as another way to draw visitors to the area.
The planned gaming facility will be about 6,000 square feet, is expected to include 49 gaming positions and will also include an area where visitors can sit, have drinks or use a lounge connected to the hotel via a breezeway.
Bear said the project has a largely completed building design and site plan, and water and sewer services are ready to go. Once construction begins, Bear expects to complete the building in about six months.
“I put the cart before the horse, and I already had the design of the building just about done. So, we’re going to be probably breaking ground in about three weeks, and we'll be going from there,” said Bear.
The development also represents years of work to secure the land. The property was formerly a railway bed and was subject to a specific land claim for more than 20 years before it was resolved and the land was returned to Flying Dust First Nation.
Bear and previous First Nation leaders were credited with persevering through that process and creating an opportunity to develop the property. The project is now being positioned as a significant economic development initiative for the First Nation and the wider region.
He also emphasized the longstanding relationship between Flying Dust First Nation and Meadow Lake, describing the communities as closely connected and adding that the development can build on that relationship. The project's broader vision is to create a destination that attracts visitors while generating economic activity and opportunities for residents.
With construction expected to begin within weeks, the development is moving from years of planning toward becoming a major new commercial presence in the Meadow Lake area.
