Cheam First Nation announces Longhouse addition construction set to begin

CHILLIWACK — Cheam First Nation east of Chilliwack announced this past week that an addition to the Cheam Longhouse will begin today, Monday, July 17 and be finished by this winter.

In a statement on its Facebook page, combined with a link to its website, the first nation says that for the past two years, its Chief and Council, Longhouse Committee, and staff have worked to secure funding to support an addition to the Cheam Longhouse for a kitchen, washrooms, and septic.

“We are excited to announce that the construction of the Cheam Longhouse addition will start on Monday, July 17, 2023, with completion this winter,” Cheam First Nation wrote. “On May 5, 2022, the Community was awarded funding through Pacific Economic Development for the project. Due to the rise in material costs, the Chief and Council supported a top-up to ensure project completion. Working with Station One Architects, the design process began, once it was approved and the tendering process completed, Gerry Enns Contracting (GEC) was hired to build the Longhouse addition and septic field.”

Over the next few months, Cheam First Nation says its residents will notice GEC contractors in the community working to complete the addition.