House of Many Eyes...			..."Neutral Zone" in Burns Lake
			by Jim Easterday

Drop by the temporary office of the House of Many Eyes Friendship Centre in Burns Lake, you'll be impressed. There's a model of a new proposed community building that will soon change Burns Lake. All six First Nations of the Lakes District have worked together to propose a very large community centre that will be accessible to natives and non-natives alike. From 42,000 to 52,000 square feet, the building will include a large gymnasium, band offices, computer labs, dance studio, child day-care, adult day-care, recording studio, office space for rent, a law centre, fitness centre, and more.

This is an architect's model of the proposed complex

Sandra McArthur is Senior Executive Assistant. She explained that the name of the Friendship Centre, House of Many Eyes, reflects the fact that the project is a "neutral zone" for the Six First Nations involved. This is a project that has brought all parties together, with input from the Village of Burns Lake, with a common purpose, for the common good. Funding will be from the Federal and Provincial governments and the cost will be near $5 million. The site is on Babine Lake Band land off of Railway Ave near the Village Works Yard. Construction is planned for March of 2001 with completion in Fall of the same year.

The building will cover 42,000 to 52,000 square feet Photos courtesy of the House of Many Eyes

(September 22, 2000)

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