FORT McMURRAY — Construction on the beleaguered McMurray Métis Cultural Centre is expected to resume this fall after a year-long redesign aimed at reducing costs and putting the delayed project on a more sustainable path.
The announcement came Saturday as thousands of people gathered for Métis Fest, where McMurray Métis District Captain Kelly Myers outlined the next phase of the project from the future cultural centre site.
The project, which is three years behind schedule and about $50 million over its original budget, was paused throughout 2025 while the leadership team undertook a comprehensive review of the facility’s design, operations and construction strategy.
The review focused on visitor experience, accessibility, building systems, operational planning and long-term financial sustainability. McMurray Métis says the work reduced remaining completion costs by about 60 per cent through value engineering, phased construction planning and operational redesign.
“As our citizens and visitors gather to celebrate who we are at Métis Fest, it feels fitting to stand at the home of our stories, our history, our rivers, our lands, our people and our future,” Myers said.
“In order to move a canoe forward, you have to pull your paddle back. Although the decision to pause construction was extremely difficult, it was the responsible course of action.”
She said the redesign was intended to protect both the project’s vision and the investments already made by governments, industry and the Métis community.
“A tremendous amount of effort happened behind the scenes to reposition this project, strengthen it, and create a path forward that protects the vision and investment made by our citizens and partners,” Myers said.
“It gives me great pleasure to now share construction activity will become highly visible to the public as we continue moving this project ahead.”
Project director Shawn Myers said much of the work completed over the past year occurred away from the construction site.
“A considerable amount of work happened in 2025, which included significant value engineering exercises and redesign of the entire infrastructure,” he said.
“The work completed over the last year has built a stronger foundation for what happens next. Construction is much more than bulldozers and cranes.”
McMurray Métis said community engagement played a central role throughout the redesign, with citizens and stakeholders helping shape accessibility improvements, visitor experience and future programming.
The redesign was completed with support from Reimagine Architects, EllisDon and Bird Construction, which worked with project leadership to prepare the next construction phase.
The cultural centre will include museum and exhibition galleries, event and programming space, a theatre for storytelling and performances, and areas dedicated to land-based learning.
McMurray Métis says the facility is intended to become a destination for education, tourism and economic development while preserving Métis culture for future generations. The organization says the centre will directly support 24 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action through education, cultural preservation and community engagement.
Saturday’s announcement also included the introduction of the River of Legacy, a permanent installation recognizing governments, organizations, industry partners and individuals whose contributions helped advance the project.
“Like a river, this project has never been about one person or one organization,” Myers said. “It has been shaped by many hands moving together in the same direction.”
Executive director Don Scott said the cultural centre represents a long-term investment in both the community and reconciliation.
“The McMurray Métis Cultural Centre is more than a construction project, it is a long-term commitment to Métis culture, community pride, and future opportunity,” Scott said.
“McMurray Métis remain focused on delivering a facility that protects the vision of our nation, one that preserves culture, supports education and reconciliation, and creates meaningful economic impact for generations.”
Funding for the project includes contributions from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as McMurray Métis, Infinity Métis Corporation, Syncrude Canada, Canadian Natural Resources and Imperial Oil.
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