Lheidli T’enneh Councillors, Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, MP Todd Doherty and Regional District Chair Art Kaehn watch as Chief Frederick digs out the first shovel load of dirt – photo250News

Lheidli T’enneh  -It  is an historic day for the Lheidli Tenneh First Nation  as  they break ground on  two  fronts.

First,  they have officially  started  construction of a new  gas bar-convenience store that  will be located at IR#2  in Shelley,  across from the Band Office,  but  this First Nation is also  breaking ground  in that this project is their first commercial  venture on the reserve.

“This project has been in the works for years” says  Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick .  There had been  an  Atco trailer on the  selected site before, with the plan for  a convenience store, but Chief Frederick says it never became operational and Indian Affairs eventually removed the equipment.

Now, the  plan  is for a  gas station that will offer  regular gas and diesel and a convenience store  that will provide tobacco products and  convenience  items.  Community Economic Development  Manager Zishan Shah says the business  case for the  operation  has been based on the  customers who already come to the Band Office on Whenun  Road  for  their tobacco.

The Lheidli T’enneh also had some discussions with the McLeod Lake Band  which  operates a similar successful operation  on Highway 97 North.  “Of  course,  they have a much better location” says Shah,  who adds if the Lheidli T’enneh  project  proves to be successful,   the band may consider buying  property in a  better location and moving the  gas station and  store to that site  as all of the infrastructure will be portable.

Shah says  they  gained a lot of  information  from McLeod Lake on how to operate this kind of business.  “We will run it for about 6 months  and that  will give us  enough time to establish  hours of operation, and the number of  staff needed to  operate the business.”

Chief Frederick says  while  Status Indians  will  receive the full benefit of the  cost reductions  for  gas and  other  federally taxed items,  non status customers can also expect to  see  fuel  offered  at a discounted rate .  He chuckled and joked   “It will be cheaper than Costco.”

The Lheidli T’enneh have been busy.  Chief Frederick says  not only  is the office space   they occupy  at 2nd and George Street  full and active  with  economic development and  treaty  work,  but the Lheidli have recently purchased the old theatre at the corner of  3rd and Vancouver Street  in Prince George.  He says they  plan to turn that space into a meeting and conference  centre.

Regional District of Fraser Fort George  Chair, Art Kaehn  says the  gas station and store complex on the  reserve will  be welcome news for  the  Lheidli T’enneh  neighbours  “Those who live in the  area  will now have another option  to get  things they need rather  than having to drive all the way into Prince George.”

The gas bar is expected to be operational  December,  with  a grand  opening set for the  new year.