How Pikangikum's $30M Community Hub is Creating Jobs and Boosting Food Security in Northern Canada

Pikangikum First Nation Breaks Ground on Major Community Hub

Pikangikum First Nation is investing $30 million in a transformative community hub project that includes a new grocery store, motel, and diner. This ambitious initiative is designed to strengthen food security, create local jobs, and keep economic revenues within the community.

Led by Pikangikum First Nation with Bison Modular, ESB Construction and Cobra Enterprises, the project is set to open in 2026. (Courtesy: Pikangikum First Nation)

Comprehensive Community Development

The project represents a significant infrastructure investment in the remote, fly-in community. Developed in partnership with Bison Modular, ESB Construction, and Cobra Enterprises, the hub features:

• A 19,500-square-foot modular grocery store with pharmacy, hardware section, laundromat, and prep kitchen
• A motel and 50-seat diner complex
• Multiple four-plex and tri-plex residential units
• A commercial kitchen
• Supporting infrastructure including water cisterns and hydro coordination

Shane Prevost, vice-president and board member of Bison Modular, explained that the initiative originated from community leadership: "The band came to us with one of their consultants, ESB Construction. They wanted to create a grocery store for themselves. The nation actually owns itself and operates itself."

Achieving Food Sovereignty and Economic Control

One of the primary drivers behind the project is food sovereignty and keeping economic benefits within the community.

The project includes a 19,500 sq. ft. modular grocery store with pharmacy, hardware store, laundromat and prep kitchen. There is also a motel and diner complex with 36 rooms, 50-seat restaurant and a second laundromat. (Courtesy: Bava Dhillon)

John Birch, founder of ESB Construction, highlighted the community's motivation: "The reason they wanted to develop their own store is that they felt they could provide better pricing and a better shopping experience for their members, control their own food sovereignty and keep revenues in the community."

Birch emphasized the economic impact: "It was felt that the community wanted to take control of the revenues that were being generated in their community. The groceries for years were purchased through one company that was from off the reserve, and all those revenues and profits would leave the community with no economic benefit. So they wanted to flip the switch."

Job Creation and Affordability Benefits

The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities while making food more affordable for community members.

Sivakumar Sekar, a community member and future store manager, projected: "The project will help the local community members and also the job creation inside the community. So we can expect around 30 to 50 jobs with this project that will give you additional employment for the community members."

Lyndon Olfert, financial account manager for the project, stressed the affordability focus: "It would make the food more affordable as well, because the intent is to bring the cost down for the community members. The primary goal is not to generate as big a profit as possible; it is to provide a service to the community."

Modular Construction Enables Northern Development

The use of modular construction has been crucial for overcoming the challenges of building in a remote community.

Prevost explained the advantages: "All the projects were built modular. The building itself is about 95 per cent done off-site. And then on site, we're also up in Pikangikum doing all the earthworks."

This approach cuts construction times by 30 to 50 per cent and allows for future expansion after the 2026 opening. "Once they got everything up and running and their motel is full all the time, it's really easy for us to then go in and add in another 20 rooms or 30 rooms or whatever they need," Prevost said. "There is already an idea to expand this and add a gas station."