Site confirmation and funding donation moves Foundry Burns Lake project forward

October 26, 2022

The Burns Lake Foundry project confirms site acquisition and is moving into the design phase. 

Foundry centres have been opened across BC and act as sites for health, mental wellness and substance-use services for youth. The long-awaited news of a confirmed site for Foundry Burns Lake is now possible to announce for 686 McPhail Rd. across from Lakes District Secondary School.  The visibility, accessibility and proximity of the location to the high school make it an ideal location to support youth, with the site provided through partnership between CSFS and the School District. 

The project is being guided by a Leadership Advisory Committee made up of all the leadership groups in Burns Lake.  The development of the project is made possible through funding partnerships with Foundry Central, supported by the Province of BC; Indigenous Services Canada and Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS).

Now that a site is secured, our next goal is to raise the $4.1 million needed to complete the build of Foundry Burns Lake. We are excited to announce we have received our first major donation from Hampton Lumber’s Babine Forest Products & Decker Lake Forest Products. Thanks to their generous donation of $250,000, we are able to prepare the site for construction to begin in 2023.

“We are so pleased to be able to contribute to the early development of this important facility,” said Steve Zika, CEO of Hampton Lumber. “We take great pride in being part of the Burns Lake community and understand how important it is for youth have access convenient and culturally relevant health resources and support.”

Coastal Gas provided $5000 to the initiative that was used to engage youth in creative ways such as a volleyball camp in Burns Lake. Michaels Canada provided $2000 in recognition of the Foundry capital campaign.

CSFS was chosen as the service provider for Foundry Burns Lake and is overseeing the facility development project with extensive consultation with community. “We believe that Foundry, as a network of community-based health and social services for young people, is well suited to the unique geographic, economic and demographic needs of Burns Lake – and we are thrilled to be building this new facility to help the young people of this region thrive,” said CSFS Board President and Chief of Cheslatta Carrier Nation Corrina Leween. “I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable partnerships that have supported this work – including School District 91, MCFD, Northern Health, the Village of Burns Lake and Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Skin Tyee Nation, Burns Lake Band and Lake Babine Nation.” 

In keeping with the vision of co-creation of services with community, design planning and early ground works under the guidance of Sahuri and Partners Architecture Inc. is beginning with stakeholders including youth, parents and service providers this fall. The public will also be notified when a date is set for official ground breaking in 2023. 

Foundry Burns Lake will provide all youth, aged 12-24, along with their families, free and confidential age-friendly, culturally relevant and supportive, wellness and substance-use service for their unique needs.

Youth struggle with many factors in today’s society, if we are to stay true to our promises to make youth our future leaders, then we must create the space to promote their wellbeing and positive growth.  We hope that community will provide the support and stability for this environment.

Contact Person:

CSFS Communications: 778-349-1676  
Email: communications@csfs.org 

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