Kikinow Elders Lodge: Delivering a Complex Build in a Remote Setting

Executive Summary

Scott Builders delivered the 12-unit Kikinow Elders Lodge in the Victor Lake Co-op, near Grande Cache, Alberta, in a complex environment that included a remote mountain site, limited access, and expanded infrastructure requirements.

Through disciplined coordination and adaptability, the team completed an award-winning facility that met the client’s vision.

Despite evolving scope and schedule changes, the client relationship remained strong. The Evergreens Foundation has since awarded additional projects to Scott Builders, demonstrating confidence in both the process and the outcome.

A Lodge Designed for Community and Culture

The Kikinow Elders Lodge was developed by the Evergreens Foundation to address a clear need: culturally appropriate housing that allows Indigenous elders to remain connected to their community and way of life.

Rather than a conventional seniors facility, the lodge was designed as a shared space. It includes areas for gathering, ceremonies, and daily interaction that support both residents and the broader community.

Delivering on that vision required close coordination across the client, other project partners, and tradespeople working in a remote setting. The combination of cultural priorities, design requirements, and site conditions shaped how the remote construction project took shape.

Challenges of Building in a Remote Alberta Location

This project came with a wide range of logistical, technical, and coordination challenges. It started with the site itself.

Limited site access and mountain terrain

The Kikinow Elders Lodge is situated about two kilometres outside Grande Cache, a co-op with limited services located more than four hours from Edmonton by road. Labour, materials, and crews had to travel several hours to reach the site. If something was missed or delayed, it wasn’t easy to fix.

Access added another layer of complexity. The road, constructed as part of the project, ran through steep terrain and was heavily affected by water runoff from the surrounding area. Early on, this created unstable conditions. At times, deliveries had to be staged and moved in smaller loads to reach the site safely.

No existing infrastructure

There were no existing services at the site. As the project moved forward, Scott Builders took on the added work of bringing water and sanitary services roughly two kilometres from town. This meant working through rocky ground, managing elevation changes, and installing systems to control the pressure of water coming down the mountain.

Complex, non-traditional building design

The building itself introduced another level of complexity. Its semi-circular design centered the building around shared space. It also meant there were no 90-degree corners. Millwork, mechanical systems, and other elements had to be adapted to fit the layout.

A central teepee-inspired feature added further constraints: With multiple structural elements extending through the flat roof, the team worked closely with consultants to develop solutions that would stand up over time.

High volume of changes and coordination

The project also involved a high number of modifications, including more than 100 change orders and nearly 200 formal requests to clarify design and construction details.

Consistent documentation, clear communication, and regular coordination made sure everyone was on the same page.

Managing a Complex Remote Construction Project

Scott Builders focused on keeping the project on pace despite the complexities.

Maintaining site access and construction progress

Early in the project, the team focused on getting the access road in place. When that became more difficult than expected, they adjusted their approach to keep materials flowing and avoid extended delays.

Crews worked on a rotation from the start, cycling in and out due to the two- to five-hour travel time to site. During peak periods, they switched to seven-day work weeks to keep progress steady.

Expanding scope to support project success

Bringing water and sanitary services to the site involved installing infrastructure over a two-kilometre stretch, including rock excavation and elevation challenges. Taking this on simplified things for the client and helped keep the project on track.

Real-time coordination across teams

The team used digital tools to share updates in real time, ensuring people on site were always working from current information. Regular coordination meetings also helped prevent miscommunication and reduce rework.

Adapting to design challenges on site

Some parts of the design had to be worked out on site. The team worked closely with partners to problem-solve as issues came up, especially around more complex features like the central teepee structure.

Award-winning Results and Ongoing Partnership

The Kikinow Elders Lodge was recognized by the Red Deer Construction Association (RDCA) with the award for Best Project Over $7.5M, an acknowledgement from industry peers of the complexity involved and how it was managed.

Throughout the project, the relationship with the Evergreens Foundation remained steady:

“As a repeat client, we value transparency, problem-solving, and trust — all of which were consistently

demonstrated throughout this project. Even under difficult circumstances, communication remained professional and solutions-oriented, allowing informed decisions to be made collaboratively.”
Kristen Chambers, CAO, The Evergreens Foundation

The foundation has since awarded additional work to Scott Builders, reinforcing the strength of the partnership.

Building in Remote Conditions Without Compromise

This remote construction project reflects Scott Builders’ ability to manage complex builds with changing scope, multiple stakeholders, and unique design requirements.

It shows a consistent approach: clear communication, practical problem-solving, and a focus on delivering a quality result, even when the path isn’t straightforward.

Looking for a team you can rely on from start to finish? Let’s talk.