Maskwacis Growth Centre – Building More Than Walls, Creating Community Sanctuary

Project Overview

Imagine this: It's -40°C on the Alberta prairie, with icy winds tearing across the highway. Despite the harsh conditions, a community member tends to a sacred fire—a tradition upheld, no matter the weather. This powerful moment moved the Scott Builders team, working nearby on the Maskwacis Growth Centre, to go beyond the expectations of their contract.

The 4,000 sq. ft. mobile health clinic and counseling center represents far more than its $2.4M design-build contract. It's a sanctuary where families facing their darkest moments—dealing with loss, addiction, and trauma—can find support and healing. Completed between June 2022 and June 2023, this project exemplifies what happens when construction becomes an act of partnership, respect, and genuine care for the community.

The Challenges

Working in Maskwacis required an understanding that this was not only another building project—it was creating a safe space for a community experiencing profound challenges.

Creating Dignified Sanctuary: The facility needed to serve families accessing mental health and addiction counseling. "These are the guys that go into people's homes and sit with families that have lost loved ones," Tjepkema notes. "They deal with a lot of situations that require absolute privacy and respect."

Honouring Cultural Traditions: Every design decision reflects Indigenous values and traditions, from building orientation to spatial relationships that connect with cultural practices.

Building Trust as Outsiders: Earning the trust of a tight-knit community with reasons to be cautious working with outside contractors required the team to prioritize respect and understanding.

Witnessing Community Struggle: Witnessing fire-keepers maintain their sacred traditions while experiencing brutal weather conditions sparked a deeper realization about what being in relationship with community means.

The Solution

Scott Builders approached every challenge with humility and a commitment to going beyond contractual obligations.

Designing with Cultural Reverence

The team worked closely with Elders to ensure every element honoured tradition. Doors were positioned to face due south—a critical cultural requirement. The circular training center, complete with expansive skylights, creates a connection between indoor learning and the natural world, reflecting First Nations values of openness and light.

Ensuring Privacy and Dignity

Understanding the sensitive nature of the services provided, Scott Builders incorporated thoughtful privacy features:

• High STC-rated offices provide complete soundproofing for confidential counseling sessions
• Strategic berms and privacy fencing protect visitors from outside view
• Secure staff areas with washrooms and locker facilities ensure comfort for healthcare workers

Going Beyond: The Sacred Fire Gazebo

The defining moment came when the construction team realized the contrast between their warm job trailer and community members braving harsh conditions to tend the sacred fire. "There's a community member sitting out there in minus 40 with the wind whipping across the highway trying to keep a fire going," Tjepkema recalls.

Through Scott Builders' community giving program, the team donated an eight-sided gazebo with wind protection, concrete benches, and a fire pit.

Embracing Community Partnership

Scott Builders employed the local Samson Cree security company to watch the site, creating employment opportunities and building trust on both sides.

Project Success Metric

100% SAFETY EXCELLENCE
Zero incidents throughout construction despite complex site conditions

100% COMMUNITY EMBRACE
Entire community attended grand opening celebration ceremony

ZERO SECURITY ISSUES
No vandalism or theft attributed to reciprocity and respect

Transformational Impact

The Maskwacis Growth Centre now serves as a fully functional healthcare sanctuary where families can access mobile health services and counseling with privacy and dignity. But the impact extends far beyond the building itself.

The sacred fire gazebo has become a cherished community gathering place. "Basically, anytime somebody passes away in the community, they burn a flame for a number of days," Tjepkema explains. "That fire has to keep burning and be attended by someone. Now they can maintain this sacred tradition in comfort and safety, year-round."

The grand opening celebration brought the entire community together in a powerful ceremony mirroring the respectful approach taken throughout construction. "It was just incredible to be welcomed into the culture out there," reflects Tjepkema. "One hundred percent safe the entire time—it was a great experience."

Key Takeaway

The Maskwacis Growth Centre demonstrates that exceptional construction goes beyond technical expertise—it requires emotional intelligence, humility, and genuine care for the people using these spaces long after the last nail is driven.

When builders take time to truly understand community needs, listen to cultural requirements, and respond with generosity rather than just compliance, they don't just build structures—they build trust and relationships, creating lasting impact on both sides.

The moment Scott Builders' team saw fire-keepers struggling in harsh weather and chose to act with their hearts, not just their contracts, the team deepened their understanding of what it means to be working in community.

Ready to build something meaningful? Contact Scott Builders to discover how technical excellence and genuine community care can bring your vision to life—and create impact that extends far beyond the building itself.