The coming year is already looking good for Naut’sa mawt Resources Group and its First Nation project partners. In the following article, NRG president Robert Duncan highlights some of the interesting and challenging projects that lie ahead.

Happy New Year everybody. It seems kind of late to be saying that, but it is a new year and I for one am looking forward to ‘08.

As we begin the New Year, we start with a couple of new projects, which, combined with our existing ones, will definitely keep us busy this year.

At Snuneymuxw, we continue to work on the store/office project that has had its share of starts and stops. It’s just one of those things that can and will happen on many a project. We are hopeful that we can sort out some of the issues on that project within the next few weeks. The primary concern is a sufficient equity contribution in order to secure conventional financing for project - an issue many First Nations face, as they look to participate in economic opportunities.
Our newest project is somewhat similar in nature. Tsleil- Waututh has engaged NRG to provide project management services for a new administration building. It will house all its administration offices as well as other First Nation organizations. In addition to a new administration facility, we are also expecting the new building to incorporate a proper council chamber, as the existing facilities do not have one.

The site selection process was the first step in moving this project to its current stage. Then NRG and Tsleil-Waututh executed a ‘Letter of Intent’ once we (NRG) had completed certain tasks at the front end of the project (at no cost to the Nation.) The LOI sets out that the next step in that process is to roll into a project management role on behalf of the TWFN.

Our initial tasks will be to undertake a space-planning exercise with TWFN staff and chief and council. NRG’s Cheryl Williams will be working closely with Tsleil-Waututh and the architect on this part of the project.

Once we have gathered the necessary information to form a concept plan for the facility, we will go back to the staff, chief and council and the community at large to solicit feedback on the plan and revise as necessary. Getting it right, on paper, is always a good thing to do. If changes occur on a project, you always want them to be made while you are still at the paper stage, not when you’re in the ground with the project, where changes become costly… those dreaded ’change orders’, contractors love them for sure.

These are, of course, all elements of developing a project. Good planning and communication between all parties at the front end will ensure that any and all issues are dealt with in a fair and open manner. They will also generate additional support for the project in the long run.

This project, because of its location, will also require construction of an access road and possibly a bridge or two. These additions will complement the comprehensive community planning process in which the Nation is involved. Again, planning for future expansion of the residential development and tying this project into future uses make ultimate sense.

This site will require other necessary services such as water, sewer and other utilities to be brought in. This should be done in such a way that future development in the community could benefit from such services.

This will be a significant project for the Tsleil-Waututh, as well as NRG, and we are ready, able and excited to undertake such a project.

MARKETING A CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

NRG’s second and most recent project is quite a bit different as it involves marketing. We have been contracted by the Campbell River Indian Band to provide marketing services for the new Weiwaikum cruise ship terminal in Campbell River.

As some may recall, Campbell River was once home for me, so I am very familiar with this project. I was very much a part of the initial planning to develop Campbell River as a port-ofcall for the cruise industry only a few years ago.

Now I have begun in earnest on this project and will have a very aggressive travel schedule for the next few months. Most of the industry contacts are located in the United States. Royal Caribbean (Celebrity), Norwegian and Carnival are all located in Florida while Holland America, Princess Cruises, Crystal, Cruise West and others are located in Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco.

This industry is all about building relationships. No matter whom you are dealing with, if you can’t build relationships very well, there will be challenges. Prior to 9/11, this industry did most of its itinerary planning 18 to 24 months out, which simply means their ports-of-call would be determined almost two years ahead of time. This changed after 9/11 but only for a short period. It is now back to the longer time window for determining future ports-of-call.

Last year the Weiwaikum termini saw its first port call with the Regents Seven Seas Mariner a 700-passenger vessel. The Mariner is scheduled for four port calls for the 2008 season. Our focus is to secure port calls from the Mariner as well as others including the larger 2,000 passenger) ships for 2009 and beyond. This means demonstrating to the industry that Campbell River can provide a good experience for their customers and that the port call there can be an economic success for all of the parties involved.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IS THE KEY

As we move forward with these and other projects, NRG always develops a strategic plan that is our guide as we move through various stages of the project.
Strategic planning simply means that we identify all of the issues that need to be dealt with, who undertakes the tasks and the timeframe to compete certain elements of the project. Of course, the all-important element is determining costs as early in the process as possible.

Good planning will make the task of managing a project that much easier. Having said that, we also need to factor unexpected elements into any project How you deal with them is just as or more important than good planning for the expected issues.

That’s all for now. 0-8 will be great!

Cheers,
Robert Duncan,
NRG President