The newly opened fish processing plant in Ile-a-la-Crosse. Photo by Abel Charles.
Community and business leaders in Ile-a-la-Crosse are expecting the newly opened fish processing plant to create an economic boost in their community.
The plant officially opened its doors Tuesday morning to the public. It will allow fishers in the area the chance to clean and process their fish locally.
Before the processing plant opened, the Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company would just receive the fish and ship it off to Winnipeg. This plant gives them the capability to clean, process and package a fish before delivering it straight to the store.
The fish processed at the plant have the chance to be sold to a world-wide market.
Instead of a ribbon cutting the fish company celebrated the momentous occasion with a fish filleting ceremony. Photo by Abel Charles
The Ile-a-la-Crosse Fish Company has been working toward the plant for the past five years, with construction officially beginning in summer 2016. The facility will be operated by the fish company and construction was mostly funded through Western Diversification and the Sakitawak Development Corporation.
As part of the grand opening, members of the community were allowed to tour the new facility. The plant won’t officially begin taking in fish until the lakes freeze over.
The facilities project manager says they will be expecting fish not only from Ile-a-la-Crosse, but from all over the region.
“We get fish from all over,” said Earl Kenny, project manager. “We actually have two other plants working side-by-side in Turner Lake and Patuanak, delivering fish to Ile-a-la-Crosse.”
Local leaders are expecting the plant to bring significant economic benefits to the community and are hoping the plant will create a renewed interest in the commercial fishing industry. Last year, 105 fishers were licensed under the local fish company. They are hoping to see a rise in that number.