The Chief Chiniki Restaurant is closed and a sign on the door hints at exciting things to come, stating a new Chiniki Cultural Centre will open this summer.
Despite the sign being posted last month, the announcement is premature according to Chiniki officials.
While the administration did not know the official reason for the restaurant closure, Favour Simoongew with the Chiniki First Nation administration said from “the inception they were always supposed to include a cultural centre.”
The original restaurant burned down in August 2012 due to arson, four people including three minors were charged after a lengthy investigation.
Three years later, the 6,000 sq. ft. centre officially opened in October 2015 as the Chiniki Restaurant.
Now, less than a year and a half after re-opening, the doors are shut again – pending the next step.
“The chief and council during the first build had a slightly different vision … the plans keep changing,” Simoongew said.
“Right now, we are still in a feasibility study stage and the option of replacing the restaurant is there.”
The managers of the restaurant could not be reached for comment.
