MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw and Peepeekisis First Nation officially celebrated their new partnership with a special ceremony at the Events Centre that included the unveiling of the venue’s new logo.
The parties met in the Founders’ Lounge on March 11 to celebrate the fact that Peepeekisis — through its economic arm, Peepeekisis Developments Ltd. (PDL), which owns the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Hotel — was the new naming rights sponsor for the venue, which is now known as the Temple Gardens Centre.
In attendance at the ceremony were members of city council, the reserve’s band council, PDL officials, other First Nation groups, and community and provincial dignitaries.
Craig Hemingway, the city’s director of strategic growth and event MC, said the community’s reaction online to the new building name had been “overwhelmingly positive” and “really heartening” after the city announced it during the council meeting.
Speaking next, Mayor James Murdock — after accidentally, but humorously, referring to the building as the “Temple Gardens Mineral Centre” — explained that the spa’s name has been connected to entertainment and tourism in the downtown for over a century. Now, thanks to PDL, that historical link will continue.
However, the mayor said this development is also about Moose Jaw’s future, the new relationship “with our Peepeekisis friends,” and how this partnership will likely grow stronger.
“As the city continues on our path towards reconciliation, we are committed to foregoing mutually beneficial partnerships, and this … naming rights is just one example of what can be accomplished through meaningful, authentic, relationship-building,” Murdock added.
Frank Dieter, the chief of Peepeekisis, said his reserve began its journey into the world of hotel acquisitions about three years ago, after learning that the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Hotel was for sale.
Since he knew nothing about the hospitality industry, he contacted a knowledgeable friend who connected him with the right people. That led to and , with those upgrades to conclude this April.
“Our next goal is to own the casino (since) we do have the funds to actually buy Casino Moose Jaw (and expand it),” Dieter said, noting Peepeekisis was in discussions with the province about a possible purchase before the October 2024 election shut down those conversations.
The chief added that PDL is looking at other opportunities in Moose Jaw, such as giving bison to the New Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Plains Métis Local 160 to house in Wakamow Valley.
Following speeches, a short video played, which ended with the new Temple Gardens Centre logo flashing on screen.
Afterward, Murdock told media that it was “a great day for the city” and that residents — especially Warriors’ fans — should be pleased with what the two councils achieved through “good conversation.”
The mayor agreed that it was good to have a naming rights agreement after nearly three years without one. Meanwhile, he noted that the partnership came together quickly — in just under two months — because of Peepeekisis’ eagerness to further its connections with the community.
“As Chief Frank said, they’re (now) Moose Javians,” Murdock said.
While there was no urgency to find a partner for the Events Centre, the mayor pointed out that the upcoming Men’s World Curling Championship — featuring 13 countries — provided the opportunity to rebrand the venue to Temple Gardens Centre since it would receive attention provincially, nationally and internationally.
“Timing’s everything,” Murdock added.
Dieter said his team thought it would be nice for the hotel to sponsor the Events Centre and have the reserve’s flag displayed either on the building or in the arena. This, he added, was “a way of showing that reconciliation like we talked about.”
Murdock and Dieter, accompanied by their councils, later dropped a puck before the start of the
