A former paintball facility in Edmonton's Chinatown has undergone a profound transformation, reopening its doors on Monday, December 15, 2025, as the King Thunderbird Centre, a beacon of hope and support for the city's homeless population.
From Concrete Shell to Community Heart
Four years ago, Jordan Reiniger, executive director of Boyle Street Community Services, stood in what he described as a cold, unwelcoming concrete shell. The walls, splattered with exploded paint pellets, resembled a chaotic abstract painting. Yet, alongside Indigenous leaders, he envisioned a future where this space would offer warmth, community, and critical support for Edmonton's most vulnerable residents.
That vision is now a vibrant reality. The newly opened centre, known in Cree as okimaw peyesew kamik, is a stark contrast to its former self. The brutalist structure has been flooded with natural light, featuring colourful Indigenous art and an open, airy atrium that stretches through three storeys. It now serves as the new home for Boyle Street Community Services, replacing their previous location in an old banana-ripening warehouse.
A Building of Possibility and Compassion
At the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, Reiniger emphasized the centre's symbolic power. "This building is also a story about what's possible," he stated. In a climate where people experiencing homelessness are often stigmatized, the King Thunderbird Centre sends a powerful counter-message of dignity and belonging.
"It says to every person who walks in these doors that not only do you deserve to have one of the city's most beautiful buildings, but that a community of people, hundreds and hundreds of people from all walks of life, rallied to make it so," Reiniger added.
The centre is designed to be a holistic support hub, offering:
- Services for those recovering from addiction.
- A sense of community and connection to combat isolation.
- Compassionate, culturally grounded supports rooted in Indigenous teachings and healing practices.
Broad Support and a Lasting Impact
The ambitious $31 million project received crucial financial backing from multiple levels. The federal government contributed $21 million, championed by former Liberal cabinet minister Randy Boissonnault. An additional $10 million came from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.
Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack acknowledged the advocacy of his predecessor, Amarjeet Sohi, and praised the centre's potential. "By bringing people together under one roof, King Thunderbird Centre offers stability where there had been uncertainty, and connection where there had been isolation," Knack said. He confidently declared, "This building will change lives."
Greg Desjarlais, Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, highlighted the centre's role in bridging cultural divides while providing essential aid, calling it a source of "hope for our people."
The opening of the King Thunderbird Centre marks a significant shift in Edmonton's approach to homelessness, prioritizing beauty, cultural safety, and comprehensive care in a purpose-built space designed to heal and empower.
