New WCA building officially open for business

A large crowd gathered at the Wrangell Cooperative Association's new building last Friday, Aug. 30. The building, located at 1002 Zimovia Highway, is the new home for the WCA after their move from downtown Wrangell. Two stories tall, the new building offers much more room for the cooperative association to work in. With formline artwork by Steve Brown on the panelling, the building draws attention from people going down the highway.

Construction of the building began in April of 2018, according to WCA Transportation Manager Bill Willard. Tribal Administrator Esther Ashton said that the idea for a new building was really Willard's idea in the first place. Willard said that he kept the vision of the idea alive, but would not take credit for the whole project.

"I had the vision, I kept it alive, but there was a lot of people that were involved in putting this together," he said.

Construction was mostly completed last December, according to Ashton.

The grand opening ceremony began with a song and dance led by Wrangell's JOM dancers, as well as a prayer and dedication led by Virginia Oliver. Staff and many past and present board members of the cooperative association were in attendance and spoke.

The whole project took hard work from many different people and organizations, Ashton said. Among the people and groups specifically mentioned for their hard work include Willard, Lizzy Romane with the transportation department, NorthWind Architects, former Highways Administration Tribal Coordinator Paul Rettinger, and numerous local volunteers and businesses.

"The difficulties and the hurdles that I know you guys overcame is now embodied in this building, and everyone that was involved is embodied in this building," Rettinger said, "So from me, to all of you, gunalchéesh. Thank you."