Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Chief Peter Beatty says that families who lost their homes to wildfire in Denare Beach will soon be able to return to new houses. “They’ll be able to get back into their community and, you know, try and start over again because they lost everything when that fire went through,” said Beatty. The first of 24 new houses was shipped from Prince Albert to Denare Beach on Wednesday. The PBCN community in Denare Beach lost most of its 30 houses last summer to wildfire and is now rebuilding. The new homes, 18 of which are completed, are sitting at the Lake Country Co-op lot north of Prince Albert. Brett Pisio, the co-op’s director of home and building solutions, said he’s seen excitement from some of the Denare Beach residents. “A lot of people have shown up here to tour their house,” said Pisio. “To see that pride or that joy to see their future house. It means a lot to our team, our subtrades. It’s exciting for everybody.” The Lake Country Co-op began working on the houses in late-fall 2025. Some of the new houses are wheelchair accessible, with lower countertops and accessible bathrooms. Pisio said that the goal is to transport two houses weekly, depending on weather conditions. The appliances will be installed once the houses are in place and electrical and plumbing still need to be set up before the homes are move-in-ready. Some community members haven’t been able to stay in Denare Beach while the rebuild is ongoing. “A lot of them have lived there their whole lives,” explained Chief Beatty. “To be out of the community, for one thing, it’s traumatic, on top of losing everything else.” Beatty said he hopes to have the homes ready for residents to return this summer.
