Aquilinis Partner with First Nations in Land Deal

The Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations announced this week they have partnered with the developer Aquilini Investment Group in the purchase and development of Burnaby’s Willingdon Lands.

“What I’m hoping to provide are economic benefits for the future,” said Tsleil-Waututh Chief Maureen Thomas. “We’re buying land that was originally ours to start with,” she added. “We don’t want to miss these opportunities.”

Brennan Cook, spokesman for the Aquilini Investment Group, said, “We look at our partnerships with First Nations as very valuable.”

So far there are no plans for the site, which includes 40 acres between Brentwood and Metrotown, directly adjacent to BCIT.

“It’s a prime site,” said Cook. “There’s lots of opportunity.”

The province announced two weeks ago that the Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam had bought the property at Willingdon and Canada Way for $57.9 million, but didn’t mention the involvement of the Aquilini Group at the time.

Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/aquilinis-partner-with-first-nations-in-land-deal-1.951298