Submitted Photo The new Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation’s Administration Headquarters in the Four Bears Complex, west of New Town, replaces a building constructed in the early 1970s. The new headquarters will serve as the capitol building of the MHA Nation and a government support wing for a future federal agency.

NEW TOWN – The grand opening of the new Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation’s Administration Headquarters, west of New Town, will be Thursday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting about noon.

The event is open to everyone. Tours and lunch will be provided following the ribbon cutting.

The state-of-the-art facility, built in the West Complex of 4 Bears Park and overlooking Lake Sakakawea, will serve as the new capitol building for the MHA Nation and a 17,500-square-foot government support wing for a future federal agency.

The Three Affiliated Tribes carry out its sovereign responsibility of governance of the reservation and its enrolled members, and as a government entity, administers many governmental, economic, health, welfare and educational programs. Construction of the support wing is to improve relationships with the federal government to further aid in self-government and economic prosperity.

“This is a building that represents the cultural significance of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people, with many features of art and design from our very own enrolled artists,” said Mark Fox, chairman of the MHA Nation.

The 47,000-square -foot administration building is served with a geothermal heat pump system and has a dedicated outdoor air system to provide fresh air to occupants, maintaining a healthy indoor environment. The building utilizes LED lighting with daylight harvesting, occupancy sensing and dimming controls, which provides a 50% energy savings over required energy controls. The entire building has backup power provided by a 750 kVA, diesel generator with enough fuel on site to power the building for a minimum of 48 hours, as well as 3,000-square-feet of electric snow melt.