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Economic

Suncor is Committed to a New Water Research Center

Suncor is partnering with a number of other companies in order to build a new technology development center close to Fort MacMurray, and the new center will be located at the Suncor Firebag site. All of the companies involved have committed to spending $165 million in order to develop and build this new structure and it will be used for research. In addition to Suncor 5 other companies have joined in on the venture. The project is a joint industry project being overseen by the Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance. One of the goals of the new water research center near Fort MacMurray is to test water treatment methods and technology, and to develop water recycling technologies and refine these.

According to the chief executive for COSIA, Dan Wickum, “This is a very large, very meaningful project that could only be done collaboratively, and it is the first bricks-and-mortar project that is done under the auspices of COSIA. The concept of having the (centre) right on site and being essentially integrated into an existing plant is novel. The technical folks are really excited about this.” The new center is expected to starting water testing at some point early in the 2017. Kelli Stevens, the spokesperson for Suncor, stated “Building the WTDC as a dedicated facility means that we can speed up how quickly we can develop and commercialize new ideas for SAGD. WTDC should overcome some of the barriers that often would be present when you don’t have dedicated test facilities.” Other project partners include Husky Oil Operations Ltd., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Shell Canada Energy, Nexen Energy ULC, and Devon Canada Corp.

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Ft Mac

Fort MacMurray Climate and Geography Facts

There are many interesting climate and geography facts about Fort MacMurray that you may not know about. This area is located in boreal forest land, and it is situated where the Clearwater River and the Athabasca River come together. Fort MacMurray sits a little over 1,200 feet above sea level, and it is the biggest community out of all the communities which make up the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Native trees which grow naturally in the region include the White Birch, White Spruce, Balsam Poplar, and Trembling Aspen. Other local tree species include Jack Pine, Sand Cherry, Black Spruce, Blue Spruce, Tamarack, and European Aspen are also found in some areas of Fort MacMurray. The trees seen will depend on the natural environment and the soil types and drainage amounts.

The climate of Fort MacMurray can be difficult to live in at times for some people. The summers in the region are very short and warm, while the winters are very cold and very long. The average temperature in the winter is almost -2 degrees Fahrenheit. In the warmest months of the summer, July and August, the average temperature is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity can be high at times, especially during the warmer months, and this can make it seem warmer than it actually is at times.  In spite of the fact that the climate in Fort MacMurray is not ideal the area has seen a big boom in the last decade or so.

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Ft Mac

9 Hotels in the Fort MacMurray Area

1. One of the most popular hotels in the Fort MacMurray area is the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fort McMurray. Rooms can be found for as low as $118 a night in some cases.

2. The Vantage Inn and Suites is another favorite for those who visit Fort MacMurray. There may be rooms for a little over $130 a night at this establishment.

3. Staying at the Quality Hotel & Conference Center will cost a little more, starting at around $169, but this is a top spot for business travelers.

4. Spending the night at the Super 8 Motel Fort McMurray could set you back $130 or more, but this local hotel has received a number of good ratings.

5. Many people recommend the Sawridge Inn Fort McMurray, and this lodging spot may be considered a very affordable pick at around $120 to start per night.

6. Rates for the Podollan Inn Fort McMurray start at under $160 for each night, and the hotel offers a number of amenities that are enjoyed.

7. Nomad Inn And Suites is one of the top 10 hotels in Fort MacMurray, and with rooms that start at around $139 it may be considered one of the more economical choices as well.

8. You could lodge at the Merit Hotel & Suites for less than $150 not including tax and any additional fees in some cases.

9. The Franklin Suite Hotel is in the mid range for prices, with a room running around $157 at times.

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Ft Mac

What is the Night Life in Fort MacMurray Like?

The night life in Fort MacMurray has plenty to offer no matter what type of party, entertainment, club, or pub you are looking for. When the sun goes down things really start to heat up, and there is plenty to see and do for almost all ages and preferences. Podollan Pub on Franklin Ave. is a great spot to toss back a few, enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, and possibly grab a bite to eat. The Wood Buffalo Brewing Company is another top favorite in Fort MacMurray for visitors and residents both. This establishment offers exceptional beer selections and good food, just be prepared to wait a little for service if there are large crowds. The environment at the  Wood Buffalo Brewing Company is fun and exciting.

There are many places to enjoy the night life in Fort MacMurray. If you are looking for adult entertainment then you may want to stop by Showgirls Exotic Nighclub, one of the top strip clubs in the area. This is much more than just a gentleman’s club though, many young men and even women come to this club to party hard and have some fun. Alexander’s Lounge is another popular hotspot for anyone who wants good food, good drinks, and a great time. Paddy McSwiggins is another Fort MacMurray bar and eatery that receives high marks from customers and regulars. There is also Bailey’s Pub, the Oil Can, Brewbakers Pub, Live Bar and Grill, and Longshots among others. The wide variety of options for night life in Fort MacMurray is refreshing for such a remote place.

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Ft Mac World

Fascinating Facts About the Cree

  • The Cree language is still widely spoken today, and it is one of the few First Nations languages that has not started to die out or is considered at risk in any way.
  • The Cree still have populations in much of Canada and even some of the USA.
  • The Cree call white men “whem-stook-ooshoo”, and this means from the wooden island when roughly translated. It is believed that this is the name used because the Europeans arrived in wooden boats and ships.
  • As one of the 3 largest tribes still thriving in North America the Cree population numbers may be surprising. It is estimated that more than 200,000 Cree are still living today.
  • The Metis people in Canada are descendants of Cree and the French Canadian explorers who visited the area. The estimated population of Metis people today is over 100,000.
  • Cree may be referred to as Woodland Cree or Plains Cree, but this does not designate two different tribes. These names were started by English explorers and refers to how the native population lived. Plains Cree are simply Cree that live in the prairie regions, especially those in the Alberta and Manitoba regions. The Woodland Cree were named because they prefer the woodland areas further north. Both types of Cree follow the same customs and speak the same language, they just live in different environments.
  • Woodland Cree utilized birch bark to build homes while Plains Cree used the hide of buffalo in order to create teepees used for living.
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Ft Mac

Who Was Peter Pond?

Peter Pond was an important individual for Fort MacMurray in the past, but who was he? Peter Pond was born on January 18, 1739 in Milford, Connecticut. During his life Pond was a regiment soldier for Connecticut, an explorer, a fur trader and trapper, and one of the founders of the Beaver Club and the North West Company. Peter Pond also gained recognition as a cartographer as well. One of the maps created by Peter was submitted to the Congress of the USA in 1785, after he had spent many years exploring and searching for furs to trade. Starting in Detroit, Michigan Peter Pond worked with his father to gather pelts and then trade them. Eventually Pond partnered with Alexander Henry ,Simon McTavish and the Frobisher brothers Thomas, Benjamin, and Joseph. The result was the North West Company.

From 1776 to 1778 Peter Pond explored the Great Lakes and Alberta areas, and in 1783 he discovered the Athabasca which stretched from the Peace River to Lac Île-à-la-Crosse. The adventurer spent several years exploring the Lake Athabasca waterways. Pond charted the Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake, both of which were very important to the native Cree people in the Fort MacMurray area. In the notes made by Peter Pond and teh diaries that he kept it is possible to trace his explorations. Fort Chipewyan, Alberta was founded by Peter Pond, and he was the explorer who led the very first people of European descent to see the Athabasca oil sands.