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Ft Mac

Wood Buffalo Offered Plenty of Culture in Recent Days

Wood Buffalo, culture
Wood Buffalo, culture

Recently Wood Buffalo has had plenty of culture to offer to residents, thanks to Culture Days. There were more than 17 cultural events held in a 5 day period, giving visitors and residents both plenty of artistic activities and items to choose from. The Wood Buffalo Alberta Culture Days was held from September 24 through September 28, and many people attended at least one of the activities that were offered during this time. According to Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s cultural coordinator Theresa Joliffe “Alberta Culture Days brings together all of our cultural community groups, including arts groups, dance groups, multicultural groups… over one weekend and they produce free events for our community,.They’ve been working together since the beginning of March, here, to come up with various events to showcase the talent within our community, it’s pretty amazing.”

Some of the recent culture events in Wood Buffalo included the Dance Till Dark music and dance celebration, the MacDonald Island Park Handcrafts Fair, and the showcase for dance called The World Meets in Wood Buffalo. Theresa Joliffe talked about the importance of culture exposure, saying “I think it might open somebody’s eye, give them an option to try new things that they may have never tried before, and look into other opportunities to get involved in these events… or community groups. I think it’s really great that they make everything accessible so that community people can really try something new.” Participants could also take advantage of events like Come to the Caberet, the Nicely Put Together Band, Identity Day, and many others.

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Ft Mac Health

Upgrades to Rural Water and Sewer Systems Come With Options for Payment as Well

system upgrades, city council
system upgrades, city council

Rural residents in Wood Buffalo will get to choose from various payment options for system upgrades thanks to votes by the city council. Since residents who benefit from the water and sewer system upgrades will have to foot 10% of the total cost the city council has decided to offer various payment options in order to meet different resident needs. When the council met on September 23 they voted on using various payment options, and this will help to secure the roughly $16,000 that is needed for pipe upgrades. Residents who own property in Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, and Conklin will have a Local Improvement Tax assessed that the property owners will be subject to. Residents in Janvier and in Draper Road will be able to contract directly with city officials for any system upgrades desired.

The system upgrades being considered are necessary for the infrastucture, and the city council voted for the different payment options to ensure that all residents could choose the best option for their situation and circumstances. According to Allan Vinni, who is the councilor for Ward 3, “This is an awesome deal for every rural resident. It’s a lot of money… to say, let’s have everybody pay 10% of the average, that has an element of fairness to it.” The system upgrades were approved in July, and they will provide extensions that allow full pressure water systems and gravity sewer systems to some of the neighborhoods and areas involved. The other areas covered under the project will get trickle fill sewer systems and low pressure water systems.

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Alberta Ft Mac

Fort McMurray Safety Tips for Visitors

  • Fort McMurray safety tips include the warning to always be aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant. Pay attention to what is going on around you and use common sense. If you are in an area or situation that makes you uneasy or uncomfortable then remove yourself.
  • Be prepared for slow driving on Highway 63. This is the road that the trucks use to haul equipment for the oil companies, and this can frequently take up both lanes of the highway. Drive cautiously and keep an eye on the traffic in front of you. Never try to pass on this highway unless you are in one of the few places where this is allowed.
  • If you visit during the colder months than there are many Fort McMurray safety tips you may be able to use. The winters in Alberta and the Fort MacMurray area can be bitter and brutal, so make sure you are dressed appropriately and your vehicle has been winterized. Breaking down in a remote area during the winter months could be fatal in some cases.
  • Be on the lookout for crime and for unsavory individuals. Fort McMurray is a relatively safe place but it is also a boom town that attracts all types. The growth of the town has provided an opportunity for some criminals and scam artists. Be wary of anyone who is trying to sell you anything, and anyone who seems to be suspicious. This will help you avoid being the victim of a crime while you are in Fort McMurray.
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Alberta Ft Mac

Fort McMurray Lodging to Fit Any Budget

Fort McMurray lodging can be found that can fit into any budget, whether you are trying to go on the cheap or you want to splurge and enjoy some luxury and added amenities. Whether you are in the area for business, pleasure, or both you will find lodging options that are a perfect fit.

Budget Choices in Fort McMurray

If you are trying to keep costs as low as possible then you will want budget Fort McMurray lodging, and you have numerous places to choose from. The McMurray Inn is known for comfortable accommodations and reasonable prices to fit even smaller budgets. The Twin Pine Motor Inn is also popular with those who have a smaller budget and fewer needs. You can also check out the Ridgewood Inn and the Oil Sands Hotel if you need a cheap place to lay your head.

Hotels With Mid Range Prices

For mid range Fort McMurray lodging you can choose from the Merit Hotel, the Radisson Hotel, the Vantage Hotel, or Podollan Inns to name a few of your choices. These are lodgings that will cost more but you will get additional amenities and luxuries as a result.

Upscale Lodgings in Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray lodging that is upscale and luxurious is also available if you are willing to pay for it. Bridgeport Inn is a great pick if you want comfort and the ultimate in luxury. The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre is a nice play to stay for business travel and it offers a full range of services. If a bed and breakfast is what you want then Chez Dube B&B may be the right place for you to stay.

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Alberta Ft Mac

Where to Go For a Drink in Fort McMurray

If you are visiting Fort McMurray and you feel like a drink or a night on the town where should you go? You have many options, depending on the atmosphere and environment that you are looking for. In Alberta the legal drinking age is just 18 years old, so if you meet this minimum you can explore some of the bars and night clubs that Fort McMurray offers. If you are part of the younger crowd then you may want to make a beeline for the Whiskey Ultra Lounge. This club tends to have a younger clientele and is more energetic. If you are hoping for a quiet and relaxed atmosphere then this may not be the best possible choice for you.

The Fort McMurray Newfoundlanders Club is another popular watering hole in Fort McMurray, and this club tends to be full of locals and seems to have fewer tourists. If you are hoping to find an Irish pub then you will get the real deal when you go to Paddy McSwiggins. If you are hoping to find adult exotic entertainment then you will need to go to Showgirls Adult Night Club. There are bars and clubs for all tastes and drinking preferences, so finding a comfortable spot that you enjoy should not be difficult. There is also the Black Horse Pub, Tavern On Main, Club NV, and the Heartstone Lounge as possible destinations when you want to go have a drink and check out the social scene.

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Alberta Ft Mac

Where Should You Eat While You are in Fort McMurray?

Fort McMurray has many excellent restaurants and eateries for you to choose from, so where should you go while you are in the area? You may feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities, but you can take advantage of the online forums for foodies and the local papers to see which establishments to visit. The Keg Steakhouse has a great reputation for superb food and a nice environment for dining. The restaurant is open from 4pm until midnight Monday through Saturday, and from 4pm until 11pm on Sunday. Enjoy their summer lobster menu or satisfy your sweet tooth with something from the scrumptious dessert menu. This is an establishment that is somewhat upscale though and the prices will reflect this.

If you want Japanese cuisine while you are in Fort McMurray there are a number of options. You can visit Yoshi Japanese Restaurant or Fuji Japanese Restaurant for a dining experience that you will not soon forget and incredible Japanese cuisine that will quickly become a favorite. Yoshi offers dine in or takeout, and Fuji also has a delivery service that they offer if you do not feel like driving. You can also choose from Moxie’s Classic Grill, Boston Pizza, or Earl’s if you are not in the mood for Japanese food. For Italian food in Fort McMurray you may want to stop by Tio Mario, and The Fish Place can give you some of the freshest and finest seafood imaginable. For home cooking a trip to the Kozy Korner Family Restaurant may be called for.