Tag: Wood Buffalo

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Entertainment Ft Mac

Tips for a Safe and Happy New Year’s Eve in Wood Buffalo

New Year's Eve, Wood Buffalo

It is New Year’s Eve in Wood Buffalo, and there are some safety tips that can help you and your family enjoy the holiday while staying safe. If you plan on driving anywhere tonight remember not to drink and drive, or your holiday could end up with you behind bars or even worse. Instead choose a designated driver, take a cab, or even arrange to spend the night at the home of a friend or a hotel near where your party is being held. It is the season for winter weather, as well as a night for parties and having fun, so be careful if you are driving and be prepared for winter weather conditions. If you will be drinking make sure to pace yourself, and avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.

If you will be spending New Year’s Eve in Wood Buffalo and you plan on having a drink or two then make sure that you alternate your beverages so that you stay well hydrated. Have an alcoholic beverage and then choose juice, water, or soda. Before you start drinking eat foods that are high n fats and carbohydrates because this slows down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Know when to stop drinking, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcohol poisoning and even death in some cases. If you are the host who is throwing a party consider designating someone to stay sober and drive your guests home. You can also make arrangements with a local cab company to provide transportation services for guests who need it, or arrange for guests to spend the night if they are not capable of driving.

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Economic Ft Mac

2015 Municipal Census in Wood Buffalo Shows Population of 125,032

2015 municipal census, Wood Buffalo

The 2015 municipal census for Wood Buffalo shows that the local community has a population of 125,032 right now. In addition to determining the population count in the area the 2015 municipal census also sends a strong message that shows everyone counts. The census was wrapped up last month on June 30, and the new count shows considerable growth over the population tally from the last official census which put the population for the region at 116,407. That census was performed in 2012. Fransisco Bermejo, the planning and development supervisor for RMWB, thanked the residents and the census enumerators who took part. Bermejo said “I really have to appreciate everybody’s effort.” The census numbers have not been finalized yet so the total could change as the process winds down.

During the 2015 municipal census project in Wood Buffalo Bermejo reported that all of the existing dwellings were covered, all 30, 324 of them, and that 1,200 new addresses were also added to the census rolls as well. When discussing the census numbers Bermejo stated “Those numbers still need to be scrutinized and processed. That means that they have to be categorized in each one of those geographies that we have in the region. I am pretty satisfied and happy, it tells a story about growth in the region. It may not be one of those peaks of growth, but it’s still growing. I can’t not finish by appreciating and thanking the community for their appreciation. They allowed us to have access to their doors and to count. That really reflects participation from our community, so we have to thank them.”

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Economic Entertainment Ft Mac

Loss of Local Eateries in Wood Buffalo Saddens Many Residents

Wood Buffalo, local eateries

Wood Buffalo is losing some local eateries, and some residents are nostalgic about the closings. McRay’s Classic Cafe and Gino’s Pub will be closed, and a liquidation sale will be held. Owner of the eateries Jennifer Eastwood told the media “The whole reason why we’re closing is because we can’t come to terms on a lease.” When the current lease for the properties expired on August 31, 2013 the tenancy moved to a month to month basis. The owner of the buildings, Pom Cha, has been unable to come to an agreement on a long term lease with Eastwood. In 2013 when the old lease expired Cha presented Eastwood with a now lease that included a rental amount that was double the previous rent charged, Eastwood would also have to agree to take responsibility for all maintenance costs to the properties, and invest a minimum of $350,000 in renovations and refurbishments.

The closing of the local eateries in Wood Buffalo has many long time customers in the area upset. Eastwood explained that she had tried to keep McRay’s Classic Cafe and Gino’s Pub open but that is no longer a possibility. Eastwood said “We’re interested in refurbishing the inside, not the outside. Because we haven’t been able to come to terms, we can’t invest, and we can’t sell, so we’ve decided to leave. My heart is broken. This is my identity. This is my whole life.” With the closing or McRay’s 45 people will be out of a job, and the community will have fewer places to eat or relax.

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Alberta Ft Mac Health

Wood Buffalo Grants $1.5 Million for Medevac

Medevac, Wood Buffalo

The council for Wood Buffalo recently granted $1.5 million for the Local Helicopter Emergency Response Organization so that medevac services can continue to operate around the clock and will be available when needed. The grant payment will be spread out over a 12 month period. The vote by council members was unanimous. According to Phoenix Heli-Flight, the company that owns and operates the Local Helicopter Emergency Response Organization, the funds were needed to cover fixed operation costs for the company during ongoing negotiations with the Alberta Health services over the program funding. In the 2014/2015 year the council members also approved HERO funding for $1.5 million as well. Eventually the funding arrangements will be completely worked out and the costs can be shared between the energy industry, the province of Alberta, and the municipality of Wood Buffalo.

The municipality of wood Buffalo depends on the medevac services in many ways. The remote location of the area means that emergency medical transport from other sources is often not available, and the HERO program can mean the difference between life and death for many who are injured seriously in the remote reaches of Alberta. Without the medevac services those who are seriously injured would require much longer to reach a medical care facility and receive needed treatment. Some of the oil companies who have work camps also rely on the medevac program when a worker is injured at a job site or one of the remote work camps. Failing to fund the HERO program was not really an option.

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Economic Ft Mac

Rental Vacancy Rates in Wood Buffalo are Up Sharply

Wood Buffalo, rental vacancy rates

The Wood Buffalo rental vacancy rates are up sharply, and this is caused by low oil prices, a weak labour market, and other economic factors. In April of 2014 Wood Buffalo had a rental vacancy rate of 7%, one year later in April of 2015 and this rate is a whopping 22.3%. These statistics were recently released after the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s rental market survey was performed. Braden Batch, a CMHC market analyst, blamed the labour market for the drastic increase in the rate in a single year. Batch explained that “The sources of demand in the rental market have certainly pulled back in the last survey period. I would largely attribute that to the labour market in Wood Buffalo being quite a bit weaker than what we saw in April last year.”

In addition to the rental vacancy rates in Wood Buffalo unemployment rates have also seen a spike over the last year, with the region seeing full time employment fall by 2% and the unemployment rate going from 4.2% in 2014 to 8.6% in 2015. Batch stated “Nobody’s surprised by saying anymore that the price of oil has declined considerably. Some people in that market are there solely for work … and if the work is dried up they may be leaving the town.” The Wood Buffalo rental costs can be high, with an average for all housing types at around $1,884. Bachelor suites can bring in an average of $1,326 each month, one bedroom units can cost around $1,574, and units with 3 bedrooms typically run around $2,295 each month.

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Ft Mac

More Road Closures Expected in Wood Buffalo as Construction Upgrades Start

road closures, Wood Buffalo

Wood Buffalo residents can expect more road closures in the downtown area thanks to the start of the 2015 construction season and a number of planned upgrades to the roads and other infrastructure in the works. Some of the upgrades include road repaving or replacement, water and sewer main upgrades, and adding sidewalks, curbs, and even landscaping in the downtown area of Fort MacMurray. This means traffic rerouting and the potential for some congestion as the construction picks up. This can also mean some frayed tempers as the warm weather heats up. The Hardin Street westbound lane allowing traffic onto Highway 63 is closed until the middle of July, and there are other short term road closures in the downtown area as well. Motorists are advised to check for closures on a regular basis.

The Wood Buffalo and Fort MacMurray rood closures will be going on until the end of the construction season. Residents can check for road closures online at rmwb.ca/construction. Some of the other road closures that motorists should be aware of include:

  • On May 20-21 a portion of MacDonald Avenue near the Jubilee Plaza will be closed.
  • Morrison Street between Manning and Franklin will be closed to traffic until some time in September.
  • Hospital Street between Manning and Fitzgerald Avenue will also be closed until September.
  • Some areas on Beacon Hill Drive, Grayling Terrace, Timberlea, Abasand Drive, Ross Haven, Drive, Athabasca Avenue, and Timberline Drive will be closed at some point this season.