January 25, 2010

FOCUS | Fort McMurray

Growth of economy has put strain on infrastructure

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

The growth of the economy and population in Fort McMurray has put an enormous strain on public infrastructure, including housing, roads, bridges, schools, the airport, the water treatment plant, sewer system, recreational facilities and hospitals.

“We’ve reached a milestone number,” said Melissa Blake, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort McMurray and the surrounding area.

“Once again, we saw record population growth, indicating to the provincial and federal governments that the nation’s economic engine needs their help to improve the infrastructure and services on which our residents rely to sustain economic growth that benefits all Albertans and Canadians.”

The population of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo jumped to 103,334 in 2008, which is up 141 per cent from 1999. Similarly, the population of Fort McMurray has expanded rapidly to 72,000 in 2008 from about 36,000 in 1999.

This estimate doesn’t include a shadow population of between 20,000 to 30,000, which includes people living in work camps or tents along the Athabasca River.

The provincial and municipal governments are planning to build numerous public sector infrastructure projects to cope with the Fort McMurray’s rapid growth.

For example, Highway 63 is being upgraded to meet the unique demands of the area. This critical transportation link carries workers and heavy trucks with oversized equipment to and from oilsands construction projects.

Other projects are also on the drawing board or are already underway.

The city is building a new sewage treatment plant and plans are underway to allow for the expansion of residential development.

The new facility, which is being built at a total cost of $160 million, is scheduled for completion last year.

The treatment plant is designed to meet the needs of 85,000 people, but it is designed to be expandable and capacity will be increased to 100,000 and additionally to 133,000.

The expansion made it necessary to undertake a $6.5 million replacement and upgrade of the sewer lines, to service new housing developments.

The provincial government is investing $241 million over five years to turn Crown land into new residential, industrial and commercial developments at the Parsons Creek and Saline Creek Plateau.

Phase one of Parsons Creek will cover 450 acres and includes more than 2,000 new homes accommodating an estimated 6,500 residents.

The Saline Creek Plateau development will house up to 3,000 people and focus on water and sewer systems, road construction and improvements to the intersection of Highways 63 and 69.

Keyano College is in the design stage of a proposed Oil Sands Trades and Technology Centre that could cost as much as $110 million.

The building will be about 323,000 sq. ft and will house apprenticeship training, as well as existing and new technology programs. Conceptual drawings are also being developed for a new student dormitory residence at the college. A new recreation centre has been built and it is the biggest in Alberta.

Visit our special section to read more from the three-part series on Fort McMurray

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