ATCO Frontec and Fort McKay First Nation to build 500 room oilsands lodge
The problems & potential of the Arctic
ATCO Frontec and Fort McKay First Nation to build 500 room oilsands lodge
ATCO Frontec and the Fort McKay First Nation have entered into a partnership to build and operate a critically needed new 500-room lodge in the booming Alberta oilsands region north of Fort McMurray.
Phase one of the Creeburn Lake Lodge will open February 2008, offering important new accommodations for oilsands workers and an array of career opportunities for members of the Fort McKay First Nation.
The Lodge, which will be primarily assembled using top-quality, state-of-the-art modules built by ATCO Structures Inc., has been designed to allow for future expansion to 1000 rooms. Every room features a 26 inch LCD TV/DVD system, high speed Internet, and individual environment controls.
"The signing of this joint venture agreement with the Fort McKay First Nation builds on ATCO Frontec's long and unique history of working with Aboriginal communities to create mutually beneficial relationships and projects," said Harry Wilmot, President, ATCO Frontec. "This much needed housing project in the Fort McMurray region brings together the skills and resources of both organizations."
Chief Jim Boucher of the Fort McKay First Nation added: "Creeburn Lake Lodge is yet another example of our continuing efforts to foster new economic partnerships that will provide long term opportunities and benefits to our people. This partnership complements many of the services that we currently provide through the Fort McKay Group of Companies and our other joint partnerships."
The joint venture agreement governs the development, construction, and operation of the Lodge, located approximately 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, slated to open in stages, with the first rooms available in February, the lodge is expected to be fully operational by July 2008.
The 130,000 square foot lodge includes a dining room, licensed lounge, games room, fitness centre, meeting rooms, television rooms, laundry facilities, and on-site parking with plug-ins.
The Fort McKay First Nation is comprised of Cree and Dene people who have lived along the Athabasca River for generations. Fort McKay is considered one of the most progressive First Nations in Canada, and has established a wide range of oil industry-based companies that provide employment opportunities and revenue for the community. More information on Fort McKay can be found at www.fortmckay.com.
ATCO Frontec, a subsidiary of Canadian Utilities Limited, part of the ATCO Group of companies, specializes in the rapid mobilization and delivery of site support services and facilities management to the defence, transportation, telecommunications and resource sectors. More information is available at www.atcofrontec.com.
ATCO Group, an Alberta based worldwide organization of companies with assets of approximately $7.8 billion and more than 7,000 employees, is comprised of three main business divisions; Power Generation; Utilities (natural gas and electricity transmission and distribution) and Global Enterprises, with companies active in industrial manufacturing, technology, logistics and energy
services.
More information about ATCO Ltd. can be found at www.atco.com.
The problems & potential of the Arctic
Inuit leader Mary Simon is urging the federal government to pay more attention to the problems and potential of the Arctic.
She's begun a national speaking tour that will take her to all provinces and territories, bringing the message that the Arctic is a region whose time has come.
Simon welcomes the Conservative government's moves to bolster Canadian sovereignty in the north with plans for new military bases and improved ports, but she says there's more to it than that.
She wants policies that will build thriving communities in the North, address climate change and other environmental challenges and provide for economic growth in partnership with the Inuit of the North.
Simon says the vast resources of the North must be developed with attention to both the environment and the long-term benefits of the residents.
This can be done by developing a partnership approach, she adds.