Fort McMurray Minute: Heritage Society, School Upgrades, and Highway Funding Announced

Fort McMurray Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Fort McMurray politics

This Week In Fort McMurray:

• On Tuesday, at 4:00 pm, there will be a Council Meeting, beginning with a closed session. During this closed session, Council will discuss Fort McMurray Heritage Society Board Representation, a Labor Relations Matter, and the Integrity Commissioner Expression of Interest Submissions Review. Once the meeting opens up to the public, at 6:00 pm, the agenda includes a Special Events on Municipal Land Policy, as well as a Councillor’s Motion regarding a review of the regulations governing portable signs, and another regarding Vehicle for Hire license renewal rates.
  
  
• A meeting of the Wood Buffalo Pro-Business Advisory Committee, originally scheduled for Wednesday at 2:30 pm, is cancelled. But, at 5:30 pm, the Public Art Committee will meet. The agenda includes the overall Public Art Policy, Acquisitions, and Temporary Art Programs, among other items.
  
  
• The Advisory Committee on Aging will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm. The Committee will discuss the Age-Friendly Business Recognition Program, SMART Bus statistics, and Senior's Resource Committee Updates. Also on Thursday, at 5:30 pm, the Wood Buffalo Waterfront Advisory Committee will meet. The agenda includes a Heritage Shipyard Relocation Update and a Snye Point Park Project Update.

Last Week In Fort McMurray:

• The Alberta government announced upgrades for two Fort McMurray schools as part of its 2025 budget. Holy Trinity Catholic High School will receive an addition to accommodate growing student populations, while École Dickinsfield School will undergo a modernization project. The projects are in the early stages, with construction timelines and costs yet to be determined. These initiatives are part of a larger $8.6 billion plan to address the needs of rural schools in Alberta, responding to rising enrollments and aging infrastructure.
  
  
• The Province announced plans to create an east-west highway connecting Fort McMurray to the Peace region. The proposed Highway 686 will span 218 kilometers and $311 million has been allocated to the project over three years in the 2025 provincial budget. The project is already in the detailed design phase, with improvements planned near Red Earth Creek to accommodate larger traffic volumes. Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen noted that the recent wildfires highlighted the need for more emergency routes.
  
  
• Council agreed to cover the Fort McMurray Heritage Society’s (FMHS) operational costs for three months as the organization grapples with financial issues and an ongoing RCMP fraud investigation. FMHS has been unable to secure grants due to missing audits for 2023 and 2024, preventing the release of $175,000 in municipal funding. The RCMP has been investigating allegations of internal fraud since November, but no charges have been laid. Without immediate funding, FMHS would have shut down, jeopardizing historical properties and artifacts. Council approved a $300,000 bailout, with some members expressing concerns about long-term viability, while others stressed the need to preserve the community’s heritage.