Tell Me About Fort Mac

[elkhunter11]

I to lived in Fort Mac, Lasted 4 months, winter ones, it wasnt so much the -65 it was the isolation of the place.

-65F?I have lived in the city for nearly 30 years,and I have never seen it that cold.I have seen -52 on one occasion,and it is quite common to see temperatures below -40,but I have never seen -60F let alone -65F.The saving grace in this city is that when the temperature drops below -40,there is usually very little wind to speak of.

[manitoban]

Few communitys out there offer the oppurtunitys that are available here. But yet most people only give Ft.Mac a few months and then give up on it when in reality gave up on themselves and left.

There are still people living here that dont make outrageous wages. They seem to enjoy it and stay.

Another little bit of information is that when someone barely has a high school diploma they have the oppurtunity to earn more then the public service workers in the city. Nurses, Firefighters, and other workers that actually take care of the people in the community earn almost 30 percent less than the average oil sands worker. Oppurtunity????

[elkhunter11]

Nurses, Firefighters, and other workers that actually take care of the people in the community earn almost 30 percent less than the average oil sands worker.

But you have to take into account the living allowances that are paid out to the Nurses,teachers etc.Those allowances can be significant.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

-65F?I have lived in the city for nearly 30 years,and I have never seen it that cold.I have seen -52 on one occasion,and it is quite common to see temperatures below -40,but I have never seen -60F let alone -65F.The saving grace in this city is that when the temperature drops below -40,there is usually very little wind to speak of.

The windchill factor coupled with the mean temperature at night was close to that at times at the CNRL site during construction.
Normally however, the last few years have been a cake walk compared to some I remember in the past!
Cat

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Mad_Mikee

Cat,

I grew up in Fort Mac as well. Is the Islander the same one that used to be next to Plaza 2?

The place we used to get Chinese food from was between Radio Shak and The Brick in that little strip mall.

When I moved to Fort Mac, Mountain Boy Pizza in Thickwood was the big thing. Still to date, one of the craziest parking lots I've ever seen.

Is/was your wife a teacher by any chance?

I think it's the same outfit that was at Plaza 11, they just moved.
Yup, my wife is still teaching English at Westwood.
She started her career at the Composite high in the 70's.
Cat

[jaylow?]

what grocerie stores are you guys shopping at?...crack heads and people fighting over chicken.??? cant say ive seen that in my life .....maybe in clairview etown. do you maybe get your groceries at the 7-11?

when i was living in edmonton people would get stabbed daily. the helicopters were over the north side every single day looking for convicts. you couldnt go on the lrt at night unless you were with at least a couple people, and i ive never seen drug addicts or prostatution like that on 118th. or how about that crap hole on the west side...stony plain road, theres only 3 kinds of shops on stoney plain, liqour shops , pawn shops and porn shops or the entire north side of down town...should i keep going... fort road area, beverly, older parts of clairveiw are friggen scary dont forget killwoods "cocktails anyone!"

but i guess thats different right?

[manitoban]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

But you have to take into account the living allowances that are paid out to the Nurses,teachers etc.Those allowances can be significant.

let me tell you first hand that they are NOT that much. After taxes it is close to $900. Ask a few of them and they would rather have retention plans, stock options and a 30 percent wage increase.

[elkhunter11]

After taxes it is close to $900. Ask a few of them and they would rather have retention plans, stock options and a 30 percent wage increase.
Reply With Quote

$900 per month after taxes is not all that bad.Do you realize just how much the value of those stock options fell last summer?The stockholders lost a great deal of money in the crash.They would have done much better to have received $900 per month after taxes.As for the retention plans,most of them did not amount to more than $900 per month after taxes,and not everyone qualified for the retention.
And to earn those higher wages,the majority of oilsands workers must work outside in extreme cold and/or in hot areas,and they are constantly exposed to pollution,airborne toxins,and a much higher risk of fire,explosion and exposure to toxic poisonous than teachers or nurses.They also must spend a couple of hours per day traveling to and from the plant sites.The money is good,but the working conditions,the health risks,and the total time away from home are significant factors as to why the wages are that high.

[beermilk]

been living in fort mac going on 5 years now. came here from back east at 18 years old. came here with my girlfriend and our 2 yearold daughter. first 6 months or so i hated it big time work work work thats all it seemed to be. eventually i got a better job with a better scheuld 7 on 7 off making 100+ a year not including the 30g sign on bonus there throwing around. oh and lets not forget if you stay for a WHOLE 3 years they will give you 60g's retention talk about crazy opertunity.

As far as the town goes it has been getting way better even over the lasy 4 years with the syncrude sports and wellness center being one of the nicest in the province. mac island still being worked on. lots of hunting and fishing close to town. the only problem i have with fort mcmurray is there never ending construction going on around the city. but when things boom this fast and so unexpectly they gotta try and catch up some how

[Mad_Mikee]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I think it's the same outfit that was at Plaza 11, they just moved.
Yup, my wife is still teaching English at Westwood.
She started her career at the Composite high in the 70's.
Cat

That's what I figured. Your wife taught me english in grade 9 (1992).

Too funny.

[flygirrl]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

-65F?I have lived in the city for nearly 30 years,and I have never seen it that cold.I have seen -52 on one occasion,and it is quite common to see temperatures below -40,but I have never seen -60F let alone -65F.The saving grace in this city is that when the temperature drops below -40,there is usually very little wind to speak of.

Well, dont know where you were the day I was on Syncrude site and they sent all the contractors home, I was told it was -65 out side. Fort Mac, I just would not want to live there.

[elkhunter11]

Well, dont know where you were the day I was on Syncrude site and they sent all the contractors home, I was told it was -65 out side.

I have worked on the Syncrude site for nearly 30 years,and the coldest temperature that we have seen recorded on site was -52F,and it was calm on that day.If you were working on the UE-1 project,the contractors were sent home when it was around -40 because their production dropped to a virtual standstill,not that they accomplished a great deal more when the weather was warmer.

It does get cold here,but -65F is an exaggeration,-65C would take a great deal of imagination.The climate can be harsh in winter,but the plant workers still have to keep the plants running all year.I was likely working on that day that you are referring to.

[Sparx]

The only thing worth saying to the people who don't want to be in McMurray is do us both a favour and stay out! You don't want you here, and more so, we don't want you here either! It's the negative attitudes all you negative people have brought in that has changed this town for the worse. Our family has been here since 1978 and I was born and raised here.

I'm a man, not a mouse, I go sledding at -40C and normally am too warm because I dressed for the weather. I've left town to drive through Edmonton and Calgary and it was colder there than McMurray, it's Alberta, not just this town, so where you hiding?

The city slickers can have their big towns, I grew up with drugs surrounding me, but don't fool yourselves, every 14-18 year old in high school anywhere is surrounded by pot and mushrooms. I can hop on my quad in not even 5 minutes from my house, how far do you have to drive to clear the private property?

I shoot moose 30mins from my house and grab the cell and call for backup because my family is all here.

I'm having a hard time with the growing pains, so I'm moving out to Saprae Creek. The hardest part I have to deal with is people who have stated in here that they are only here for money. Those individuals are some of the individuals throwing trash out their windows on the drive to work cause they could care less for the town that has supported my family through the good and the bad.

You get the money here to take you anywhere you want. Where can you go to Vegas on your days off without having to take vacation. Because you can afford it and it's nice to get a break for the town, all of us locals would agree. Who never wants to travel and stay where they live 24/7 anyhow? I've made a killing on Real Estate and it was tough to get started even when the condo's were once only $175,000. Once you get your foot in the door and stay on track everything comes through and your set for life, most by the age of 30 let alone 25 if you go to school and get a trade right off the bat.

Please, nobody come here if you don't have a positive attitude. If you need help, ask the long time locals, we're more than glad to let everyone know what has worked, and what to do when it's cold, or the traffic is bad, or where to find what your looking for. All I ask for is to respect this town that has done me and my family good, it is my hometown and always will be. I guess that makes me part newfie wether I like it or not?

[spudislander]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

-65F?I have lived in the city for nearly 30 years,and I have never seen it that cold.I have seen -52 on one occasion,and it is quite common to see temperatures below -40,but I have never seen -60F let alone -65F.The saving grace in this city is that when the temperature drops below -40,there is usually very little wind to speak of.

The extreme minimum recorded at the Fort McMurray Airport was -50.6 C on the 1st of Feb 1947 and the most extreme windchill recorded was -59.6. That being said windchill is a calculation of the effect of wind and temperature on exposed skin, not an actual recorded temp. As for the winds you are dead on, when we get the extreme low temps associated with the arctic air mass we are typically under a ridge of high pressure giving calm winds and clear skies. But as I was told when I moved here "it's a dry cold".

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by gitrdun

I don't live there, but I travel there on business. Usually to catch a small aircraft or chopper to Legend, Liege etc. I don't enjoy my stays there as it's in a Hotel and I can't sleep for all the inconsiderate people that hang out inside and out. I went shopping for a pair of runners at the local Wal-Mart and found the women there really cranky. I also don't understand the language they speak up there.

Maybe next time I'll bring a couple of toys and go shooting with Cat or another local.

All you have to do is gimme a PM and let me know you're coming, Partner!
We'll get you on the river or out to the range, and I GUARANTEE you a great time!
Cat

[eric2381]

I've worked inthe ara quite a bit and south in Conklin. I never had a problem going downtown. I don't frequent the Oilcan or any other bars really. I go on the road to work. And I have never minded going to McMurray. Or any other place. Leave home to work and make money for my family and myself. Have fun at home.

[Silverado]

We have the most comprehensive range in Western Canada....



And bananas are $0.69 per pound. LMAO

[Albertacoyotecaller]

Spent 5 years there and to me it was great. I wouldn't want that time back. It was well spent.

Greg

[goober]

Originally Posted by Sparx

The only thing worth saying to the people who don't want to be in McMurray is do us both a favour and stay out! You don't want you here, and more so, we don't want you here either! It's the negative attitudes all you negative people have brought in that has changed this town for the worse. Our family has been here since 1978 and I was born and raised here.

I'm a man, not a mouse, I go sledding at -40C and normally am too warm because I dressed for the weather. I've left town to drive through Edmonton and Calgary and it was colder there than McMurray, it's Alberta, not just this town, so where you hiding?

The city slickers can have their big towns, I grew up with drugs surrounding me, but don't fool yourselves, every 14-18 year old in high school anywhere is surrounded by pot and mushrooms. I can hop on my quad in not even 5 minutes from my house, how far do you have to drive to clear the private property?

I shoot moose 30mins from my house and grab the cell and call for backup because my family is all here.

I'm having a hard time with the growing pains, so I'm moving out to Saprae Creek. The hardest part I have to deal with is people who have stated in here that they are only here for money. Those individuals are some of the individuals throwing trash out their windows on the drive to work cause they could care less for the town that has supported my family through the good and the bad.

You get the money here to take you anywhere you want. Where can you go to Vegas on your days off without having to take vacation. Because you can afford it and it's nice to get a break for the town, all of us locals would agree. Who never wants to travel and stay where they live 24/7 anyhow? I've made a killing on Real Estate and it was tough to get started even when the condo's were once only $175,000. Once you get your foot in the door and stay on track everything comes through and your set for life, most by the age of 30 let alone 25 if you go to school and get a trade right off the bat.

Please, nobody come here if you don't have a positive attitude. If you need help, ask the long time locals, we're more than glad to let everyone know what has worked, and what to do when it's cold, or the traffic is bad, or where to find what your looking for. All I ask for is to respect this town that has done me and my family good, it is my hometown and always will be. I guess that makes me part newfie wether I like it or not?

Well said Sparx!!! I have worked up there for about a year total in 2 separate stints and never found trouble. I always found stuff to do after work that did not involve going to bars or hanging out downtown. It is a great place to go work if you enjoy the outdoors in my eyes. I will most likely be back up there in a couple months and am looking forward to it.
However there were some negatives that I found and since you offered your help! Let me know how I can can avoid the following next time I am up there as they have all happened to me while I was there.
1. My personal truck was involved in a hit and run while parked at Canadian Tire. (My company paid the $1200 in repairs)
2. My work truck was broken in to while parked in the lot at my condo (right across the street from Sport And Wellness CTR).
3. Stereo stolen from my personal truck ( I paid for replacement).
4. $1300 worth of tools stolen from my office on site at Suncor.

[Sparx]

Originally Posted by goober

Well said Sparx!!! I have worked up there for about a year total in 2 separate stints and never found trouble. I always found stuff to do after work that did not involve going to bars or hanging out downtown. It is a great place to go work if you enjoy the outdoors in my eyes. I will most likely be back up there in a couple months and am looking forward to it.
However there were some negatives that I found and since you offered your help! Let me know how I can can avoid the following next time I am up there as they have all happened to me while I was there.
1. My personal truck was involved in a hit and run while parked at Canadian Tire. (My company paid the $1200 in repairs)
2. My work truck was broken in to while parked in the lot at my condo (right across the street from Sport And Wellness CTR).
3. Stereo stolen from my personal truck ( I paid for replacement).
4. $1300 worth of tools stolen from my office on site at Suncor.

Seriously, that's tough because theft and hit and runs will happen anywhere. We've all heard stories of stereo's being stolen in all cities, it just makes you think it's more of a problem in the Mac. Really I have a stereo in my truck and all the gear your talking about in my driveway within a block from the area you have problems with. It doesn't help being so close to the strippers and a darker area of town. Always try to park under street lamps and don't have anything "showing" off your toys. Hit and runs suck, you have to park pretty far away from the exit doors to avoid them and still some moron will hit you.... I honestly haven't had too much for problems in that regard and your lucky the company covered for you as many wouldn't! I had my truck broken into at the Six Lakes parking lot for the first time in over 10 years and they just broke my drivers side window and mirror and took a cd holder, that's it. They unhooked my trailer lights but saw the lock on the hitch and doors and gave up. It sucks, but I've had many buddy's loose their stereo's parking in paid parking while working in Edmonton and Calgary too... What can you really do other than lay low in your truck with a shotgun? That will only work when your there too!

[roots]

I have lived In Fort Mcmurray several times over the last few years. I don't drink and don't party and I never had any problems finding things to do with my time. I would go for long walks and even went to church a few times. I lived on Frankland Ave and never had any problems with crack heads but I did see lots of them and maybe they thought I was a crack head walking around by myself. Anyway, if you go looking for trouble it is easy to find but it is easy to live a normal life too.

[snowpeach]

I am a former nurse, teacher and massage therapist and am considering starting out in Fort Mac if there is a need for quality daycare, and also am considering an affordable massage/sauna evenings and weekends.
My husband is a computer guy and if he can't find work in his field he may either do contract or change careers and drive truck? Is there jobs in that area for him?
We would rent for the first years (we own a home down south) and wonder where a quality area is that we could rent a whole nice home. We would appreciate any info as we gather info to make this decision.
Bless you for taking time to share with us

[jeff5316]

Originally Posted by Sparx

The only thing worth saying to the people who don't want to be in McMurray is do us both a favour and stay out! You don't want you here, and more so, we don't want you here either! It's the negative attitudes all you negative people have brought in that has changed this town for the worse. Our family has been here since 1978 and I was born and raised here.

I'm a man, not a mouse, I go sledding at -40C and normally am too warm because I dressed for the weather. I've left town to drive through Edmonton and Calgary and it was colder there than McMurray, it's Alberta, not just this town, so where you hiding?

The city slickers can have their big towns, I grew up with drugs surrounding me, but don't fool yourselves, every 14-18 year old in high school anywhere is surrounded by pot and mushrooms. I can hop on my quad in not even 5 minutes from my house, how far do you have to drive to clear the private property?

I shoot moose 30mins from my house and grab the cell and call for backup because my family is all here.

I'm having a hard time with the growing pains, so I'm moving out to Saprae Creek. The hardest part I have to deal with is people who have stated in here that they are only here for money. Those individuals are some of the individuals throwing trash out their windows on the drive to work cause they could care less for the town that has supported my family through the good and the bad.

You get the money here to take you anywhere you want. Where can you go to Vegas on your days off without having to take vacation. Because you can afford it and it's nice to get a break for the town, all of us locals would agree. Who never wants to travel and stay where they live 24/7 anyhow? I've made a killing on Real Estate and it was tough to get started even when the condo's were once only $175,000. Once you get your foot in the door and stay on track everything comes through and your set for life, most by the age of 30 let alone 25 if you go to school and get a trade right off the bat.

Please, nobody come here if you don't have a positive attitude. If you need help, ask the long time locals, we're more than glad to let everyone know what has worked, and what to do when it's cold, or the traffic is bad, or where to find what your looking for. All I ask for is to respect this town that has done me and my family good, it is my hometown and always will be. I guess that makes me part newfie wether I like it or not?

I could not agree with you more. I have lived here now for 4.5 years and I love it here. I am so sick of all the negative attitudes against Fort Mac. I am also proud to call Fort Mac home. I think the people that spend all day whining and complaining about here need to actually get out and see what Fort Mac has to offer. Awesome quadding, fishing, hunting, shooting range and sports, etc.

[jeff5316]

Originally Posted by snowpeach

I am a former nurse, teacher and massage therapist and am considering starting out in Fort Mac if there is a need for quality daycare, and also am considering an affordable massage/sauna evenings and weekends.
My husband is a computer guy and if he can't find work in his field he may either do contract or change careers and drive truck? Is there jobs in that area for him?
We would rent for the first years (we own a home down south) and wonder where a quality area is that we could rent a whole nice home. We would appreciate any info as we gather info to make this decision.
Bless you for taking time to share with us

I am not to sure about computer jobs. There are some places here so I am sure he could find something. I know there is lots of jobs here driving truck though. If he needs any help or advice with truck driving jobs just send me a pm and I would be more than happy to help him with anything he needs or questions he wants answered.

[Jims71duster]

Originally Posted by flygirrl

I to lived in Fort Mac, Lasted 4 months, winter ones, it wasnt so much the -65 it was the isolation of the place. Its a dead end road. The air there smells like tar at all times and grocory shopping is like that comecial on tv with the two women fighting over the last package of chicken. The problem with Fort mac is you get sucked into the money. I still have friends there and that is their problem, they want to get out but where do you go to make 65.00 and hour and all the overtime you want. The people there for the most part are friendly but it is a transient city no matter how you cut it.

????????? Let's get this straight,,,,,the air in town does not smell like tar!! I know this place is not the best but hey,, they all can't be Calgary. The air at Suncor or Syncrude is tar like but to say the Mac is like that all the time is 100 percent wrong. I have never seen anyone fight over food in any of the grocery stores. At times the stock on fresh veggies can be poor and just like everywhere,,Easter, thx giving and Xmas ,,some stuff is hard to find if you wait to the last minute. I do find the cashier line ups after 8 pm a little long but that's all. Lots of sites shift change on wed. So tues the stores are hit hard but they stock overnight.
I would never live there while my currant family situation remains the same as my wife of 27 years would not leave cowtown. I like Anzac more than the Mac but no services besides gas and a bar. I also have a place downtown and often walk there and have had no issues nor have I seen anything scary. Lots of black people there at night but that does not mean they are bad people. Also see small groups of homeless looking people but have not been approached by any of them. Hope not to make anyone angry but I would live in the Mac in a heart beat before I would move to brooks. I think if your an outdoor dude like cat and mind your own business, life would be all roses and kittens. Having his job might drive me to live in brooks but hey we all have our crosses to bear. (jus funnin)

[Clgy_Dave2.0]

Originally Posted by Jims71duster

????????? Let's get this straight,,,,,the air in town does not smell like tar!! I know this place is not the best but hey,, they all can't be Calgary. The air at Suncor or Syncrude is tar like but to say the Mac is like that all the time is 100 percent wrong. I have never seen anyone fight over food in any of the grocery stores. At times the stock on fresh veggies can be poor and just like everywhere,,Easter, thx giving and Xmas ,,some stuff is hard to find if you wait to the last minute. I do find the cashier line ups after 8 pm a little long but that's all. Lots of sites shift change on wed. So tues the stores are hit hard but they stock overnight.
I would never live there while my currant family situation remains the same as my wife of 27 years would not leave cowtown. I like Anzac more than the Mac but no services besides gas and a bar. I also have a place downtown and often walk there and have had no issues nor have I seen anything scary. Lots of black people there at night but that does not mean they are bad people. Also see small groups of homeless looking people but have not been approached by any of them. Hope not to make anyone angry but I would live in the Mac in a heart beat before I would move to brooks. I think if your an outdoor dude like cat and mind your own business, life would be all roses and kittens. Having his job might drive me to live in brooks but hey we all have our crosses to bear. (jus funnin)

Maybe it was like that when DarkAisling & flygirrl made their posts...over 3 years ago.

[greylynx]

I heard the gun club is pretty good.

They even let Cat and EH11 shoot there.

[doetracks]

Originally Posted by Calgary Dave

Maybe it was like that when DarkAisling & flygirrl made their posts...over 3 years ago.

Thank heavens I wasn't the only one that noticed this.. lol

[Flight01]

My wife was born and raised here and also my son who now is 3. I moved here in spring of 2003. The housing is expensive but thats why you make good wages. I work a day job now to see my son more but my wife is stuck in the shift work still. We make good money and are managing to balance work and life. Like anywhere there are things that will tick you off like traffic and massive line ups for groceries every time you go...but all in all its a good place with lots of activities for kids(martial arts, soccer, football, hockey, canoeing club, Gun range....etc) we are on the doorstep of some beautiful contry here. Hitting the rivers will take you into another world, so peaceful. Trailer up the quads and head an hour south to avoid the hunting pressure. I have my moments where the people (usually transiants who complain about how crappy everything is) are trying to ruin my day, but you just take it as it comes. We need the shadow population to help run this economic engine but quite often the bad preceptions are coming from those who dont give it a chance or dont even live in the town at all...(ie. my brother in law who loves to hunt says you cant beat moose hunting in newfoundland, i love newfoundland but I can hunt more animals more often and in the same or better scenic back drops all across Alberta) Simple decisions people make each day molds their version of fort mcmurray and sometimes it aint so good. Bottom line is I say try it out. keep your nose clean and always find a way to de-stress. Cant let the hustle and bustle of everyone else rule your life. Good Luck!

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by doetracks

Thank heavens I wasn't the only one that noticed this.. lol

If you will notice Snowpeach also posted a few questions. I guess I addressed all aspects including the OP's questions. LOL...I wonder if the OP moved here after?