Downtown

A Floaters Guide to Floating the Clearwater River in Fort McMurray

By The A-Team
Jul 14, 2020

Let's Get Right to it!   Ok, now this is getting me really excited for our beautiful summers!   Have you ever floated down the river in Fort McMurray? Would you like to know where to go and what to bring? Then read on, and enjoy!   I moved to Fort McMurray in 2013 and it

A Newbie And a Pro Go Bowling in Fort McMurray

By Sheron Meghjani
Apr 13, 2020

Get The Scoop!   Who Are We? My name is Amna, and this wonderful blog that you are about to read is about a shared experience with my best friend/the other A-Team Admin, Sheron. We went bowling for the first time together and it was quite amusing... One of us is a newbie, and

What’s Near Keyano College?

By Amna Nadeem
Feb 19, 2020

Keyano College        [caption id="attachment_35594" align="aligncenter" width="985"] Google[/caption]   Keyano College is a post-secondary institution located in Fort McMurray. I attended Keyano College for 2 years so I know it inside and out.  You may be a Keyano student (or planning to attend), and you might be wondering what there is to do in the neighborhood

Downtown Community Highlights: Hardin Cafe

By Amna Nadeem
Dec 01, 2019

A Fresh, Chic, Cute Coffee Shop Good news! We have a new cafe in town - Hardin Cafe - and it just opened this year in June. This cute, new cafe has been getting better known day by day and offers some excellent options for cafe food. Hardin Cafe is situated right

Beyond Franklin: Father Mercredi Street

By Dawn Booth
Oct 16, 2019

Fort Chipewyan native becomes Alberta’s second First Nations minister Father Patrick Mercredi played an influential role in the Wood Buffalo region for becoming the second First Nations minister in Alberta’s history in 1934. Mercredi was born into the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation community in 1904 and came from a family of

Beyond Franklin: Moberly Crescent

By Dawn Booth
Sep 30, 2019

A reflection on the man who named Fort McMurray – Henry John Moberly A builder, hunter, post manager, and, in his later years, a book author, Henry John Moberly is the man responsible for naming Fort McMurray. Today, his name remains in the community on Moberly Crescent, which is downtown, off

Beyond Franklin: Manning Avenue

By Dawn Booth
Sep 20, 2019

From farm boy to preacher in politics as Alberta’s premier The Manning name is often used for titles of streets, schools and centres across the province to honour Alberta’s longest-standing premier – Honourable Ernest C. Manning. In Fort McMurray, the name is on Manning Avenue, which is in the city’s lower townsite.

Downtown Highlights: The Alley YMM

By Dawn Booth
Sep 10, 2019

A new family-friendly facility brings local entertainment to the next level The Alley YMM is the newest family entertainment centre to open its doors in the Wood Buffalo region, and it’s gaining popularity each day. With five and 10-pin bowling alleys, an arcade packed with the newest featured games, a walk-up Starbucks,

Beyond Franklin: Fraser Avenue

By Dawn Booth
Sep 08, 2019

How the family of a piper populated the Prairies Located in the heart of Fort McMurray’s downtown core, Fraser Avenue recognizes some of Alberta’s earliest settlers who populated the Edmonton area in the 1800s. Today, the Avenue is home to landmarks and facilities like the Rotary House Seniors Lodge, Chez Dube Country

Beyond Franklin: Hospital Street

By Dawn Booth
Aug 21, 2019

A street surrounding the health care of the region Hospital Street’s name comes from the location where the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s hospital – The Northern Lights Regional Health Centre (NLRHC) resides. The NLRHC is in Fort McMurray’s lower townsite area at 7 Hospital Street. It’s the community’s third hospital facility

Beyond Franklin: Franklin Avenue

By Dawn Booth
Jun 14, 2019

Franklin Avenue lies in the heart of Fort McMurray’s downtown core and its where the early development of businesses and residential buildings settled. According to the Fort McMurray Heritage Society, Franklin Avenue became the main street after the rebuild from the 1934 fire. During this time, it was a dirt road

Beyond Franklin: The Street Names of Fort McMurray

By Dawn Booth
May 22, 2019

By Dawn Booth May – it’s a historical month for the city of Fort McMurray. It was the same month it was founded by Henry J. Moberley in 1870. Back then, the hamlet surrounded the fur trading post developed by the Hudson Bay Company. Moberley named it after William McMurray, who was

Downtown Highlights: The Redpoll Centre

By Dawn Booth
May 01, 2019

The Red Poll Centre unites social profits at Shell Place The Red Poll Centre has been settled in its Shell Place location for five years and continues to be home to numerous social profit agencies. Once settled on Franklin Avenue, The United Way of Fort McMurray - and its original tenants from

Fort McMurray Highlights: The Clearwater River

By Dawn Booth
Apr 24, 2019

A Canadian Heritage River found in Fort McMurray The Clearwater River is one of 42 Canadian Heritage Rivers, and it runs from Saskatchewan westward joining to the Athabasca River in Fort McMurray. Clearwater is one of the 39 rivers designated (three others are nominated) by the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS). In 1984,

Downtown Highlights: Tavern on Main

By Dawn Booth
Apr 09, 2019

Fort McMurray’s favourite taphouse Home to independent music lovers and open mic fanatics Tavern on Main – Taphouse & Grill is a place where the beer taps flow and open mic nights are most favoured by its regulars. Located at 9708 Main Street, motorists can see the tavern’s pub front entrance from Fort

Fort McMurray Highlights: Spring Moon

By Dawn Booth
Mar 30, 2019

Downtown & Timberlea Highlights Spring Moon brings traditional Japanese entrees and tantalizing tastes to its Fort McMurray guests at two different locations downtown and in Timberlea. First established in 2012, the Eagle Ridge location at 180-151 Loutit Road in Timberlea offers a larger guest capacity with booths and barstool seating options. When

Wood Buffalo Brewing Company

By Dawn Booth
Mar 19, 2019

Fort McMurray’s only microbrewery and distillery The Wood Buffalo Brewing Company brings a collection of flavoured beer from its housed microbrewery making it a local staple in the community. Located on 9914 Franklin Avenue at the Morrison Centre, the Wood Buffalo Brewing Company first opened its door in January 2013. It’s the

Downtown Highlights: Bailey’s Pub

By Dawn Booth
Mar 04, 2019

Fort McMurray’s headquarters for local laughter When locals want to enjoy an evening out for laughter or trying out their vocal talent, Bailey’s Pub is the place to do it all. Situated within the Stonebridge Hotel Stonebridge Hotel at 9713 Hardin Street downtown, the Pub is in the same neighbourhood as

Downtown Highlights: Podollan Pub

By Dawn Booth
Feb 26, 2019

Podollan Pub feels like home for sports fan and friends The Podollan Pub – Restaurant & Bar has been a long-loved establishment in Fort McMurray for sports watching, dining out and taking in the local nightlife. The Pub is part of the Podollan Hospitality Group franchise located within the Podollan Inn at

Fort McMurray Highlights: Boston Pizza

By Dawn Booth
Feb 18, 2019

A local franchise focused on family dining Boston Pizza has been a hotspot for local family dining in the Fort McMurray community since 1982 with now two locations downtown and in Timberlea. Founded by Greek immigrant Gus Agioritis, it first opened as the Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House in Edmonton, Alberta, in

Downtown Highlights: Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre

By Dawn Booth
Feb 13, 2019

Setting the Stage for Local Talent Keyano Theatre has been a pinnacle platform for local, national and international performers to entertain the residents of Fort McMurray for almost four decades. The Theatre first opened in 1980 under the Keyano College umbrella which has “grown to become a modern series of buildings on

Downtown Highlights - The McMurray Experience

By Dawn Booth
Feb 02, 2019

A digital media space for all to discover McMurray Experience is an interactive space located in Fort McMurray downtown’s core to highlight the communities found within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). Found at the Jubilee Plaza at 9909 Franklin Avenue, the facility’s purpose was to create a digital-friendly experience for

Downtown Highlights: Avenue Coffee

By Dawn Booth
Jan 12, 2019

Inside Fort McMurray’s trendiest coffee shop For over two years, Avenue Coffee has been mastering the art of brewing exceptional cups of hot and cold beverages at 8102 Fraser Avenue. Dubbed as a “hip and trendy coffee shop and bakehouse,” its menu options offer the cups of classics with its specialty long

The Athabasca River

By Dawn Booth
Jan 06, 2019

Widening the local scope on Alberta’s longest river’s history The Athabasca River is Alberta’s longest river at 1,538 kilometres in length and flows adjacent from Fort McMurray’s downtown core. It’s also the second largest river in Alberta, and the largest undammed river. It’s one of the five rivers that flow through the

Shell Place on MacDonald Island

By Dawn Booth
Dec 31, 2018

Fort McMurray’s premier sports and entertainment experience People often come to the Wood Buffalo region to get a chance to see the Northern Lights and, while this can be hit-or-miss, there is one place a replica of them shine brightly year-round. The lights can be found on MacDonald Island over the Nexen

The Snye River

By Dawn Booth
Dec 22, 2018

A place of modern tranquillity with historic connections The Snye River is a calm backwater found between Fort McMurray’s downtown area and MacDonald Island. It settles between the Clearwater and Athabasca River. Through time, the Snye River has become a place of tranquillity for residents, and local photographers regularly frequent to capture

Syncrude Sports & Wellness Centre – Home to the Huskies

By Dawn Booth
Dec 08, 2018

Community sports facility highlights local professional athletes Syncrude Sports & Wellness Centre was the first of its kind when it opened at Keyano College in 2007. Over a decade later, the facility continues to carry the vision to be “the premier choice for those pursuing excellence in education, sport, recreation and

Celebrating the Season with Fort McMurray Heritage Society

By Dawn Booth
Dec 01, 2018

Heritage Park brings holiday cheer in its historic setting For decades, the community of Fort McMurray has gathered together to celebrate the holiday season with traditional Canadian winter activities like skating on the Syne River and enjoying Maple syrup on a stick. Christmas time and the winter season is something the Fort

Northern Lights Regional Health Centre

By Dawn Booth
Nov 17, 2018

Local health centre built on a foundation of history For over 50 years, the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre has provided medical services to the growing population of Fort McMurray and its surrounding area. The Centre is located at 7 Hospital Street, just off Highway 63 in Fort McMurray’s lower townsite area.

Downtown Highlights: Wood Buffalo Regional Library

By Dawn Booth
Nov 04, 2018

A wealth of resources and much more inside Canada’s largest recreation centre Like all public libraries, the one found in Fort McMurray is an essential part of having an educated and literate community. However, the Wood Buffalo Regional Library (WBRL) is unlike any other in the nation because it’s nestled inside Canada’s

Downtown Highlights: Bob Barrett Men’s Apparel

By Dawn Booth
Oct 27, 2018

Dressing Fort McMurray in their best for over 25 years Bob Barrett Men’s Apparel has been dressing Fort McMurray’s gentlemen in the finest threads with its top choices in contemporary clothing for over 25 years. The store has a long list of items from suits to outerwear with brand names like Kenneth

The Hangingstone River in Fort McMurray

By Dawn Booth
Oct 13, 2018

Revitalization showcased through award-winning bridges in the city’s lower townsite The Hangingstone River is iconic to Fort McMurray and draws in a wide range of people from residents to tourists to photographers to architects. Located in the city’s lower townsite, the Hangingstone is one of the five, local rivers, which also includes

Prime Test Kitchen at the Merit Hotel and Suites

By Dawn Booth
Oct 06, 2018

The Prime Social Group rebuilds its establishments after the Wildfire Prime Test Kitchen (PTK) has been tantalizing the taste buds of local foodies, and frequent travelers, since opening its doors in the Spring of 2018. Located at 8220 Franklin Avenue and within the Merit Hotel and Suites franchise, the restaurant caters regularly

Points North Gallery - Downtown Fort McMurray

By Dawn Booth
Sep 29, 2018

Local gallery showcases the works of Canadian talent Points North Gallery is a local art gallery, gift store, wool shop and framing businesses located in downtown Fort McMurray at 10015 Centennial Drive. Walking into the Gallery is like stepping into a visual portal of local and regional expression. It’s well-known in the

Downtown Highlights: Cedars Restaurant

By Dawn Booth
Sep 08, 2018

Cedars Bakery and Restaurant at The River Station Cedars Bakery and Restaurant offers Fort McMurray residents a one-of-a-kind, Lebanese cuisine eatery with a variety of meats, nuts, signature coffee, and tobacco products. Located at 51-8102 Fraser Avenue, Cedars opened in July 2015 to become a part of the group of local residential

Peter Pond Shopping Centre

By Dawn Booth
Sep 05, 2018

Fort Mac's Premier Shopping Mall Since 1981, the Fort McMurray community has been home to a large-scale retail shopping mall with the development of the Peter Pond Shopping Centre. The mall's name comes from the American explorer Peter Pond, who lived between 1740 and 1807. He was known for founding Fort Chipewyan

The TOTAL Aboriginal Interpretive Trail on MacDonald Island

By Dawn Booth
Aug 25, 2018

A Tribute to Aboriginal Culture Fort McMurray is rich with history and the community recently honoured the region's first residents through an artistic and educational walking trail. In the fall of 2016, the TOTAL Aboriginal Interpretive Trail held its grand opening, after redeveloping the existing trail to showcase the work of western

Fort McMurray Highlights: Earls Restaurant

By Dawn Booth
Aug 19, 2018

Earls Restaurant – Downtown Fort McMurray Earls Restaurant has two Fort McMurray locations – one downtown at 9802 Morrison Street since 2005 and the latest within the Air Terminal Building at the YMM International Airport at 100 Snowbird Way, which opened in 2014. The first-ever Earls restaurant opened over 30 years ago

Downtown Highlights - Mitchell’s Café

By Dawn Booth
Aug 04, 2018

Mitchell’s Café - Home to the Famous Sunshine Bread Mitchell’s Café is a breakfast and lunch eatery found in the heart of downtown Fort McMurray. Locals and tourists have claimed it as the “best café in town for lunch” and boasted that “the bread is worth the trip alone.” Famous for their

Fort McMurray Highlights: Heritage Village

By Dawn Booth
Jul 28, 2018

Heritage Village – A Place to Explore Fort McMurray’s Rich History Fort McMurray Historical Society’s Heritage Village transports guests back in time to what life once was for the residents of the Wood Buffalo region. The Society is a non-profit organization that operates both the Heritage Shipyard and Heritage Village. According to

MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray

By Dawn Booth
Jul 14, 2018

Fort McMurray's Entertainment Hub Situated on the banks of the junction of the Clearwater River and Athabasca River is Canada’s largest community recreation, leisure, and social centre – MacDonald Island Park. This year marks the Island’s 40th year anniversary of being Fort McMurray’s recreation hotspot. According to the Regional Recreation Corporation of Wood

Downtown Highlights: Surekha's on the Snye

By Dawn Booth
Jun 23, 2018

Café on the River The newly-opened Surekha’s on the Snye is the first eatery available alongside the Clearwater River. It’s a café and restaurant with a view of the Snye Point Park like no other. Syne Point Park officially opened for the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games and the Games athletes for

Fort McMurray Highlights: Tim Hortons

By Dawn Booth
Jun 04, 2018

The Local Quartet of Timmies Fort McMurray residents love their Double Doubles, so much so that it’s a rarity to walk into a local Tim Hortons’ and not stand in line to order. According to the coffee franchise giant, the first Tim Hortons’ opened in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964. In the beginning,

Downtown Highlights: Heritage Shipyard

By Dawn Booth
May 19, 2018

Shipyard seasonal opening launches for long weekend The Fort McMurray Historical Society’s marine park museum opens today to allow guests to explore their showcased ships and train cars for its 2018 season. Since 2014, the Fort McMurray Heritage Shipyard has provided residents and tourists with a first-hand look at the region’s rich

Downtown Highlights: Boomtown Casino

By Dawn Booth
May 12, 2018

Local casino celebrates forty years booming Found in the heart of downtown Fort McMurray, the Boomtown Casino marks 2018 with its 40-year milestone of bringing gambling entertainment to the community. When first established, Boomtown was a portable, set-up event with various venues hosting gaming nights throughout the city, on a rotation basis.