Northern Stars 2014

77
U P  I N T H E  AIR From mail bag service othe Snye waterway to a brand new terminal, we celebrate 85 years of aviation in Wood Bualo Northern Expansion  Avi ati on pla ys an unp rec ede nte d role in opening Canada’s north Behind the Scenes How a dedicated team keeps the airport running A BY THE NUMBERS LOOK AT FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S GROWTH

Transcript of Northern Stars 2014

Page 1: Northern Stars 2014

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UP INTHE AIR

From mail bag service off theSnye waterway to a brand new

terminal we celebrate 85 yearsof aviation in Wood Buffalo

Northern Expansion Aviation plays an unprecedented

role in opening Canadarsquos north

Behind the ScenesHow a dedicated team

keeps the airport running

A BY983085THE983085NUMBERS LOOK AT FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTrsquoS GROWT

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From custom pipe fabrication and modularization for processing facilities to ensuring our

resource-rich land is safely restored to its natural state Aecon is a proud partner in Albertarsquos

oilsands We are Canadarsquos premier construction and infrastructure development company and

wersquore driven by our number one core value ndash SAFETY FIRST Wersquore committed to safely providing

construction solutions for every aspect of mining in todayrsquos oilsands

om p tsuom crF

h lcir-ercuoesr

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n soi tcur tsnoc

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d tero tesy rlefas sd inah l

r ceimers prsquoadanae Cre a

e vroe cnr oebmur nuy on b

epsy arevr eos fnoi tulon s

sescorr pon foi taziraluod

ce Ae ta tl saru tas n to id t

r tsarfnd inn aoi tcur tsno

e ndashulae v TSRFIYTFEAS

s orsquoyaodn tg ininif m t oce

g onirusno ees ti tilicag fnis

n Ar ien trad puors a pn ioc

om t cnepmloeeve dru tcur

fao sd te t timome crrsquoeW

sdnasils o

rug o

rsquoa

d

trebln A

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gnidivory plef

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CONTENTS bull FALL 2014

ON THE COVER

Fort McMurrayrsquos beautiful new airport terminal

PHOTO Ema Peter

7 MESSAGES

Welcome messages from the chair of the Fort McMurray

Airport Authority and premier of Alberta

20 AIR OIL SANDS

Fort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviation

access to the Wood Buffalo Region

39 YOUR DAILY COMMUTE

In the remote Wood Buffalo Region flight provides

one of the safest modes of travel

69 NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP

Amidst unprecedented growth

YMM accommodates the future

72 THEN AND NOW

A by-the-numbers look at the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

8 BUSH PILOTS AND ENTREPRENEURS

A rich history of aviation has opened up

the Wood Buffalo Region

24 CHANGE IN THE AIR

Scott Clements and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

deliver on their promise for air service excellence

32 FROM THE GROUND UP

Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Air port Authority

helps deliver on promises for air service excellence

43 INSIDE YMM

From dishin g up pizza to removing snow we take a look

at the people and services that run Fort McMurray

International Ai rport

61 BOREAL GATEWAY

Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects and

designers on its award-winning design concept for the

Fort McMurray International A irport

COLUMNS

FEATURES

6143

24 8

3NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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10259-105 Street

Edmonton AB T5J 1E3

Tel 780-990-0839 Fax 780-425-4921

httpventurepublishingca

NORTHERN STARS

RUTH KELLY

Publisher

MIFI PURVIS

Director of Custom Magazines

LYNDSIE BOURGON

Managing Editor

CHARLES BURKE

Art Director

ANDREA DEBOER

Associate Art Director

COLIN SPENCE

Associate Art Director

BETTY FENIAK SMITH

Production Coordinator

BRENT FELZIEN BRANDON HOOVER

Production Technicians

Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands B anquet

celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Buffalo

Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture

Publishing and Westbrier Communications The 2014 honouree isFort McMurray Airport Authority To be placed on a list to receive more

information about the banquet and the organizations it supports

email westbriershawca

VENTURE PUBLISHING INC

WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS

PHIL ENARSON

Event Management amp Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robin Brunet Ca itlin Crawshaw Robbie Jeffrey Allyson Myggland Neil Taylor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alberta Aviation Museum Fort McMurray Historical Society

Greg Halinda Ema Peter

SHELDON SCHROEDER

Chair Board of Directors

SCOTT CLEMENTS

President and CEO

YMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From bush pilots to jet linersYMM has

been opening up Wood Buffalo to the

world for 85 years

Congratulations and our sincere appreciation

to the early pioneers in aviation

wwwnexencnoocltdcom

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

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Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

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FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

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respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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accommodations in an open

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services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

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1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

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bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 2: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 276

From custom pipe fabrication and modularization for processing facilities to ensuring our

resource-rich land is safely restored to its natural state Aecon is a proud partner in Albertarsquos

oilsands We are Canadarsquos premier construction and infrastructure development company and

wersquore driven by our number one core value ndash SAFETY FIRST Wersquore committed to safely providing

construction solutions for every aspect of mining in todayrsquos oilsands

om p tsuom crF

h lcir-ercuoesr

e a Wsdnasilo

n bevire drrsquoew

n soi tcur tsnoc

odd mnn aoi tacirbae fpiom p

d tero tesy rlefas sd inah l

r ceimers prsquoadanae Cre a

e vroe cnr oebmur nuy on b

epsy arevr eos fnoi tulon s

sescorr pon foi taziraluod

ce Ae ta tl saru tas n to id t

r tsarfnd inn aoi tcur tsno

e ndashulae v TSRFIYTFEAS

s orsquoyaodn tg ininif m t oce

g onirusno ees ti tilicag fnis

n Ar ien trad puors a pn ioc

om t cnepmloeeve dru tcur

fao sd te t timome crrsquoeW

sdnasils o

rug o

rsquoa

d

trebln A

y anapom

gnidivory plef

py a

yg i

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 376

CONTENTS bull FALL 2014

ON THE COVER

Fort McMurrayrsquos beautiful new airport terminal

PHOTO Ema Peter

7 MESSAGES

Welcome messages from the chair of the Fort McMurray

Airport Authority and premier of Alberta

20 AIR OIL SANDS

Fort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviation

access to the Wood Buffalo Region

39 YOUR DAILY COMMUTE

In the remote Wood Buffalo Region flight provides

one of the safest modes of travel

69 NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP

Amidst unprecedented growth

YMM accommodates the future

72 THEN AND NOW

A by-the-numbers look at the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

8 BUSH PILOTS AND ENTREPRENEURS

A rich history of aviation has opened up

the Wood Buffalo Region

24 CHANGE IN THE AIR

Scott Clements and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

deliver on their promise for air service excellence

32 FROM THE GROUND UP

Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Air port Authority

helps deliver on promises for air service excellence

43 INSIDE YMM

From dishin g up pizza to removing snow we take a look

at the people and services that run Fort McMurray

International Ai rport

61 BOREAL GATEWAY

Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects and

designers on its award-winning design concept for the

Fort McMurray International A irport

COLUMNS

FEATURES

6143

24 8

3NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 576

10259-105 Street

Edmonton AB T5J 1E3

Tel 780-990-0839 Fax 780-425-4921

httpventurepublishingca

NORTHERN STARS

RUTH KELLY

Publisher

MIFI PURVIS

Director of Custom Magazines

LYNDSIE BOURGON

Managing Editor

CHARLES BURKE

Art Director

ANDREA DEBOER

Associate Art Director

COLIN SPENCE

Associate Art Director

BETTY FENIAK SMITH

Production Coordinator

BRENT FELZIEN BRANDON HOOVER

Production Technicians

Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands B anquet

celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Buffalo

Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture

Publishing and Westbrier Communications The 2014 honouree isFort McMurray Airport Authority To be placed on a list to receive more

information about the banquet and the organizations it supports

email westbriershawca

VENTURE PUBLISHING INC

WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS

PHIL ENARSON

Event Management amp Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robin Brunet Ca itlin Crawshaw Robbie Jeffrey Allyson Myggland Neil Taylor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alberta Aviation Museum Fort McMurray Historical Society

Greg Halinda Ema Peter

SHELDON SCHROEDER

Chair Board of Directors

SCOTT CLEMENTS

President and CEO

YMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From bush pilots to jet linersYMM has

been opening up Wood Buffalo to the

world for 85 years

Congratulations and our sincere appreciation

to the early pioneers in aviation

wwwnexencnoocltdcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1076

The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 3: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONTENTS bull FALL 2014

ON THE COVER

Fort McMurrayrsquos beautiful new airport terminal

PHOTO Ema Peter

7 MESSAGES

Welcome messages from the chair of the Fort McMurray

Airport Authority and premier of Alberta

20 AIR OIL SANDS

Fort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviation

access to the Wood Buffalo Region

39 YOUR DAILY COMMUTE

In the remote Wood Buffalo Region flight provides

one of the safest modes of travel

69 NOWHERE TO GO BUT UP

Amidst unprecedented growth

YMM accommodates the future

72 THEN AND NOW

A by-the-numbers look at the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

8 BUSH PILOTS AND ENTREPRENEURS

A rich history of aviation has opened up

the Wood Buffalo Region

24 CHANGE IN THE AIR

Scott Clements and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

deliver on their promise for air service excellence

32 FROM THE GROUND UP

Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Air port Authority

helps deliver on promises for air service excellence

43 INSIDE YMM

From dishin g up pizza to removing snow we take a look

at the people and services that run Fort McMurray

International Ai rport

61 BOREAL GATEWAY

Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects and

designers on its award-winning design concept for the

Fort McMurray International A irport

COLUMNS

FEATURES

6143

24 8

3NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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10259-105 Street

Edmonton AB T5J 1E3

Tel 780-990-0839 Fax 780-425-4921

httpventurepublishingca

NORTHERN STARS

RUTH KELLY

Publisher

MIFI PURVIS

Director of Custom Magazines

LYNDSIE BOURGON

Managing Editor

CHARLES BURKE

Art Director

ANDREA DEBOER

Associate Art Director

COLIN SPENCE

Associate Art Director

BETTY FENIAK SMITH

Production Coordinator

BRENT FELZIEN BRANDON HOOVER

Production Technicians

Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands B anquet

celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Buffalo

Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture

Publishing and Westbrier Communications The 2014 honouree isFort McMurray Airport Authority To be placed on a list to receive more

information about the banquet and the organizations it supports

email westbriershawca

VENTURE PUBLISHING INC

WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS

PHIL ENARSON

Event Management amp Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robin Brunet Ca itlin Crawshaw Robbie Jeffrey Allyson Myggland Neil Taylor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alberta Aviation Museum Fort McMurray Historical Society

Greg Halinda Ema Peter

SHELDON SCHROEDER

Chair Board of Directors

SCOTT CLEMENTS

President and CEO

YMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From bush pilots to jet linersYMM has

been opening up Wood Buffalo to the

world for 85 years

Congratulations and our sincere appreciation

to the early pioneers in aviation

wwwnexencnoocltdcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 4: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 576

10259-105 Street

Edmonton AB T5J 1E3

Tel 780-990-0839 Fax 780-425-4921

httpventurepublishingca

NORTHERN STARS

RUTH KELLY

Publisher

MIFI PURVIS

Director of Custom Magazines

LYNDSIE BOURGON

Managing Editor

CHARLES BURKE

Art Director

ANDREA DEBOER

Associate Art Director

COLIN SPENCE

Associate Art Director

BETTY FENIAK SMITH

Production Coordinator

BRENT FELZIEN BRANDON HOOVER

Production Technicians

Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands B anquet

celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Buffalo

Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture

Publishing and Westbrier Communications The 2014 honouree isFort McMurray Airport Authority To be placed on a list to receive more

information about the banquet and the organizations it supports

email westbriershawca

VENTURE PUBLISHING INC

WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS

PHIL ENARSON

Event Management amp Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robin Brunet Ca itlin Crawshaw Robbie Jeffrey Allyson Myggland Neil Taylor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alberta Aviation Museum Fort McMurray Historical Society

Greg Halinda Ema Peter

SHELDON SCHROEDER

Chair Board of Directors

SCOTT CLEMENTS

President and CEO

YMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From bush pilots to jet linersYMM has

been opening up Wood Buffalo to the

world for 85 years

Congratulations and our sincere appreciation

to the early pioneers in aviation

wwwnexencnoocltdcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 776

Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1076

The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 5: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 576

10259-105 Street

Edmonton AB T5J 1E3

Tel 780-990-0839 Fax 780-425-4921

httpventurepublishingca

NORTHERN STARS

RUTH KELLY

Publisher

MIFI PURVIS

Director of Custom Magazines

LYNDSIE BOURGON

Managing Editor

CHARLES BURKE

Art Director

ANDREA DEBOER

Associate Art Director

COLIN SPENCE

Associate Art Director

BETTY FENIAK SMITH

Production Coordinator

BRENT FELZIEN BRANDON HOOVER

Production Technicians

Northern Stars is the annual publication of the Oilsands B anquet

celebrating corporate and community leadership in Wood Buffalo

Northern Stars is published through a collaboration between Venture

Publishing and Westbrier Communications The 2014 honouree isFort McMurray Airport Authority To be placed on a list to receive more

information about the banquet and the organizations it supports

email westbriershawca

VENTURE PUBLISHING INC

WESTBRIER COMMUNICATIONS

PHIL ENARSON

Event Management amp Marketing

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robin Brunet Ca itlin Crawshaw Robbie Jeffrey Allyson Myggland Neil Taylor

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alberta Aviation Museum Fort McMurray Historical Society

Greg Halinda Ema Peter

SHELDON SCHROEDER

Chair Board of Directors

SCOTT CLEMENTS

President and CEO

YMM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

From bush pilots to jet linersYMM has

been opening up Wood Buffalo to the

world for 85 years

Congratulations and our sincere appreciation

to the early pioneers in aviation

wwwnexencnoocltdcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 776

Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 976

N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 6: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ELEVATING AVIATION

TO A NEW ALTITUDEThe bright red Snowbird at the entrance to the new Fort McMurrayInternational Airport is a great symbol for what pioneering aviationhas always meant to our region

GutsDetermination Vision

Shell Albian Sands congratulates the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo and the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on 85 years of highperformance aviation services

Great People Great Place Great Community

Shell Canada Energy is 60 owner and operator of the Athabasca Oil Sands

Project (AOSP) along with Chevron Canada Limited (20) and Marathon Oil

Corporation (20) AOSP includes Shell Albian Sands (Muskeg River Mine amp

Jackpine Mine) and the Scotford Upgrader

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 7: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 776

Welcome Messages

T

HE FORT MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORI TY IS A NOT983085FOR983085PROFIT

organization that owns and operates the Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM)

The Airport Authority strives to best connect the people who live and work in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo to all major urban centres and economies around the world

Steady growth in natural resource development in our region continues to drive an increase in

the amount of people traveling and using our airport Nearly ten years ago it was recognized that

transportation infrastructure was needed to support the new developments and accommodate the

population growth On June 9 2014 our new airport terminal opened in Fort McMurray marking the

beginn ing of our airport improvements and expansion In 2013 the airpor t project alone injected $585

million in direct labor income into the economy While the economic impact of the Airport Authority

extends outside of the airport property line we do have 35 aviation related businesses located on the

airport campus

The state-of-the-art new terminal is equipped to handle 15 million passengers annually Currently

we are seeing volumes over 1 million passengers at the new termina l with nearly another 30000 0

passengers on corporate charters that continue to use the older North terminal With an annual

volume approaching 13 million we are Canadarsquos 16th-busiest airport Ex pansion plans are already

being developed to add additional capacity to the new terminalIn 2014 we are striving towards achieving our vision becoming Canadarsquos premier regional airport

We recognize that we are the first and last impression many visitors will have of the region and

ensuring our customers have a positive air travel experience is one of our key success drivers As we

grow and expand to meet the demands of our region we will work with our stakeholders whose input

and support is critical in the ongoing development our airport We will continue to meet the challenges

of supporting one of the major economic generators of the country

HANKS TO OUR ABUNDANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALBERTA HAS

the potential to be a global powerhouse in energy and agriculture Wersquore home to the

majority of Canadarsquos proven oil reserves mostly concentrated here in the northern

part of our province The oil sands are a key driver of Canadarsquos economy contributing

billions of dolla rs and thousa nds of jobs across the countr y

Albert a is an attr active pla ce to do business and our gover nment wil l continue to create an

environment that encourages investment in our oil sands We wil l work to maximize the va lue

of Albertarsquos natural resources ndash for our generation and the next When companies invest in our

resources families benefit and communities thrive Wood Buffalo region is proof of this it is

made up of community and business leaders who celebrate diversity innovation and provide

opportunities for people to succeed

As a province it is imperative we al so invest in our most impor tant resource ndash our people

Wersquore train ing more apprentices helpin g under-represented A lberta ns find work attra ctin g

Canadians and skilled workers from abroad and continuing to work closely with First Nations

and Metis communities to build economic partnerships founded on sound environmental

principles

This strong foundation is what attracts the world to our doorstep I know that you the civic

and industry leaders of northern Alberta are poised to harness the opportunities that exist

here and take flight into a prosperous future

T

Sheldon Schroeder

Chair Board of Directors Fort McMurray Airport Authority

Honourable Jim Prentice

Premier of Alberta

7The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet NORTHERN STARS

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 876

BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 976

N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1076

The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1276

ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

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Whether you require full

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have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 8: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 876

BUSH PILOTS (Top)

Lt Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquoMay

in 1917 (Bottom left) Wop

May and Jack Bowen pullinga plane out of the Snye

(Bottom right) One of the first

planes landing on the Snye

circa 1924

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION8 FlyYMMcom

FirstFlight

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 976

N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1076

The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1176

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

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rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

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g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 9: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY A GROUP

of Calgary businessmen looking for oppor-

tunity in Canadarsquos North followed up on a

prospectorrsquos claim of gold in the Barren Lands

of the Northwest Territories They called up pilot

JS Caldwell and shipped a Vickers Viking biplane

amphibian named ldquoBouncing Broncordquo to Lac La

Biche where it was assembled During the summer

of 1925 Caldwell flew over a great sprawling

expanse of land southeast of Great Slave Lake

looking for signs of the prospectorrsquos claim

Wh ile h e ca me up dr y the vent ure repre sente d ju st t he f irst in a long lin e

of aeronautical contributions to the economic development of the Wood

Buffalo Region

Since Fort McMurrayrsquos establishment as a Hudsonrsquos Bay Company fur

trading post in 1870 trappers and traders plied the major water courses

(the Athabasca Clearwater Peace and Slave Rivers) carving navigable

routes through the northern Alberta hinterland In 1919 the Alberta

and Great Waterways Railroad pushed north from Edmonton

to its terminus at Waterways As a result many northern

shippers began shifting their business to the railw ay

But while rail and later road links connected

By Neil Taylor

BushPilots and

EntrepreneursA rich history of aviation has opened up the Wood Buffalo Region

I

9NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1076

The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1176

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

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rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 10: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The Wright Brothers make the very

first airplane flight

over Kitty Hawk

North Carolina

Sixty letters are sent from

Vancouver to Seattle by pilot

Bill Boeingrsquos Model C airplane

Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins is

assigned to Fort McMurray to

explore the potential of airmail

service in the north

Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May and Vic Horne

deliver medical

supplies to Fort

Vermilion during a

diphtheria outbreak

1903 1919 JANUARY 1929 MAY 1929

Fort McMurray with the populated south it was

aviation that enabled Fort McMurray to become

a major staging area and supply base for Canadarsquos

northern people and natural resources

One of the first bush pilots to operate in the

Region was Clennell ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins a pilot

credited with the destruction of seven enemy

aircraft during the First World War After

conducting a pioneering 1928 aerial exploration

of the Barren Lands Dickins was assigned to Fort

McMurray by Western Canada Air ways in January

1929 to explore the potential for airmail service

from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and down the

Mackenzie River basin to Aklavik

Western Canad a Air ways was not th e only air

transport company operating in Fort McMurray

at the time Commercial Airways Ltd was formed

in 1928 by Cy Becker Vic Horner and Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May of Edmonton

In 1929 May and Horner undertook the famous mercy flight to Fort

Vermilion deliv ering medic al supplies to combat a diphth eria outbreak

in the community

ldquoThe pilots engineers and their families were true pioneersrdquo says

Denny May Wop Mayrsquos son and author of More Stories of Wop May

ldquoYou made do with what you had or could make ndash a spruce tree on

occasion became a strut for a wing or an undercarriage You had to be

resourceful and not let the difficulties get you down It was a tough life

People helped each other and everybody was a friendrdquo

Wh ile merc y f lig hts w ere o ne as pec t of C ommerc ia l A ir way srsquo

operations the owners believed that commercial success would only

come with the acquisition of lucrative government contracts to deliver

mail As a result Commercial Airways moved its headquarters to Fort

McMurray where it was awarded a contract to provide airmail services

along the Mackenzie River On December 10 1929 the first official flight

along the new 2697-kilometre mail route was taken ndash it would be the

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION10 FlyYMMcom

FLY BOYS Matt Berry and

Frank Hartley standing beside

a plane loaded with fur bales

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

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ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 11: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1276

ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

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Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

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Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 12: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1276

ldquoThe early airmail allowed people in the

North to feel and be a part of Canadardquondash Denny May

longest farthest north mail route in the world

for many years ldquoThe early airmail a llowed people

in the North to feel and be a part of Canada rdquo

says May

Whi le airma il serv ice was a major revenue

source for early aviators flying from Fort

McMurray it was not their only means of income

The RCMP and Department of the Interior often

moved personnel and equipment by air to northern

postings The fledgling

tourism industry saw big

game hunters ferried intothe Nahanni district during

the summer while trappers

used aircraft to access remote trap lines flying

in their dog teams and supplies and shipping out

their furs

One of the most lucrative ventures for northern

aviators was transporting prospectors and mineral

exploration teams into some of the most isolated

desolate terrain in northern Canada The most

famous mineral discovery in the Northwest

Territories was made on a flight by Punch Dickins

in late September 1929 Dickins flew in to Great

Bear Lake to retrieve Gilbert LaBine the owner of

Eldorado Gold Mines Ltd On the flight out LaBine

spotted an area of heavy mineralization along the

southeast shore and asked Dickins if he could find the spot ag ain

In 1930 while other prospecting part ies were scouting Great Bear

Lake it was Gilbert LaBine who discovered the deposit of pitchblende

(a mixture of radium a nd uranium) that ulti mately became the

Eldorado Mine

As the Great Depression took hold consolidat ion occurred i n the

aviation sector starting in November 1930 when Western Canada

Air ways was reorg aniz ed as Canad ian Ai rways The following Ma y

Commercial Air ways was absorbed by Canadian Air ways There

were also new operators soa ring t he Regionrsquos

skies Spence- McDonough Air Transport was

established in 1931 by Bill Spence and MacMcDonough two pilots who had flown for failed

mining exploration firms Also that year Grant

McConachie began hauling fish from a Saskatchewan lake to the railway

at Cheecham just south of Fort McMurray During the winter of 1934-35

with four pla nes working six da ys a week he hauled ha lf a mill ion

kilograms of fish

By 1937 the Snye a backwater channel between the Athabasca and

Clearwater Rivers at Fort McMurray was a bustling water aerodrome

With four float ing docks accommoda ting 18 to 20 ai rcraf t it was

Canadarsquos largest commercial a irbase It became the logical ju mping

off point for numerous supply missions to fur trading posts mines

lodges military outposts and First Nation settlements throughout the

Northwest Territories The float or ski-equipped bush plane was king of

the air a round Fort McMurray but further change was i n the making

Canadian Air ways envisioned permanent land-based airport facil-

SEPTEMBER 1929 DECEMBER 1929 NOVEMBER 1930

Dickins flies the owner of Eldorado

Gold Mines Ltd over the NWT

discovering a mineral deposit of

pitchblende that became the

famous Eldorado Mine

Wop May takes the first official

airmail route

Western Canada Airways is

reorganized as

Canadian

Airways

New operators are established

including Spence-McDonough

Air Transport

WATER LANDING

Punch Dickins and Bill

Publicover in front of

a Fokker G-CASM

Photo courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION12 FlyYMMcom

1931

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

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Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 13: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1376

Canadian Natural

is proud to support

The Oilsands Banquet VIII

Wersquod like to send our best wishes

to the Fort McMurray Airport

Authority and thank the

organization for its work

to develop aviation in the

AthabascaWood Buffalo region

over the past 85 years

Congratulations on the newInternational Terminal

wwwcnrlcom

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Canadian Naturalis committed to operating

responsibly and ensuring we conduct business

in a manner that demonstrates our mission of

ldquodoing it right rdquo

We adhere to the principles of continuous

improvement efficient operations and

technological innovation

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1476

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

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Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 14: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION14 FlyYMMcom

The Snye becomes Canadarsquos largest

commercial airbase

In January the Canadian Pacific

Railway Company acquires

Canadian Airways Yukon Southern

Air Transport and eight others

forming Canadian Pacific Airlines

Wardair purchases two Boeing 70

and names one lsquoPunch Dickinsrsquo an

the other lsquoWop Mayrsquo

Trans-Canada Airlines changes its

name to Air Canada

In the post-war period an all-

weather airstrip opens in

Fort Chipewyan

1937 196819651942

ities throughout the Mackenzie River basin and

Yukon Southern Ai r Transpor t had scouted and

begun con struct ion of a series of airfield s between

Edmonton and the Yukon In January 1942 the

Canadian Pacific R ailway Company acquired

Canadian Air ways Yukon Southern Air Transport

and eight other companies to form

Canadian Pacific Airlines By the

summer of 1942 an all-season

wheel-based a irfield wa s nearin g

completion at Fort McMurray when

the US Army Corps of Engineers

arrived upon the scene

With wa r in the Paci fic the US A rmy was

worried about Al askarsquos securit y and the v ulner-

ability of shipping along the West Coast A push

was made to constr uct a stri ng of air fields across

Albert a Briti sh Columbia and the Territor ies for

ferrying military aircraf t and supplying the Canol

pipeline project

In the post-war period Canadian Pacific

Airli nes evolved into a wheeled ai rline serv ice

and gradually withdrew from bush operations

leaving these routes to other mid- and small-sized

operators including Pacific Western Airlines

The infrastructure supporting aviation in the

Wood Buffalo Re gion also conti nued to grow with

the addition of a new all-weather airstrip at Fort

Chipewyan in 1965

Today there are just under 30 airstrips operating in the Wood

Buffalo Region Several of these strips a re maintained by the Ministry

of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for firefighting

purposes Others serve fishing lodges and First Nations settlements

Some of the newer larger airstrips are privately owned by oil companies

involved in development of the Athabasca oil sands Several of these

strips are capable of handling planes as

large as Boeing 7 37s which ferry personne

into and out of the camps mines and

upgrader sites

Investment in Canadarsquos oil sands

is massive and the population of Fort

McMurray is burgeoning Local airlines and air transport companies

provide ongoing air service to the Wood Buffalo Region and other

northern communities building on the legacy of the early aviation

pioneers in this part of the North

By 1937 the Snye was a bustling wateraerodrome With four floating docks

accommodating 18-20 aircraft it wasCanadarsquos largest commercial airbase

NORTHERN GATEWAY

(Left) Stan McMillan standing

with a blow pot

(Right) Punch Dickins

All photos courtesy the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

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Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 15: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1576

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

WestJet is founded by

a team of Calgarian

entrepreneurs

The ribbon is cut on the new

Fort McMurray International

Airport terminal

1996 June 1 2014

FAMOUS PILOTS IN

FORT MCMU RRAY As a major gateway to Canadarsquos north Fort

McMurray was visited by many of Canadarsquos

aviation greats Several of them used it as a base

of operations while others simply passed through

at various points in their illustrious careers

Wilfrid Reid ldquoWoprdquo May He participated in

the search for the Mad Trapper (Albert Johnson)

the RCMPrsquos first aerial manhunt May established

Commercial Airways of Edmonton and operated

the airmail route down the Mackenzie River from

the companyrsquos base in Fort McMurray

Clennell Haggerston ldquoPunchrdquo Dickins

Also a First World War aviator he held firsts fo r a

number of feats ndash flying across the Barren Landsof the No rthwest Territories flying the entire

length of the Mackenzie River and flying

prospectors into Great Bear Lake

Arthur Massey ldquoMattrdquo Berry He was involved

in a number of daring rescues including that of

fellow pilot Con Farrel and engineer F Hartley

who were stranded for 11 days in the Barren

Lands in 1935

Harold Rex Terpening An engineer not a

pilot he helped keep the early bush planes flyingduring the worst conditions imaginable and with

only his own ingenuity to guide him

Wilfred Leigh Brintnell During the Second

World War his company Aircraft Repair main-

tained and repaired many of the military aircraft

based in and flying through Edmonton on the

Northwest Staging Route

Stanley Ransom ldquoStanrdquo McMillan He was a

pilot on the ill-fated 1929 MacAlpine Expedition

stranded in the Barren Lands for seven weeks until

members managed to walk out to Cambridge Bay

on the Arctic coast

Flying with us has its rewards

Join WestJet Rewards to earn WestJet dollarsreg on your next flight

or vacation package

Join today at westjetcomrewards

reg Registered trademark of WestJet Airlines Ltd

From | De gt

Boarding Time | Heure drsquoembarquement gt OCT 16 20 14

Canadarsquos Energ y Capital

Unlimited Opportunities

Celebrating 85 Years of

A viation in Wood Buffalo

To | Destination gt

Boarding Pass |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

|||||||

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 16: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1676

FirstFlight

TOUCHDOWN (Top)

Aircraft on the Snye as winter

approaches courtesy Alberta

Aviation Museum (Bottom

right) Two pontoon planesdocked on the Snye c 1940

courtesy the Fort McMurray

Historical Society (Bottom

left) Canadian Airways base

c 1930 (Opposite) aircraft

docked on the Snye near Fort

McMurray c 1930s courtesy

Alberta Aviation Museum

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION16 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 17: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1776

N A CALM DAY THE SNYErsquoS

glassy surface is the per fect

natural complement to the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo In

summer itrsquos where much of the city goes to swim

float or paddle alongside friends and family In

winter it makes for an idea l

ice skating rink The Snye

River is a body of water

that at one time linked the

Athabas ca and Clea rwater

rivers Today a damn stops it short of connecting

the two and it functions more as a lake In Fort

McMurrayrsquos long history it has t raditionally served

as a community hub ldquoThatrsquos where all the kids

hung out in town That w as our playgroundrdquo says

Jack ldquoTorchyrdquo Peden vice president of the Fort

McMurray Historical Society

The Snye also plays a key role in the regionrsquos

history Along its banks in 1899 representatives

of the Queen of England and more than two dozen

First Nations communities signed Treaty 8 In the

By Lyndsie Bourgon

WaterfrontHub The Snye waterway plays an important role inFort McMurrayrsquos aviation history

Odays of exploration and trapping its relatively placid waters provided a good

spot to dock small watercraft Trappers would boat into the Snye and park along

its shores over the summer while they worked in the regionrsquos shipyards

ldquoA lot of people in the town used watercraft because t here were no roads

in the areardquo says Peden ldquoThey would use the river system for getting out for

hunting recreation and as a means of getting somewhererdquo

As th e to w nrsquos ma in tr an sp or t hu b th e Sn ye wa s a n

incredibly busy place The Hudsonrsquos Bay Company used to

tie up its boats along the river and there was an outpost

nearby along the shore of the Athabasca R iver Eventually

the outpost became the airport with floatplanes landing and

docking on the Snye as they brought in supplies and mail Companies including

Pacific Western McMurray Air Ser vices and Contact Airways were based on the

Snye and flew throughout the north ldquoThey were shipping mail taking trappers

out to their lines shuttling sport f ishermen and working with the forestry

service to monitor firesrdquo says Peden ldquoMail was a big thi ng ndash a lot of it was

dispersed from Fort McMurray and flown all the way up to places like

Tuktoyuktukrdquo

As natu ral resource e xploration in t he area flouri shed into the

early 1900s so too did the aviation industry Fort McMurray

became one of the busiest and l argest aerod romes in all

of Canada in this period Tom Morimoto worked

As natural resource exploration in thearea flourished into the early-1900s

so too did the aviation industry

17NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

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rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 18: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1876

FlyYMMcom

BUILDINGFORT MCMURRAYTOGETHERCONGRATULATIONS YMMCelebrating 85 years ofaviation in Wood Buffalo

for Canadian Airways as a radio operator from

1935 to 1937 and found himself becoming close

friends with some of Canadarsquos most iconic pilots

including Wilfrid ldquoWoprdquo May ldquoWersquod all call them

by their nicknamesrdquo Morimoto says from his

home in Kelowna BC ldquoWhen I was the assistant

at the station I used to run around and take

messages to the pilots sometimes in the middle

of the night I got to know them quite well

ldquoIt was routine for usrdquo Morimoto says of

planes landing on the Snye ldquoIt was just the

airportrdquo

With technologica l advancements in flight

that quickly began to change ldquoIt just continually

grewrdquo Peden says ldquoI watched it as a young man

down there when I would work with aircraft

operators to help them unload and tie up the

planes We didnrsquot get paid much but we got to go

on trips sometimes and that was a big eventrdquo

As air travel modernized it outgrew what

the Snye could offer Larger airlines began using

wheeled planes instead and the focus of air travel

eventually became Fort McMurrayrsquos land-bound

runways ldquoIt was a loss of something a very tradi-

tional way of life for a long timerdquo Peden says ldquoIt

was sort of sad to see it gordquo Still he notes that the

Snyersquos effect on aviation history is undeniable ldquoIf

you go into other airports across Canada yoursquoll

see photos of airplanes on the Snyerdquo he says

Built in the mid-1960s to prov ide access toMacDonald Island the MacDonald Island land

bridge dams the Snye which continues to host

watercraft and float-planes Though it no longer

connects the regionrsquos two great rivers the Snye is

still a link between Fort McMurray its history and

its great natural surroundings

A YEAR OF FLIGHT

Also in 1929 the Boeing Company formed Boeing

Aircraft Canada and produced the first transport planes

in Western Canada Over the ensuing years Boeing

expanded its operations in Canada building a manu-

facturing facility near the Fraser River Eighty-five years

later Boeing is still an iconic Canadian company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 19: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 1976

Fly in Stay with UsClean Harbors Lodging has many executive lodges north and south of Fort

McMurray and conveniently located near several major Oilsands projects Each

lodge offers a wide variety of interactive amenities excellent food and spaciousrooms that let you relax in comfort Wersquove got you covered All you need to do

is tuck yourself in

R uth Lake Lodge

26 km north of Fort McMurray

Sierra Select Lodge

65 km north of Fort McMurray

Reserve your rooms todayCall 3101999 or emailLodgingReservationscleanharborscomwwwchlodgingcom

Clean Harbors is proud to sponsor

Oilsands Banquet VIII

to recognize the Fort McMurray Airport Authority

in their 85 year development of aviation

in the AthabascaWood Buffalo region

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 20: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2076

ECONOMIC ENGINE

(Bottom Left) Aviation helped

spur development of the

regionrsquos oil sands industry The

north terminal has become

a hub for industry traffic in

the region (Opposite) Suncor

employees disembark from

one of the companyrsquos aircraft

Photo courtesy Suncor Energy

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION20 FlyYMMcom

Cracking theNorth

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 21: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2176

HROUGHOUT HISTORY FORT

McMurray has played an integral

role in opening up Canadarsquos north to

industry and trade From fishing to

fur trapping to todayrsquos

boomi ng energ y indust ry

transportation in and out

of the region has played a

huge role in its economic

stability

When Fort McMu rray Inter nationa l Air port

(YMM) officially opened its long-awaited new

terminal th is summer its modern new design

and 161458 square metres of exposed wood

beam a nd stonework wa s nothi ng like t he

airport John Wi lson flew into back in 1977

ldquoThe airport termina l was a collection of

By Caitlin Crawshaw

Air Oil SandsFort McMurrayrsquos economic engine is boosted by aviationaccess to the Wood Buffalo Region

T ATCO trai lers slapped to gether more or lessrdquo say s the long- time busi ness-

man During t he 33 years he lived in the city he watched the airport g row in

fits and starts in spite of several economic booms Itrsquos only been in the last

few years that government and business leaders have successfully rallied

for drastic improvements to the infrastr ucture ldquoWersquove

always had a need for a new terminal so this new facility

is long overduerdquo says Wilson who serves on the air portrsquos

business a dvisor y board Of cour se thi s lag had no thin g to

do with a lack of vision he notes ldquoInfrastructure needs

are always slow to get on the map and get fundedrdquo

The new terminal could nrsquot have come at a better time in 2013

a record 12 million travellers f lew out of the Municipality of

Woo d B uf fa lo vi a th e c it yrsquo s ag in g ai rp or t As a r es ul t

YM M beca me the 16th busiest ai rpor t in Can ada t hough

the municipality is only the 82ndnd biggest city in

Canada with 104338 residents Itrsquos expected

that the airportrsquos passenger load will grow by

ldquoAirports are becoming more and moreof an economic engine for any city ndashand Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquondash John Wilson

21NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

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Whether you require full

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lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 22: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2276

25 pe r cent in the next two years pushing it to

capacity once again

Wilso n descr ibes th e air port as an ldquoecono mic

enginerdquo ndash and recent data supports his clai m A

2013 study by SNC-Lavalin pegged YM Mrsquos total

economic impact at $412

million for the entire Munic-

ipality of Wood Buffalo This

figure included the creation

of 1700 jobs and $584 mil-

lion in direct labour income

But the airport ndash and aviation in general ndash also

plays a supporting role in ma ny other industries

Case in point the energ y sector where skilled

workers a re in hi gh dema nd Bec ause of t he

high cost of homes in Fort McMurray (the

average sells for about $60000 0) and the low

vaca ncy rat e many workers co mmute to t heir jobs from across C anada a nd live i n camps for

short durations Itrsquos often easier and more cost

effective to fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transpor tation from

Fort McMurray ldquoWe have such an itinera nt

workforce right now People are flyi ng in

from all around Canada and t hat commuter

work popul ation is v ital for For t McMur rayrdquo

says Wilson Even those who live in Alberta

avoid commuting via car since Highway 63 is

notoriously dangerous

So air travel has become an important meansof getting people and goods into and out of the

region for nearly a century But it wasnrsquot until

1981 that a permanent control tower was erected followed by a

larger terminal (to accommodate 250000 passengers annually)

five years later

Af ter decade s of slow and steady g rowt h Y MM has been rapid ly

evolving since its incorporation as an airport authority in 2010 In

2012 public transit service to the airport

was added and i n 2013 it beg an offer ing

international flights ndash YMM provides

charter services to Mexico

But commercial air travel is just one par t

of the aviation industry in the Municipality

of Wood Buffalo Companies in the area of ten own and operate

their own ai rcraft in order to move labourers to and from work

sites and bring needed supplies ( like grocer ies) to remote sites

There are also plenty of charter companies providing regular

flights via smaller aircraft G-Sky Aviation is one of these firms

and operates a small fleet of fixed-wing aircra fts (including a

Dehavilland T win Otter Citation Bravo and King Air 200) viaa 25000 -square-foot hanger The company has only been in

operation for nine months but is already busy assisting companies

wit h crew c hang es g rocer y ru ns and qu ick meet ings in Edmo nton

and Calgar y ldquoTherersquos a lot of scheduled services between Fort

McMurray and Calgar y ndash maybe six or seven a dayrdquo says William

Houghton G-Skyrsquos general manager ldquoBy chartering an aircraft

you can come and g o on your own t imerdquo Th is saves c ompanies

from paying for hotels or other travel costs

Charter flights are always in demand thanks to the growing

energy sector says Houghton G-Sky Aviation wasnrsquot created with

a specific client in mind but to ta ke advantage of ldquocontinuing

opportunitiesrdquo in the area ldquoWith a ir charter itrsquos like controlledgrowth Itrsquos not huge growth itrsquos not slow growt h ndash itrsquos just

steadyrdquo

Itrsquos often easier and more cost effectiveto fly employees directly to work sites

rather than rely on ground transportationfrom Fort McMurray

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION22 FlyYMMcom

HEADING NORTH

(Bottom) Fort McMurrayrsquos

increased expansion has been

supported by ease of flight

to the region Photo courtesy

Region of Wood Buffalo

(Opposite) A Suncor mechanic

performs maintenance on

one of the companyrsquos private

aircraft Photo courtesy

Suncor Energy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

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rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 23: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2376

But on the whole aviationrsquos contribution

to the local economy seems to be increasing

rapidly ndash not steadily Wilson expects that YMM

wil l continue to i nject f unds i nto the are a via t he

development of a five-star hotel attached to the

terminal as well as a business park (something

akin to Nisku a few minutes from the Edmonton

International Airport) ldquoAirports are becoming

more and more of an economic engine for any

city ndash and Fort McMurray is really following

that trendrdquo he says

COMMUTING BY AIR Various oil producers operating out of the Wood

Buffalo Region use aerodromes to facilitate travelin and out of their mine sites and camps Airstrips

have been built and maintained to facilitate the

fly-in-fly-out work structure that industry relies

on and the aerodromes often resemble the same

small landing stri ps in small towns The regionrsquos

private aerodromes have been estimated to fly

about 750000 people per year

Companies like Suncor Syncrude Cenovus

and Devon have all hired pilots and mechanics

to operate their fleet of planes and private

aerodromes some of which provide t ravellers

with amenities similar to larger airports including

checked baggage services and departure lounges

And traffic is booming ndash Suncor flies about 25000

employees per month on average in its SunJet fleet

of five planes But because their employer owns

and controls the fleet therersquos often more flexibility

for commuting workers during busy times For

employees the commute to work is made easier

through flight Shuttles to the airport from home

and convenient flights from cities and smaller

communities across Canada are all work perks

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

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Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

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Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 24: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2476

GROWING UP (Top left)

Mayor Melissa Blake can attest

that the original airport termi-

nal (bottom) constructed in

1985 was too small to handle

the outpour of passengers that

accompanied Fort McMurrayrsquos

economic boom

LiftingOff

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION24 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2576

HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 25: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HERErsquoS A RESTAURANT SOUTHEAST

of Fort McMurray where the cityrsquos

mayor Melissa Blake takes her

two young children for the artisan

fire-roasted pizza Nearby Vancouver-artist David

Robinsonrsquos sculpture Daedalist a streamlined ode

to flight hangs from the ceilin g More breathtaking

installations and sculptures wait within walkin g

distance A wall of dazzling lights near it mimics

the aurora borealis though the original is visible

from outside during nights when the conditions

are clear All this modern art and fantastic scenery is located in the Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos newest jewel the new Fort McMurray Interna-

tional Airport (YMM) terminal building

Bringing t he airportrsquos much-needed expansion from concept to fr uition was

an impressive task that a dedicated team of officials community members

and visionaries pulled off Herersquos how it happened

1985 The original termin al built in 1985 was designed

for 250000 passengers though it ended up recently

serv ing over one million ldquoMoving into the brand new

airport in 1985 was quite a significant thing for

By Robbie Jeffrey

Change is

in the Air Scott Clements of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority helpsdeliver on promises for air service excellence

T

25NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 26: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2676

BUSTING LOOSE Like the

municipality itself (right) the

airport at Fort McMurray was

bursting at the seams

us a nd it w as a big step up over the trailer that we

used to have people flying in and out ofrdquo says Blake

ldquoIt started off serviceable but when the economy

started to shift and more investment in the oil

sands was going on we could see it bursting at the

seams literallyrdquo Minor expansions like adding

wait rooms and ex tra gate spa ce allev iated some of

the immediate pressures They could not however

hold back the tide

Sheldon Schroeder the board chair for the Fort

McMurray Airport Authority is also a private pilot

ldquoAs a member of the community using the facility

as far back as 2007 it was undersizedrdquo he says ldquoIt

was a cha llenge an d it got worse year after yea rrdquo

ldquoAnybody who travelled through the ai rport in

Fort McMurray at any time over the last 10 years

knew there was a need to replace the existing

airportrdquo says Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA and former minister of

municipal affairs Indeed the dam burst and the little terminal that

could was in dire straights

2004 In the early 200 0s Fort McMurrayrsquos booming economy and

subsequent opportunity pushed the air port to a breaking point ldquoThe

fly-in-fly-out scenario means the airport exper ienced its challenges

quicker and more dramatically compared to the community which was

also under incredible pressurerdquo says Blake

ldquoIt was a nice litt le terminal designed for a quar ter-million people

in 1985rdquo says Scott Clements the President and CEO of the Fort

McMurray Airport Authorit y ldquoBut at one point over one million people

were goin g throu gh a term ina l with one bridge t wo gates a nd one

bagg age beltrdquo

2009 With 50 ye ars of ex perienc e tucked aw ay includi ng recent

positions as the CEO of Aviation Alberta and the CEO of the Edmonton

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION26 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 27: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2776 ll llll llll llcopy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

Solving challengestrade

Over the life of the well extreme thermal

conditions zonal isolation steam management

and meeting production goals can pose heavy-duty

challenges for any SAGD operation

With more SAGD wells drilled in Canada than any

other service company Halliburton experts have

been providing operators with complete heavy oil

solutionsmdashand unequalled customer commitmentmdashfor over 50 years

Whatrsquos your heavy oil challenge

For solutions contact heavyoilcanadahalliburtoncom

Solving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

tradeSolving challenges

copy 2012 Halliburton All rights reserved

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 28: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2876

Air port Au thorit y Clements w atched as Fort

McMurrayrsquos air serv ice grew He came out of

semi-retirement when he heard the city was

forming an Airpor t Authority ldquoI thought these

guys are going to want to have somebody that

knows the Airport Authority businessrdquo he said

He applied for the job and the Ai rport Authority

hired him on October 18 2009 ldquoScott is a driver

no question about itrdquo says Schroeder ldquoHe hired a

very qu ali fied team of p eople to execute his projec t

and made sure thing s were on trackrdquo

Hopes for the new airport soared as did fait h in

Clements ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with

the mission of creating the new air port facility it

was cle ar to me th at the bo ard wa s seriou s about

doing thisrdquo says Hughes ldquoIt told me that this was

going to be something that was going to get done

It was just a matter of maki ng sure all the pieces ofthe puzzle were put into place ndash that would involve

the municipality the province and the govern-

ment of Canada working together to ma ke sure

that we supported the Airport Authority board

and Scott Clements in his capacity as CEOrdquo

2010 The new airport didnrsquot

begi n in ear nest unt il 2010 when

the commission became t he Fort

McMurray Airport Authority a

not-for-profit organization governed

by the Re giona l Ai rport A uthorit ies Act of A lber ta

The Airport Authority became a standalone

entity with assets and financial statements and

it could borrow money without relying on the

municipality The municipality in tur n cleared

the airport expansion from its balance sheet

The Airport Authority was still accountable to

its group of appointers wh ich included repre-

sentatives from industry (Canadian Association

of Petroleum Producers) government unions

(CUPE) and the Fort McMurray Cha mber of

Commerce

The Airport Authority revised the plans left

from the commission which would h ave led to

a smaller expansion ldquoT he problem was that we

would ha ve built this b rand ne w faci lity a nd it

would ha ve alre ady been to o smal l bas ed on

projections at the timerdquo says Schroeder The

location of the new terminal also needed revision

Then there was the timeless problem of funding

ldquoWe didnrsquot have a huge t rack record because wersquod

just for medrdquo he conti nues ldquo We didnrsquot ha ve 10

years of b ala nce sheet h istor y to providerdquo

Perhaps most detrimental was the issue of grow th ldquoWhen you

looked at the growth projections if yoursquore at the low end of the scale

itrsquos a challenge to pay forrdquo says

Schroeder ldquoEven at the medium

and moderate ends of the sca le

we were in for 10 yea rs of pai n in

terms of being able to pay ba ck

the money that was required for

us to build this And if you recallin 2009 growth was flatrdquo Airport

usage declined and the boa rd was faced with the iss ue of how much

money to borrow in order to accommodate a growing a irport

ldquoBy November of 2010 the Authority w as presented the option to

build the ri ght bui ldin g for the fut ure but at a c onsidera bly incre ased

costrdquo says Clements ldquoIt was a very important and str ategic decisionrdquo

Projecting growth over the next 2 0 years at just under three per cent

the Fort McMurray Airport Aut hority made the decision to borrow

enough money for a larger expansion C lements proposed a classic

approach in contrast to the budget-limited vision of t he earlier

commission

To Blake it was common sense She describes her guiding philosophy

for investing in projects as ldquoIf we build it and nothing cha nged in

the future will we stil l need it The answer in the case of the airport

is lsquoabsolutelyrsquo Even if we d idnrsquot experience a single new passenger

increase in that time it was still a requirementrdquo

Common sense didnrsquot fully encompass the risks a nd the ambition

involved however ldquoWe donrsquot have shareholders we donrsquot pay dividends

and wersquore a not-for-profit organi zationrdquo says Schroeder ldquoYet we

bor rowe d $ 20 0 m il lion T hat ta kes a lo t of gut s wh en y oursquor e a $ 10 -

million-per-year organizationrdquo

ldquoIt turned out to be t he right decision for surerdquo says Schroeder

Clements agrees ldquoThank good ness they took itrdquo he says ldquoBecause

ldquoWhen Scott Clements was hired with themission of creating the new airport facility

It told me that this was going to be somethingthat was going to get done it was just a matterof making sure all the pieces of the puzzle were

put into placerdquo ndash Ken Hughes Calgary-West MLA

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION28 FlyYMMcom

Scott Clements President and CEO

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 2976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3076

EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3176

ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 29: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 30: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EASY CONNECTIONS The

terminal will also include a

new four-star Marriott hotel

to be completed by 2017

in the subsequent four years we grew by 75 per

centrdquo Faith in the Airport Authority ndash a nd in

Clements ndash paid off ldquoIn the end the community

got a bigger better facility that is meeting t he

demands of today and w ill for a few years to comerdquo

says S chroeder

2012 Construction on the new

terminal began in August of 2011

The old northern terminal has

been desi gnated for char ter work-

force traffic easing congestion

and accounting for 20 per cent of

the airportrsquos total volume

The airportrsquos expansion was a marvel of

co-operation ldquoIrsquove been in this busi ness about

53 yearsrdquo says C lements ldquoIrsquove been there donethat and Irsquove seen successes and failures across

the country I have never seen a municipality

support an independent airport so quickly and so

comprehensively as the Reg ional Municipality of

Wood Buffa lo has donerdquo

The municipality gave the Airport Authority

$25 million in gra nts toward civil works like extending t he runway road

access water and sewer extensions passed a law exempting the A irport

Author ity fr om tax ation an d resolved to a ssis t the Aut horit y in secu ring

provincial and federal funding A s a result the provincial government

gave it 425 acres of Crown land for a nominal sum for development of

the second runway The application for $25 million in federal funding

is in process

The airport also benefits from

new developments in infrastructure

the CRISP ndash comprehensive regional

infrastructure sustainability plan ndash is a

40-year $11-billion project that will match

new infrastr ucture to the regionrsquos massive

growth Bridges w ill cross the Clearwater and the Athabasca a nd new

workersrsquo roa ds wi ll stre aml ine tr ips to nort hern work ca mps Succ ess-

ful tra nsportation to and from work contributes to the success of the

oil sands ndash in this sense the new infrastructure creates a win-win-winscenario in which the oil sa nds the airport a nd workers all benefit

The new air port is also a kind of welcome for investors ldquoAny

multibillion-dollar investment thatrsquos made in Fort McMurray will be

preceded by months indeed years of hard work and a great deal of

technical analysis and international investors and their advisors flying

into the community to assess the potentialrdquo says Premier Jim Prentice

ldquoIn the end the community got a biggerbetter facility that is meeting the demandsof today and will for a few years to comerdquo

ndash Scott Clements President and CEOFort McMurray Airport Authority

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION30 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 31: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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ldquoWhen people come and see a first-class facil ity it

helps instill investor confidencerdquo

This all contributes to Fort McMurrayrsquos shift

from a small town to a destination in which to build

a home and start a family ldquoI heard from residents

that Fort McMurray has the ambition to be a Great

Northern Cityrdquo says Hughes ldquoTo do that you need

a number of community-building pillars and the

airport adds to that Other airlines like WestJet

and Air Canada are ta king a look at how they can

integrate into Fort McMurray more effectively so

itrsquos another notch in the belt and a really important

element that adds to the quality of liferdquo As more

oil sands facilities come on stream there will be

less focus on a fly-in fly-out workforce and more on

permanent community residences The reach of

this investment in the region is vast the economic

stability of the Reg ional Municipality of Wood

Buffalo is not just of key importance for Alberta

but for all of Canad a as well

MAY 2014 YMM i s now a ral lyin g cause for t he

community ndash a source of pride distinc tion and

worldli ness ldquoTh is new fa cilit y is clearl y maki ng a state ment that Fort

McMurray is here to stayrdquo says Hughes At the opening gala on May 31

2014 there wa s a palpable sense of pride Mayor Blake describes it as a

ldquorefreshing changerdquo The a irport she says shows that Fort McMurray

is a wonderful place to live and that there are more than just industrial

offerings

JUN E 2014 Pilots are astute observers of what makes an a irport

successful For Schroeder itrsquos what he hears in the a irport since its

official opening in June 2014 that sta nds out ldquoWhen I walk off a

plane here I listen to the people coming off the airpla ne with me I

hear lsquoOoohrsquo and lsquoAahrsquo rdquo he says ldquoYou feel like your community is on

the maprdquo

There are now four air bridges two bagga ge belts and 16 food

beve rag e an d re tai l out lets an d a f our- sta r Ma rr iott hotel conn ect ed

to the terminal will be complete by 2017 YMM itself will employ over

135 workers before the year is up and the airportrsquos tenants employ an

additional 400

Most satisfying though is hearing Clements look back on his work

and realize that he achieved what he set out to do His goal wa s to give

the community what it needed but he gave it more ldquoWhen people are

coming through and seeing it for the f irst timerdquo he says ldquoyou hear

them saying lsquoWow ndash now we have the termina l we deserversquo rdquo

How do we developtomorrowrsquos resourcesWith todayrsquos commitment

copy 2013 Schlumberger

slbcom

yrsquos commth todaWi

rowrsquoromtoo we develHow d

tneitmyrsquos comm

s resourcesrowrsquoopo we devel

hidf

ihn ws ieitiunmmoe cht

g a susnikao md tetacided0 e0002n 1ahe tros mti

hd tunors aeitiunmmoc

noitacude edivors ppleh

ecnereffie dhl tlke aam

wtah wohg wniwonK

icert psos mrsquodlror wuO

yrsquos commth todaWi

lld wi

h ati wkrod wne avie lh wci

ne icnereffie dlbaniatg a susere adiwdlros weeyoplm0 e

dnr aegrebmulhc Sdlroe w

dns aloohco st troppl suan

regrebmulhcy Shs wt iah T

naw cod hn aereh wneh w

eploes pe icruoseus ro

tneitmyrsquos comm

moclbs

eerhtsiergerumblhcS

e chn tr id oleil fie ohn tI

e eh tnoitacudn eus ocof

moosrasle c

ssenlled wn atnemnorivne e

HIGH FIVEBrandt is proud to sponsor the Oilsands Banquet Vlll

honouring YMM Wersquore grateful for loyal customers and the

support of the communities we call home Sponsoring local

events like this one is our way of saying thank you

thanksabillionca

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

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1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

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bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 32: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3276

A TEAM EFFORT

Building the new Fort

McMurray International

Airport terminal building was

a cooperative process between

Stantec SNC-Lavelin

WSP E Construction

Ledcor Construction and

designers omb

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION32 FlyYMMcom

LiftingOff

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

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lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 33: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3376

BOUT FIVE YEARS AGO BRUCE

Ferguson principal program and

project management for Stantec

started rolling up his sleeves for work

at the new Fort McMurray International Airport

(YMM) And while he and Stantec were ready for the

challenge building one of Fort McMurrayrsquos most

important new buildings was a massive collabora-

tion between that company and three others

ldquoStantec was retained as t he project manag-

ersrdquo says Ferguson But SNC-Lavalin was t he

planner and project manager for the terminalrsquos commercial food and be verage

advertising and retail components WSP (formerly Genivar) was retained for

infrastructu re design E Construction was awarded a $49-million contract for the

installation of underground utilities roads parking lots taxiways and the new

aircraft pa rking apron and Ledcor Construction Limited was awarded a

$78-million contract to build the three-level terminal building

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers (omb)

had been contracted to design the terminal and it focused on

providing a va riety of sus tainable features appropriate for

a northern climate i ncluding passive solar orientation

energy optimization super-insulated building

By Robin Brunet

From the

GroundUpHow a team of planners designers and builders turned Fort McMurrayInternational Airport into an international destination

A

33NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 34: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3476

BREAKING GROUND

Construction on the new

terminal began in September

2012 with the old northern

terminal now designated for

chartered workforce traffic

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION34 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 35: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3576

envelope assemblies in-floor radiant heating

displacement ventilation and sophisticated

heat-recovery systems The team selected

low-emitting materials to promote healthy interior

environments for passengers and employees Mass

timber assemblies provide

a warm ambiance to the

buildi ng interior Fini shes

that feature durability and

sustainability include 180

pre-weathered steel panels

and over 125 exterior

precast panels The team

decided to use cross-laminated timber (CLT)

for the building structure early on in the design

process With 954000 board feet of pine

lumber ultimately used it turned out to be the

largest application of CLT beam technology in

North America

Many of the terminalrsquos components such

as the exposed CLT ceilings and walls built

from reclaimed BC mountain pine beet le wood were prefabricated

elsewhere shipped to site and a ssembled ldquoFort McMurray is a

challengi ng place to find tradesmen because theyrsquore all occupied with

other work so getting as ma ny things pre-fabbed and shipped to site

was v ital rdquo says Ferg uson ldquo The wood was ma nufac ture d in Pent icton

BC and precast concrete panels came f rom

Edmontonrdquo Over 15000 square metres of

terrazzo-topped flooring were manufactured

overseas and hollow core floor slabs were

fabricated in Edmonton

Construction on the terminal began in Sep-

tember 2012 and at its peak 70 contract trades

and as many as 250 tradespeople were on site

Challenges included the sitersquos high water table which necessitated six

months of round-the-clock dewatering for foundations Ledcor installed

CLT panels during exceptionally cold weather and in order to deal with

successive severe winters hoarding and heating systems were erected

that enabled construction to continue in sub-zero conditions

But the biggest challenge ndash for Ledcor at least ndash had nothing to

do with construction ldquoThe real issue came with the recruitment of

qualified manpowerrdquo says Bob Walker Ledcorrsquos senior vice-president

35NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

ldquoThis turned out to be a fantastic partnershipConsidering the size and complexity of the

project everything went fairly smoothly andeveryone brought their best game to the table

Wersquore proud of the final resultrdquondash Bruce Ferguson

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3676

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

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1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 36: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

CONGRATULATIONS YMM

AirportAerodrome Management

Refueling

Airfield Maintenance

Equipment MaintenanceAirfield Electrical Repair amp Service

Radio amp Weather Services

Aircraft Ground Support

Logistical Support

wwwuascorpca

UNIVERSAL AVIATION SERVICESRR1 Site 2 C-9 Airport Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 5B5

Phone 7807919881 bull infouascorpca

wwwftsgroupcom

FT Services is proud

to support the localcommunities that ouremployees call home

Congratulations to theFort McMurray AirportAuthority on 85 years of

aviation service to the

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

Albert a ldquoThi s provincersquos constr uction sector is

booming a nd quali fied trades professional s have

many choices With the numerous construction

opportunities they are not forced to find work

outside of their home baserdquo Ledcor ultimately

recruited talent from across Canada

Ferguson points out that it was crucial for

the terminal and other construction work to be

carefully co-ordinated ldquoWe also had an aircraft

parking apron plus taxiways plus a parking

area to build around the terminal building

and this meant we had to work closely with the

municipality to ensure getting basic services on

siterdquo A boundary was set around the terminal in

which Ledcor wa s restricted and this en abled

E Construction to control the surrounding

territory and ensure that roads sanitary a ndstorm infrastructure was ready in time

Jim Meyer senior director airport

development for SNC-Lavalin notes that

while pa ssenger grow th wil l gradua lly taper

off in the long run the Fort McMurray Airport

Authorit y is already pla nnin g furt her expa nsion

ldquoFortunately the termina l was designed to easily

accommodate expansion and in 2017-2018 wersquore

looking at two more bridges and more passenger

hold room capacityrdquo he says ldquoConstruction of

the new 220 -room hotel wil l commence next

spring and three LED light towers that replicate

the colours and patterns of the aurora borealis

wil l be instal led in the tra ffic circle at the ai rport

entrance this fall which will be an iconic

landmark for the air port and the communityrdquo

Ferguson echoes the sentiments of his

colleagues when he concludes ldquoThis turned out

to be a fantastic pa rtnership Considering the

size and complexity of the project everything

went fai rly smoothl y and ever yone brought

their best game to the t able Wersquore proud of the

final resultrdquo

FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4676

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 37: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3776

EDMONTON | CALGARY | FORT MCMURRAY 18665368590 OR staynoraltalodgecom

noraltalodgecom

Committed

We are committed to growing

with you providing the highest-

quality facilities and services to

help attract retain and increase

the productivity and safety of a

strong workforce

Flexible

Flexibility in the energy sector

is critical to the success of

our clients and guests We are

well positioned to adapt to

changing circumstances and

environments and to readily

respond to your unique

ever-changing needs

Solution Driven

Whether you require full

turnkey lodging solutions

accommodations in an open

lodge or facilities management

services in your own lodge we

have a solution for you

Nine lodges locatedwhere you operate

Noralta Lodge has over 5000 rooms strategically located

throughout the North

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 38: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3876

Congratulations on 85 Yearsof Aviation in Wood Buffalo

wwwdrivingforceca

bull Cars

bull SUVrsquos

bull Suburban

bull 4x4rsquosbull 7 amp 15 passenger vans

bull Off Road Commander

bull Trucksbull Crew Cabsbull Extended Cabsbull Flatdecks

We rent

FORT MCMURRAY340 Parent Way

FORT MCMURRAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

1 Snowbird Way

780bull791bull0932

780bull747bull7619

bull Corporate commercial amp rentals

bull Daily weekly amp monthly rates

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 3976

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 39: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 40: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4076

TRAFFIC WOES Highways

63 and 881 are significantly

busier than most roadways

and are subject to adverse

weather conditionsPhoto courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

terminal which will continue to safely transport

over a quarter of a million passenge rs and c argo to

and from the region each year

One of the businesses affected by the imple-

mentation of a dedicated workforce terminal has

been Suncor and its pri vate

airline Sunjet Having just

celebrated the air programrsquos

65th anniversary the airlinersquos

five aircraft move upwards of

210000 people each year throughout the Wood

Buffalo Region According to Kelli Stevens senior

advisor for Suncor Energy media relations and

issues management the designation of the existing

terminal as a workforce terminal is a welcome

change for Sunjet ldquoThere were too many people

flying in and out of the old airport for it to be the

size that it was The expansion makes a lot of

senserdquo she says

Flying your workforce into the region and

providing transportation directly to the work site

ensures that a companyrsquos most valuable resource ndash

its people ndash arrive safely For Suncor its aviation

program is essential Because the Firebag and Fort Hills operations

are situated well outside of the city boundaries and roads are subject

to unpredictable weather closures Suncor offers flight service to

employees Stevens says that a big advantage to chartering space at the

airport is the ability to tailor the flight schedule to correspond with the

companyrsquos plant operations which means that

Suncor employees are always arriving safely

to work and departing with efficiency ldquoIt just

makes it a lot safer a nd more comfortable and

less tiresome for our employeesrdquo she says

Shersquos not wrong about safety Highways 63 and 881 the only other

routes out of the city are significantly busier than most roadways In

2013 Wood Buffalorsquos Integrated Traffic Unit reported 15789 charges

laid while policing the t wo highways With worrisome roadway traffic

itrsquos not hard to see how much of an economic generator the airport

has been to the region and itrsquos no surprise that ai r traffic has steadily

increased year over year Providing a safe and convenient mode of

travel has proven to be essential to the 12 million passengers that

flew to the area over the past year The opening of the new terminal

has demonstrated that between the demand from industry and the

desire of businesses government and locals to forgo the long and often

stressful drive up Highways 63 and 881 the airport has nowhere to

grow but up

ldquoIt makes it a lot safer and morecomfortable and less tiresome for our

employeesrdquo ndash Kelli Stevens

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION40 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 41: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4176

copy 2 0 1 4 B r a n

d E n e r g y

amp I n f r a s

t r u c t u

r e S e r v

i c e s

I n c

A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e

d

TOTAL ACCESS | INSULATION | COATINGS amp FIREPROOFING

ALUMA -

YOUR SINGLE

SOURCE

185 Taiganova CrescentFort McMurray AB T9K 0T4Phone 7807435011wwwalumaca

Aluma Systems congratulates YMM on

85 years of Service in the CommunityWe look forward to your continued

contribution through the new World Class

International Airport Facility

HAPPY

85TH

YMM

Accuracy every time

Find out more about how we dig deeper

Visit KellerCanadacom ndash formerly North American Caisson Ltd

Dinner with Dad We didnrsquot buy the

pancake mix Or make sure there was

enough maple syrup in the house

But we did deliver the natural gas to

make dinner the way only Dad can

do it When the energy you invest in

life meets the energy we fuel it with

breakfast for dinner happens

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4276

E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4376

HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4776

HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 42: Northern Stars 2014

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E A R T H W A T E R W A S T E R E S O U R C E S

AT O N E T I M E O R A N O T H E R W E A L L H A V EC H A L L E N G E S W I T H O U R W A S T E L I N E

Nobody wants oil field waste to eat away at project profits Which is why we offer the industryrsquosmost comprehensive on-site management solutions and extensive facility network aimed at

uniquely managing your waste streams and improving your bottom line We are Tervita anenvironmental solutions company and your sustainability partner Our broad range of integratedearth water waste and resource solutions are designed to help reduce your costs manage yourliability and protect your reputation Minimizing impact maximizing returnstrade Itrsquos about helping tosustain your business And everything around it Visit tervitacomwaste to learn more

Management of onsitehazardous and non-hazardous landfill

waste reducingcosts by 60

Specialized bins adding14 cubic yards per

load and decreasingtransportation costs

Proximity of Tervitafacilities to oil and gasproduction resulted in

50 cost savings

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 43: Northern Stars 2014

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HEN PASSENGERS ARRIVING

at Fort McMurray International

Air port ( YMM ) step into t he

arrivals area the smiling faces of

their friends and family are not the only ones to

greet them Also on scene are some true experts

in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

the community ambassadors who staff a brand

new Visitor Information Centre

The airport is home to the new centre which is a partnership ru n

by Fort McMur ray Touri sm the Reg ional Mun icipalit y of Wood Bu ffalo

and the Fort McMurray Air port Authority It provides on-the-ground

guidance for Fort McMurray tour ists workers and residents alike

The new booth presents a fresh face for ward for the groups

who cr ea te a w elc om in g f ir st im pre ss io n o f th e Wo od

Buffalo

ldquoWersquore a part of t he team here now which

is great because we represent the regionrdquo

By Martin Dover

A Warm

WelcomeCommitted ambassadors of the Wood BuffaloRegion welcome visitors to Fort McMurray

W

43NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 44: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4476

SEE THE SIGHTS (Top)

The south loop of Wood

Buffalo National Park (Botton

left) Syncrude Boreal Open

(Bottom right) Northern lightsover Gregoire Lake

(Opposite) Dog sledding in

Fort Chipewyan

Photos courtesy Fort

McMurray Tourism

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION44 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4576

says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 45: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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says Frank Creasey CEO of Fort McMurray

Tourism ldquoThis means that we have more

linkages and gateway access This is how we

welcome themrdquo

The boothrsquos community ambassadors are

friendly faces from the region people who can

answer questions about everything from public

transportation to hotel vacancies to lost phones

They also go out of their way to make sure

passengers know who they are and understand

why they rsquore present in t he air port i ncluding

answering any questions

The Visitor Information Centre team hopes

its new physical presence at YMM will g ive team

members more room to showcase attractions like

the Northern Lights and outdoor tourism

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province because you

have a wide var iety of people in for hunting fishing and energy tours at

our airportrdquo says Creasey

He emphasizes that itrsquos actually the good spirit of residents

and visitors that act as Fort McMurrayrsquos most prominent

ambassadors ldquoIf yoursquore coming here for the first time you know

what your job is but of ten not about the co mmu nit yrdquo

says Creasey ldquoThatrsquos our linkrdquo

ldquoItrsquos very good for the province becauseyou have a wide variety of people in forhunting fishing and energy tours at our

airportrdquo ndash Frank Creasey

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 46: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

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8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 47: Northern Stars 2014

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HE THIN CRUST PIZZAS FRESH

salads and savoury soups the kitchen at

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria dishes up

might seem more suited to an Italian

trattoria than the arriva ls level of an airport but

that hasnrsquot held the popular Edmonton chain back

from providing Italian staples to the crowd at Fort

McMurray International Air port (YMM)

ldquoThe restaurant offers a taste of Italy in Fort

McMurrayrdquo says Paul Sarlis franchise owner of

the new Famoso ldquoItrsquos simple Itrsquos heart foodrdquo

By Martin Dover

Travel with TasteFrom pizza to lattes passengers at the Fort McMurray InternationalAirport munch on more dining options than ever before

TThe restaurant imports its bell-shaped ovens from Italy as well as its

high-quality ingredients and they certify t heir ldquopizzaiolordquo chefs in the art

of tossing thin crusts by hand

Famoso is just one of many new concession offerings at the new Fort

McMurray airport terminal Boosting t he options at YMM from two

to 16 there are now varied opportunities for food and drink on

both sides of the secu rity gate

The new food court on the depa rtures level before

security includes a Subway Burger King and

soon-to-be-opened Tim Hortons Past the

check-in gates passengers h ave options

MORE OPTIONS

Earls Kitchen + Bar is one

of the airportrsquos newest

dine-in options

47NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 48: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 4876

from a Starbucks Jugo Juice and the first Earls ever to open inside an

airport Famoso also appearing for the first time in an airport greets

passengers on the arriva ls level Through much consultation and plan-

ning a variety of options are now available to travellers and residents

alike Locals can also take advantage of the airportrsquos Shop Dine Dash

parking deal ndash visitors to their airport can show a receipt from one of

the airportrsquos restaurants or stores to receive free parking

Melanie Ference is the owner of Chocolates amp Candlelight a

Fort McMurray chocolate and gift shop thatrsquos been open since 1999

Ference had been looking for a way to expand her product line to a new

group of people and had even considered starting a mobile shop at one

point The new airport terminal provided a great opportunity ldquoEvery

airport needs a chocolate placerdquo she says

ldquoThe city was itching for something di fferentrdquo says Sarlis The open-

ing gar nered a lot of attention locally and there are even plans to open up

another Famoso branch in the city itself ldquoIt was a natural fitrdquo

AVAILAB LE AT YMM

Best Buy Express

Burger King

Chocolates amp Candlelight

Earls Kitchen + Bar

Elements

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Ju go Ju ic e

Mary Brownrsquos Famous Chicken amp Taters

Nicholbyrsquos Convenience amp Duty Free

Starbucks

Subway

Tim Hortons

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION48 FlyYMMcom

FRESH FARE The bell-

shaped oven at Famoso

Neapolitan Pizzeria has been

imported from Italy

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5176

LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 49: Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 50: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5076

SAFETY ON THE

GROUND YMMrsquos airside

maintenance team are

responsible for all 2287

metres of runway

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION50 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 51: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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LAYTON ROZAK IS FORT MCMURRAY

Air port Author ity rsquos first mana ger of

operations and training He started

his career at the air port in 1998

join ing t he mai ntenanc e teamrsquos t ightk nit g roup

of seven employees as a n equipment operator

ldquoBack then we all did a little bit of everythingrdquo

he says Six teen years later he has held a

number of roles with the Airport Authority

including interim VP of operations Since

starting with the Airport Authority the departmentrsquos staff has grown to

20 members

The departmentrsquos responsibilities have also more th an doubled since

the opening of the new airport terminal ldquoThere are more bridges and

wal kw ays tha t we h ave to keep clea n in var ious seas ons And itrsquos

not just sweeping away debris or snow We have to consider

using equipment of various sizes in the r ight way in the right

conditions Itrsquos more intricate workrdquo says Rozak W hile

the runway did not move the total a irside square

footage of paved surfaces has more than doubled

By Martin Dover

Kingsof

theTarmacThe airportrsquos maintenance crew ensures aircraft can landand leave in the safest possible conditions

C

51NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5376

THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 52: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5276

Airside pavement i ncludes runwa ys tax iways and

the apron (the aircraft bridging area) ldquoItrsquos the

same job as before the new terminal opened but

just with a lot more space to be responsible forrdquo

he says

Pavement is just one area of maintenance at the

airport Wildlife management is also part of the

departmentrsquos responsibilities and is demanding

during the spring and fall during bird migratory

season ldquoWe do everything from patrols to scare

cannons to adding scarecrows to the areas most

affectedrdquo he says

Runway clearing makes winter one of the

busiest seasons for Rozakrsquos crew ldquoSu mmer is

the best time to plan and prepare for the regionrsquos

inclement weather which lasts over half of the year

some seasonsrdquo he says ldquoWe want aircraft to land

safely all the timerdquo he says Part of this includes

undertaking friction testing every time weather

patterns change ldquoAfter we clean the snow off we have to check the

friction to ensure that itrsquos within safe limits for aircraf t to landrdquo

says Rozak ldquoWe might have to sweep some more put down sand or

even chemicals

ldquoTo see where the Airport Authority was when I started and where

we are now is just incredi blerdquo Rozak says ldquoIt reflects the g rowth

of the region That said my time here will finish up soon and I wil l

have to hand over the reins I grew up here but it is time for a change

for my family My heart will a lways be here thoughrdquo Rozak will be

assuming the site and facilities manager role at Shell Aviation in

Calgary starting this fall

Airside maintenance is everything behind the airport terminalrsquos

gates This includes tarmac maintenance and snow removal

Groundside maintenance are repairs and maintenance that takeplace in the terminal and outside security

THE ALL CLEAR

The airportrsquos maintenance

team has grown from

seven employees to 20

Photo courtesy Regional

Municipality of Wood Buffalo

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION52 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 53: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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THE BIGGESTTHING WE

MOVE IS TIME

When it comes to lifting transporting installing and

decommissioning large structures we believe your biggest

challenges are not about size They are about time Uptime

turnaround time and time to market While the right

equipment is essential itrsquos often not enough to get a job

done in time Mammoet brings deadlines forward through

careful planning innovative engineering and safe delivery

With offices in Canada and on every other continent

Mammoet provides tailor-made solutions for engineered

heavy lifting and transport Time may not be set in concrete

or forged in steel It isnrsquot even all that heavy And yet itrsquos the

biggest thing we can move for you

For more information please call Mammoet Canada West at

+1 780 449 0552 Or send an e-mail to

infomammoetcom

Discover more on wwwmammoetcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 54: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5476

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 55: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5576

F AIRPORTS ACT AS A SPACE WHERE

people nature and human ingenuity

intersect Todd Bressi was a natural choice

to involve in developing the Fort McMurray

International Airportrsquos (YMM) interior design

Bressi and his team at Pennsylvania-based

Place Design help determine how public art

and design can fit into various unique places

For YMM they assisted in creating a place

where pu blic a rt public use a nd cit y desi gn

mingle by curating the three art pieces that

appear throughout the building

T o do s o B r e s s i s pe nt a lo t o f t im e w it h air po r t m anage m e nt

and office of mcfarlane biggar architects and designers Before

choosing a nyth ing he a nd his tea m toured Fort McMurray and held

meetings to immerse themselves in the city a nd the new site

ldquoWe came to understand that Fort McMurray has been a very

dynamic place for all its historyrdquo says Bressi from his office

in Pennsylvania ldquoMost of wh at it h as accompl ished h as

be en at gr ea t ri sk Ex plo re rs ca me he re an d it rsquos st il l

true to this day

ldquoThat led to us thinking about scalerdquo he says

ldquoThe city is impres sive and o verwhel ming

in a wayrdquo In 2012 Place Design issued an

By Lyndsie Bourgon

TheArt

of FlightPublic art throughout the airport captures the spiritof the Wood Buffalo Region

IOIL TO ART Local artist

Lucas Seaward (top) painted

his contribution in oil sands

bitumen

55NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 56: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5676

A HIGHER PLANE

A retired Canadian Forces

Snowbird plane (left) is

rooted in the ground outside

the airport (Top Right) Liz

Ingramrsquos tribute to water in

the region (Bottom) Sculptor

David Robinsonrsquos lsquoDaedalistrsquo

installation

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION56 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

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AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 57: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5776

open call for artists and it received about 300

submissions in response The team narrowed

down and ranked its final choices based on expe -

rience and qualifications though the final decision

rested with the airport team Management agreed

with a ll of Place Desig nrsquos top-ranked a rtists

In the end two of the three final art pieces come

from Alberta artists and one from Vancouver

sculptor David Robinson ldquoHis work is not the kind

of work yoursquod normally see in a public art settingrdquo

says Bressi Robinsonrsquos aviation-themed sculpture

hangs from the ceiling in the arriva ls hall ldquoBut the

airport could see that his work is really evocative of

the struggle of building a city i n the wildernessrdquo

Fort McMurray artist Lucas Seaward contributed a mural in which

uses bitumen as his medium ldquoHis work is extraordinarily uniquerdquo

says Bressi ldquoIn my research I couldnrsquot find more than a handful of

people in the world that work with bitumen the way he doesrdquo

Finally University of Alberta professor Liz Ingram contributed

a piece that has been worked into a glass wall at the north end of the

waiti ng room ldquoThe relationsh ip between the pe ople and water is

elemental and Irsquom glad to recognize thatrdquo says Bressi of the piece

ldquoThey were each able to bring a deep and thoughtful look at the

meaning of the city and its setting relationship to environment and

resourcesrdquo says Bressi ldquoThe result is people who are as proud of the

artwork as they are of the rest of the airportrdquo

57NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 58: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5876

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION58 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

MAKING IT WORK

Local entrepreneur Doug

Golosky has a longstanding

history of partnership and

cooperation with YMM

Photo by Greg Halinda

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 59: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 5976

HE AIRPORT IS MORE THAN JUST

a home to the large airlines th at flyin and out from its main termina l It

also provides serv ices to a number of

smaller charter aircraft throughout the region

This includes companies like McMurray

Aviat ion and G-S ky Avi ation priv ate ch arte rs

that operate just around the corner from the

airportrsquos terminal Both companies shuttle

passengers around the region through a fleet

of smaller aircraft

G-Sky was founded two years ago by local

Meacutetis businessman Doug

Golosky ldquoHe realized

the value of an air carrier

that could provide air

charter for the community

and he wanted to use his

backg round t o buil d from h is ex isti ng fa cil itiesrdquo

says Bill Houghton general manager at G-Sky

Golosky was born and raised in Fort McMurray

and had identified the needs of the surrounding

communities and businesses as they grew over the

year s Thou gh he h ad a nu mber of real ly successful

By Martin Dover

Making

ConnectionsFort McMurrayrsquos fleet of chartered planes provides anecessary link for the regionrsquos remote areas

T

businesses what he saw was an openi ng for runnin g small commercial pa ssenger

services that would support the needs of the surrounding communitiesThis often means a number of people reserving a plane for use when there

is no scheduled service or businesses shuttling employees in and out of

remote areas

ldquoThe community likes the availability of itrdquo says Houghton adding that there

are a number of charter businesses in the city that have found success With

aviation playing such a key role in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalorsquos

economy the technologies the Fort McMurray Airport Authority runs and

landing strips it maintains are also used by a number of smaller charter aircraft

throughout the region

G-Sky leases land from the airport on which the company has built its hangar

and office The airport provides services for private charters

through runway maintenance and facilities like instru-

ments landing systems and runway security The air port

and private charters like G-Sky interact when the airport has

plans to build or change something on the land They also

speak regularly about procedure

Houghton says not much has changed with the opening of the new

terminal but that it makes it easier for passengers to transfer from

fli ght s t hat land at t he m ain t e r m i nal t o a char t e r

ldquoWe work with the m to make our business workrdquo

says Houghton ldquoThey work with us to ensure our

busine ss is suc cessf ulrdquo

ldquoWe work with them to make ourbusiness work They work with us to

ensure our business is successfulrdquondash Bill Houghton

59NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 60: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6076

NORTHERN

INSPIRATION

A steel art installation along

the arrivals entrance wall

mimics the light and fluidity

of the aurora borealis

All photos courtesy Ema Peter

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION60 FlyYMMcom

Inside YMM

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 61: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6176

UTTING A SLEEK MODERN FORM

above a stark northern Alberta

landscape the new Fort McMurray

International Airport (YMM) terminal

project was designed to be a minimalist powerful

expression of one of Canadarsquos most notable land-

scapes and populations

In 2009 Vancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar

architects and designers (omb) began conceiving of

what the cit yrsquos upcoming bra nd new air port could

become Architec ts began prep arin g proposals to

the Fort McMurray Airport Authority who had contracted them for the ambitious

new airport design The team visited Fort McMurray toured the city and

surrounding minesites and began to consider what made the place truly special

Wal kin g aw ay th ey k new the y wou ld pl ace a n emph asi s on t he bu ild in grsquos

physical materia ls in order to make it truly fit the Wood Buf falorsquos

identity Rising to the challenge of designing a regional airport

that services more visitors than many cities omb embraced the

responsibility of welcoming thousands of people to a commu-

nity like none other

Airp orts are cha llengi ng build ings F unctiona lly they

must be effective and efficient easy for employees

By Lyndsie Bourgon

Boreal GatewayVancouverrsquos office of mcfarlane biggar architects

and designers weighs in on its award-winningdesign concept for the airport

C

61NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 62: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6276

and travellers alike to navigate They have a

form and function that does not easily lend itself

toward creative design Yet they are most often

the first glimpses we get of unfamiliar places and

should feel welcoming to everyone from returning

residents to tourists to those on business trips

And ombrsquos portfolio

of work aims to place the

firm as a champion of

innovative wood designs

whether that rsquos part of the

structure or an interior

finish ndash including the

companyrsquos own open airy headquarters in North

Vancouver They have been recognized as leaders

in changing how public buildings use wood in

indoor spaces and theyrsquore committed to finding

solutions that bring the warmth and character

of timber to spaces it might not otherwise be

found ndash like an airport ldquoOverall we set out to use

robust and straightforward materials in a timeless

and sophisticated wayrdquo says Steve McFarlane

principal architect at omb YMM is pa rt of that v ision ndash inside its

major public areas are defined by a mass timber structure comprised of

cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and wood beams New to North

America CLT is composed of multiple layers of lumber mdash in this case

salvaged from British Columbiarsquos pine beetle infestation Each layer is

oriented crosswise to the next Replacing what would normally be a steel

or concrete structure CLT provides a light but

rigid structure that enabled the team to increase

construction time and reduce the carbon

footprint and cost of construction Left exposed

it offers a beautiful and warm interior finish

ldquoThe process is very much a collaborative

endeavourrdquo says McFarlane including talking

about ldquoall the usual informationrdquo That information includes building

program and budget as well as some less tangible concepts for the space

For instance how might the airport express the values of the commu-

nity And how could the airport facilitate expansion in the future

What it has achie ved is an open bright welcoming space ndash in 2013 the y

won a prestigious Canad ian Architec t magazi ne Award of Excellence for

their work

YMM is 17000 0 square feet of wood concrete steel and glass which

McFarlane says they meant to appear as ldquosolid and void expansion and

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION62 FlyYMMcom

Rising to the challenge of designing aregional airport that services more than

most cities omb embraced the responsibilityof welcoming thousands of people to a

community like none other

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 63: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6376

Keyano College is thankful for the Fort McMurray Airport Authorityrsquoscommitment to world class air travel in and beyond this region Tiscommitment has a direct impact on life at Keyano

bull Over 80 countries are represented in our student body Tis year alone we welcomenew students from Australia Brazil Ireland Poland urkey and across Canada

bull

Te YMM Airport is an entry point for visiting athletes as our Huskies host moreteams from beyond our regionrsquos boundaries for tournaments and other activities

bull Our residents enjoy dozens of events and acts at the Keyano Teatre amp Arts Centre andthe new airport creates a favourable and professional impression for performers comingin to the community

Just as Keyano is a gateway to career growth you are a gateway to this region Congratulations to theFort McMurray Airport Authority for bringing 85 years of aviation in Wood Buffalo to new heights

Visit keyanoca to learn more about our College Athletics Teatre and the Keyano CollegeFoundation that makes much of this possible

From one gateway to another

THANKS

keyanoca

Photomagic by foto source

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 64: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6476

compression framed and filtered viewsrdquo The

airport is built out of materials that reflect the

region including weathering steel bitumen-

coloured metal cladding and unfinished

concrete There is an impressive steel art

installation along the large arrivals entrance

wall desig ned by omb

which mimics the au rora

borealis Those tougher

materials are balanced

with more natura l

materials like terrazzo

flooring exposed wood

along the ceiling and

acoustic white oak-panelled walls The interior

is a sort of industrial-boreal mix and McFarlane

notes that sustainability was a key part of the

design ldquoWherever possible measures were

taken to build with less and create an efficient

buildin g that is responsive to its use and settingrdquo

The design team kept everything f rom building

orientation to effective day-lighting in mind

and has tailored everything from the light fixt ures to carpeting The

airport boasts super-insulation in-floor radiant heating and heat recovery

systems

But it was the spirit of community that really jumped out as significant

to the firm In Canada few communities have garnered their own

personality and attention like Fort McMurray As part of that omb knew

that the design had to be functional but also

truly of the city

ldquoThe character of the Wood Buffalo Region

results from an incredibly diverse range of

influences The relationship to heavy industries

creates a unique sense of community unlike

anywhere in Canadardquo says McFarlane ldquoThere

are boreal forest and muskeg swamps rubbing

shoulders with active heavy industry It makes for a unique landscape ndash the

fact of its future is constantly changing and all these human and natura l

elements are attempting to adaptrdquo

McFarlane says that the oil industry wasnrsquot far from their minds

throughout the process ldquoThe design was inspired by the scale of oil sands

development ndash from the extent of the resource interventions to the size

of the equipment used and their physical qualities ndash imparting a vast

scale throughout the terminalrdquo That grandiosity of the natural world is

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION64 FlyYMMcom

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building form but we seeit as working to generate an iconic presencein the landscape It represents the modesty

and diversity of the community it serveswhile also capturing the vast scale of its

settingrdquo ndash Steve McFarlane

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 65: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 66: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6676

FlyYMMcom

civeocomapparent the moment visitors step off the plane The

new airport down the road from the old termina l

is still nestled in the wilderness ldquoThese circum-

stances inspired us to cha llenge the conventional

approach to the structure of the build ingrdquo adds

McFarlane ldquoSo we developed a system of modular

structures to simplify construction while alsoenhancing qual ity The most innovative aspect of

this would be the use of mass timber technologies

for the roof

ldquoItrsquos a really simple building formrdquo he says ldquoBut

we see it as working to generate a n iconic presence

in the landscape It represents the modesty and

diversity of the community it serves while also

capturing the va st scale of its settingrdquo

The firm has experience in building

regional airports and recently completed the

47000-square-foot Prince George Airport The

idea of airports as a g ateway to more than a city

has influenced its work greatly in both cities

Fort McMurray International is roomier than its

Prince George counterpart with more glass and

lighter woods that open it up to the rangela nds

just ou tside t he door It al so feat ures a re lati vely

seamless transition between i ndoor and outdoor

space capitalizi ng on its secluded location ndash there

is an outdoor courtya rd and green space for

wait ing p assen gers a nd vi sitors t hat t he ai rpor t

hopes will dr aw more people to get out of their

cars and come inside ldquoWe arra nged the whole

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 67: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6776

AURORA IN FLIGHTAlong with a brand new terminal the Fort McMurray

International Airport and Fort McMurray Airport Authority

also have new logos Inspired by the natural world around

the airport the logo harkens to the aurora borealis the

gesture of a birdrsquos wing the take-off on an airplane and

the tail of an aircraft

F R E E

DOW N L OAD U N T I L OC

T OBE R 3 1

As Alberta Oil celebratesits 10th year we reflectupon the biggest deals the

most regrettable gaffesand the greatest victoriesof the last decade

Check out the Octoberissue of Alberta Oil today ndashon newsstands and onlineat albertaoilmagazinecom NOW AV AILABLE

ON Y OUR T ABLE T alber t aoi lmagaz i necom

oct 2 0 14 t ablet

CONGRATULATIONS

thing somewhat atypical of airport planning so

that arriving passengers could be greeted with

generous day-lit spaces and direct access to

the landscaped courtyard as opposed to dark

basement-l ike a rri val space s found i n more

conventional airportsrdquo says McFarlane

The designers also kept in mind the needsof the future airport ndash a pressing concern even

now as the new terminal just opens ldquoThe abil ity

to respond to new airport technologies adapt

wit hin t he mar ketpla ce and serv e the i ndust ry

was a ll con sidered rdquo says McFa rlane ldquoThe desig n

allows the departures hold room and passenger

processing areas to expand independentl y based

on demand with minimal disruption to ongoing

operations Future expansions are basically

added modulesrdquo

The annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 68: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6876

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

Whats YOUR image of Wood BuffaloShow us at wwwShowCaseWoodBuffalocom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 69: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 6976

HO ON EARTH PLANS F OR 75

per cent growthrdquo asks Scott

Clements President and CEO of

the Fort McMurray Airport Author-

ity ldquoNobody doesrdquo No stranger to rapid ex pansion

the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo still

couldnrsquot predict such an unprecedented level of

growth for the four years following the change in

governance in 2010 The Airport Authority formed

after a sluggish 2009 in which growth flat-lined and

airport usage declined The expansion of the Fort

McMurray International Airport (YMM) would eventually accommodate

15 million passengers ndash sizable volume in 2009 numbers ndash yet even before

it launched in June 2014 reality hit projections for October illustrated a

brand new airport already bursting at the seams with a whopping 13 million

passengers between the new terminal and repurposed north terminal

This is no marker of inadequate planning In 2010 with 50 years

of experience in tow Scott Clements brought to the board of

directors a classical approach to the new YMM The Airport

Author ity comp iled g rowt h projec tions arr ivi ng at a

modest three per cent over the next 20 yea rs and

examined its options for accommodation

By Robbie Jeffrey

Nowhere toGo But UpAmidst unprecedented growth YMM accommodates the future

W

69NORTHERN STARSThe annual publication of the Oilsands Banquet

LookAhead

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 70: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7076

EXPANSION PLANS

The airport has been

intentionally designed to

accommodate larger capacity

over the next decade

It may seem conservative in hindsight but build-

ing an airport based on three per cent growth was

actually a gamble The Airport Authority persisted

however ldquoWe faced some pretty tough decisions

here as a board about whether

we were going to go out and

borrow that much money for

that size of a facility at the

timerdquo says Sheldon Schroeder

chair of the board of d irectors ldquoWe chose to do so

and it turned out to be the r ight decisionrdquo

Clements agrees ldquoIt was a very strategic decision

for the board to takerdquo he says ldquoThank good ness

they took it because in the subsequent four years we

grew by 75 per centrdquo When the new YM M opened to

the public on June 9 2014 it wa s already approach-

ing the designed capacity for 2030

Still there is no reason to pan ic Schroeder

assures ldquoPeople say lsquoYoursquore almost at capacit y

alreadyrsquo Well we are and wersquore notrdquo he says The

north terminal will be repurposed for charter

workforce traffic representing nearly 20 per cent

of the airportrsquos total volume ldquoThrough the new

terminal building wersquoll have more than one million

passengers and through the old terminal wersquoll still

have 200000 to 300000 So wersquove still got a little

bit to go yetrdquo he says This buys time but north

terminal traffic will still surpass 400000 in the

next five years

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2 011 for a 20-year timeframerdquo says Clements ldquoWell wersquove just redone itrdquo

The next 30 years a re mapped out in the revisions

First up are an additional two airside bridges slated

for 2017 ldquoIrsquoll be bring ing to the board a proposal to

add an expa nsion to the air side that we literal ly just openedrdquo Clements

says ldquoIn planning terms thatrsquos like next weekrdquo

Of course growth is precarious and difficult to anticipate especially

over 30 years ldquoThis faci lity was supposed to be sized for the next 25

yearsrdquo says Schroeder ldquoItrsquos always challeng ing

for institutional service facilities to keep up

with high growt h ratesrdquo Challenges certainly

lay ahead then ndash last yearrsquos growth cleared 25

per cent Yet some of the more fundamental

obstacles for future expansion are al ready concerns of the past

YMM now features a Canadian Border Services Agency and acquired

point of entry status enriching the cityrsquos investment potential The Air-

port Authority is pressing the federal govern ment to employ its Buildin g

Canada Fund in a joint effort to extend the runway to 9000 feet long

enough to handle larger international cargo aircraft along with several

other key additions to the airport infrastructure Further proposed

critical infrastructure from regional initiatives ndash like bridges across the

Clearwater and the Athabasca rivers an extension of Highway 881 and

a workersrsquo road into the northern work camps ndash supports the airport by

increasing ease of access and livability

Co-operation between the municipal and provincial governments

and the Airport Authority is also well established On a more personal

level Clements describes the new terminal as a place of community

pride and awe a ral lying point for Fort McMurray ldquoIrsquove been in this

business for about 53 yearsrdquo says Clements ldquoI have never seen a

municipality support an independent Airport Authority so quickly and

comprehensivelyrdquo

No one as Clements says can predict the future Yet the board

understands that Fort McMurray is no ordinary market ldquoOur vision is

to be the premier regional airpor t in Canada rdquo says Schroeder ldquoSo faras a board and ma nagement team wersquove hit a home run hererdquo

The home run is an apt metaphor for the expansions to come and

for the airport itself ndash a home ru n takes off like normal but it sur prises

everyone by flying further than ever imagined

ldquoWe did a master plan in 2011 for a20-year time framehellipWell wersquove just

redone itrdquondash Scott Clements

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION70 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 71: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7176

CONGRATULATIONS TO YMM FORT

MCMURRAY AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Edmonton Exchanger has provided plant construction and maintenance

services in the Fort McMurray region for over 35 years

We wish continued success to YMM Fort McMurray Airport Authority in

the years ahead

wwwedmontonexchangercom

Formerly CenturyVallen Vallen is Canadarsquos most

experienced provider of innovative safety industrial

janitorial and technical services and products With a

location in Fort McMurray we help companies across

Northern Alberta work smart

Fort McMurray

780 743 4336 | 3 431 MACKENZIE BLVD Safety | In dustrial | J anitorial | Technical Services vallenca

Introducing Vallen If youre looking to create a

safe healthy and productive workplace

well help you work smart

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 72: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7276

Flying by the Numbers

Then and NowFort McMurray International Airportrsquos traffic soared by 25 per cent in 2013making it the fastest-growing airport in Canada Here are some more numbersat the heart of the $258-million expansion

The number of parking stallseach of which is equipped with an

electrical outlet

The number of stalls at the oldterminal 62 of which werepowered2200 1092

The numberof food andbeveragevenues in

the newterminalincludingFamosoNeapolitanPizzeriaand Earls

The

numberof foodandbeverageoutlets inthe oldterminal

3000m2

The size of the terminal before

the airport expansion

15000m2

The size of the new YMM terminal

opened June 9 2014

at the new terminalThe number of air bridges

at the old terminalThe number of air bridges

The number of baggagecarousels in the old terminal

1

The number of baggagecarousels in the new terminal

2

The number of passengersthe new YMM terminal canaccommodate per year

The number of passengersthe old terminal couldaccommodate per year

1500000

2500002287 Total metres of runway (unchanged with the expansion)

12 million The number of passengers that travelled through YMM in 2013

242400

Oilsands company flights connecting annually through YMM

3 in 5Passengers travelling through YMM go to BC and Alberta

1700 The number of direct jobs created in 2013 generated by the

airport expansion

O T H E R

K E Y

N U M

B E R S

The number of publicaccess washrooms inthe new terminal

The number of publicaccess bathrooms inthe old terminal

102 Staff in the new terminal

(about double the staffnumbers pre-expansion)

135

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION72 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 73: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7376

8008324242 | TargetLogisticsnet

What you get out of your workforceall depends on what you put in

The Economics of Comfortreg

Great food is one of the most important investments you can make in your workforce But itrsquos not the only one Research has

proven that in addition to nutrition a good nightrsquos sleep and high crew morale can also have a significant impact on improving

worker productivity and reducing attrition sick days and accidents on the job We call it the Economics of Comfortreg Your

workers will call it home To receive a case study showing how we have helped drive profits to a clientrsquos bot tom line through

increased worker productivity call 800-832-4242 or visit TargetLogisticsnet

An ALGECO SCOTSMAN Company

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 74: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7476

Parting Shot

NORTHERN LIGHTS The

skies over northern Alberta

were part of the inspiration

for the new logo for the

Fort McMurray International

Airport See page 67 to

earn more

CELEBRATING85 YEARS OF AVIATION74 FlyYMMcom

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 75: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7576

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h

Page 76: Northern Stars 2014

8112019 Northern Stars 2014

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullnorthern-stars-2014 7676

Celebrating 50 years of employee-powered growth

ldquo W e rsquo v e

d o n e $ 2

b i l l i o n

i n b u s i n

e s s w i t h lo

c a l A bo r ig i n a l co

m p a n ie s rdquo ndash D

o u g W e b

b A b o r i g i

n a l B u s i n

e s s L i a i s

o n

ldquo I w a s

p a r t

o f a t e a m

t h a t d e s

i g n e d

a c r u s h

e r t o o t h

p r o t o t y p

e t h a t i s

n o w t h e

i n d u s t r

y s t a n d

a r d rdquo ndash M

e l C a l l a n

P r o j e c t s

ldquo We rsquo re leade r s toda y

a nd we rsquo l l be leade r s to m

o r ro w rdquo ndash Sar mad Ab b as Main tenance

ldquo T h e

r e rsquo s 3 0

k i d s

p l a y i n g

i n s t r u m e n t s

i n t h e

b a n d t h

a n k s t o

m y S y n c r u d

e c o - w o

r k e r s rdquo

ndash L a nce Fe r r i

s F ro t h T re a

t me n t

ldquo W e rsquo r e a

d v a n c i n

g r e c l a m

a t i o n s c

i e n c e f o

r t h e e n t

i r e i n d u s t r y rdquo

ndash J e s s i c a C l a r k E

n v i r o n m e n t

a l R e s e a r c h