The PEGG

July 2001

Welcome to Boomtown

BY MITCHEL AZMIER, P.ENG.
Fort McMurray Branch Chair

The oilsands are booming! APEGGA members here and throughout the province are supporting the design, construction and operation of projects in the Fort McMurray region. In addition to many feasibility studies and pilot plant facilities, there are new plants being built and existing plants are expanding.

Another large portion of our membership works for the growing number of manufacturing and engineering firms in town.

As might be expected, the population of Fort McMurray is increasing rapidly. Infrastructure improvements are under way to support the development in the region. The highway north to the plant sites was recently expanded to four lanes to improve safety and traffic flow, and a new overpass is planned for one of the major intersections downtown.

The rate of development is exciting and challenging to our members. As such, our branch executive and volunteers have planned the following events to support the membership.

September: Members, MITs and Students Casual Evening
October: Professional Development Day
November: Wine and Cheese Evening
December: Mentoring Evening
February 2002: President's Visit and Induction Ceremony
March 2002: Branch AGM
Various: Technical Nights with CIM.

The branch executive is looking forward to enjoying these events with you this year, and we hope to see you out! We would like to welcome those of you who are new to the area, and invite you to join us as well.

Further details on the branch and its activities can be found at www.apegga.org/aboutappegga/branches/index_fortmc.htm; if you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.