ATCO Frontec and Fort McKay First Nation Open 500-Room Oilsands Lodge North of Fort McMurray
Creeburn Lake Lodge Delivers Sustainable Benefits to Joint Venture Partners
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2008) - Partners ATCO Frontec and the Fort McKay First Nation officially opened their 500-room Creeburn Lake Lodge on Wednesday which brings much-needed, high quality accommodation to the Alberta oilsands region 65 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
At a celebration featuring the pounding of drums, traditional dancing, a ribbon-cutting and official blessing by an Elder, Chief Jim Boucher and ATCO President and Chief Executive Officer Nancy Southern said the project showcases a true partnership delivering sustainable benefits to both organizations.
"This unique venture with the Fort McKay First Nation brings together the expertise, human resources and experience of our two organizations to provide top-quality housing where it is critically needed," said Ms. Southern. "It builds on ATCO's longstanding history of creating mutually beneficial projects and joint ventures with Aboriginal communities across Canada."
Chief Jim Boucher added: "Creeburn Lake Lodge stands as a prime example of the substantial and important work we are doing as a First Nation. It will continue delivering numerous opportunities for our community and we look forward to partnering with ATCO in future projects."
The 130,000 square foot lodge includes a dining room, licensed lounge, games room, fitness centre, meeting rooms, television rooms, laundry facilities, and on-site parking with plug-ins. Every room features a 26-inch LCD TV/ DVD system, high-speed Internet, and individual environment controls.
The joint venture agreement also governs the operation of the lodge, which offers an array of career opportunities for members of the Fort McKay First Nation.
Primarily assembled using top-quality, state-of-the-art modules built by ATCO Structures, the lodge has been designed to allow for future expansion depending on market demand.
Since partnering in Creeburn Lake Lodge, ATCO Frontec and the Fort McKay First Nation have announced two additional ventures - a 603-room complex for workers at the Albian Sands Energy project and a more than 1,100-room complex for Suncor Energy.
The Fort McKay First Nation is comprised of Cree and Dene people who have lived along the Athabasca River for generations. Fort McKay is considered one of the most progressive First Nations in Canada [sic] and has established a wide range of oil industry-based companies that provide employment opportunities and revenue for the community. More information on Fort McKay can be found at www.fortmckay.com.
ATCO Frontec, a subsidiary of Canadian Utilities Limited, part of the ATCO Group of companies, specializes in the rapid mobilization and delivery of site support services and facilities management to the defence, transportation, telecommunications and resource sectors. More information is available at www.atcofrontec.com.
ATCO Group, an Alberta-based worldwide organization of companies with assets of approximately $8.5 billion and more than 7,800 employees is comprised of three main business divisions: Power Generation, Utilities (natural gas and electricity transmission and distribution) and Global Enterprises (industrials, technology, logistics and energy services).
Companies within these business divisions that also have a presence in Fort McMurray and the Athabasca oilsands region include: ATCO Gas, ATCO Electric, ATCO Structures, ATCO Noise Management and ATCO Power.
More information about ATCO Ltd. can be found at www.atco.com.
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