Fort McMurray Heritage Shipyard, Image via Economic Development and Tourism
FORT McMURRAY — The Heritage Shipyard is being temporarily relocated to allow construction to continue on a critical phase of Fort McMurray’s downtown flood mitigation project.
Crews have started dismantling and moving the shipyard from its current location on Clearwater Drive to a temporary site behind the downtown Sobeys store on Riedel Street.
The move is expected to be completed by late August and is required to continue construction of Reach 6 of the downtown flood mitigation system.
Clearwater Drive will be partially closed between Queen Street and Riedel Street while shipyard assets are moved.
“The temporary relocation of the Heritage Shipyard allows us to continue making important progress on flood mitigation while also protecting one of the community’s valued heritage properties,” said Elliot White, director of Project Delivery and Facility Services.
White said the municipality has worked with heritage experts to ensure the shipyard and its artifacts are safely relocated and preserved during construction.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says secure fencing and 24-hour security will be used to protect the shipyard structures and artifacts while they are stored at the temporary site.
Experts from the Alberta Museums Association are working with the municipality’s heritage team to ensure artifacts are handled, transported and stored according to museum practices.
Once Reach 6 is completed, it will connect with other portions of Fort McMurray’s flood mitigation system to help reduce the risk of future flooding and protect downtown residents and businesses.
The shipyard artifacts will eventually be moved to a new museum being constructed adjacent to the original Heritage Shipyard site. SEO
The municipality says the downtown flood mitigation project is intended to reduce the risk of damage and lessen the financial and social impacts of future flooding.
Construction timelines and information about temporary impacts will be updated as work progresses.
Residents with questions can contact the municipality’s Pulse line at 780-743-7000.
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