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Syncrude exposes contract workers to the region

IMAGE. Supplied by Syncrude.

Syncrude has partnered with the Regional Recreation Corporation (RRC) of Wood Buffalo in an effort to give contract workers a chance to recharge.

Approximately 2500 contract workers were brought in by Syncrude for this spring’s Project Denali turnaround. In an effort to give them a healthy distraction, Syncrude has supplied them with passes to MacDonald Island Park, where they can recharge both physically and mentally for their next shift cycle.

Will Gibson, spokesman for Syncrude said this is more than just an effort to help with the physical and mental well-being of their workers, who typically work 12-hour shifts and are away from home for 40 to 60 days.

“We wanted people who come across the country to work on our turnarounds, they usually only see the airport or a campground, so we saw this as an opportunity to show them the real Fort McMurray.”

He said exposing people to what the community has to offer is an added bonus, but will hopefully create ambassadors for our region.

Kevin Morin of Building Trades of Alberta said the initiative isn’t uncharacteristic of the oil-giant. He said they’ve always had the best interest of the workers in mind, from mental health brochures to bringing chiropractors and massage therapists to the work camps.

“Unless they’re fortunate enough to work near where you live, they’re going to be away from their families a lot. There’s a lot of problems that arise just because of that.”

Morin said he often sees the same faces coming back to Syncrude, including his father, because they prefer working for Syncrude compared to others.

He added that he was surprised when they had to order more than 8000 passes, thinking the initiative would largely go unnoticed.

Project Denali will also distribute passes to local contractors and workers not living in camp that are working on the turnaround.