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UPDATE: May 3rd Commemoration

Last Updated May 1, 2017 at 5:35 pm MDT

PHOTO. Sign welcoming residents upon re-entry after a 6 week evacuation due to wildfire. NICOLE BAGGIO. Staff.

To commemorate all that the community and Wood Buffalo region have been through this past year since the wild fire and evacuation, a community gathering will be held at Snye Point Park on May 3, 2017.

This will be a community-driven, dawn-to-dusk gathering.

The format of the event is based on feedback from residents and stakeholders and in keeping with lessons learned from other communities in disaster recovery.

“Marking this occasion is an important step in our region’s recovery,” said Mayor Melissa Blake. “We want to provide an opportunity for friends and neighbours to come together, reflect, and share in a safe and supported community environment.”The atmosphere is aimed at being tranquil, supportive, welcoming and community-centered.

No formal presentation will be made at the gathering and all activities will be free.

Schedule:

5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Community breakfast accompanied by wellness activities such as sunrise meditation and yoga

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Community-driven arts, recreation, leisure and spiritual activities

5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Community barbecue and informal activities including local artists, acoustic performances and games

Activities during the day include lunch hosted by Unifor, yoga, meditation, a pipe ceremony, art activities and more.

A full schedule of events can be found on the Municipalities website. 

Getting Around: 

With increased levels of traffic and pedestrian activity, parking will be limited and road closures will be in effect, so residents are encouraged to use transit where possible.

From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., complimentary buses will shuttle passengers between the Main Street terminal at the Jubilee Building and Snye Point Park.

The buses will take passengers between Snye Point Park for the event and three pick-up locations downtown.

The buses will also service the overflow parking lot at Borealis Park.

Charter pick-up locations:

  • Main Street bus terminal
  • Biggs Avenue parking lot
  • Morrison Street parking lot behind A&W

 

For the duration of May 3, 2017, Morimoto Drive will be closed.

As well, Hardin Street will be closed between Gordon Avenue and Snye Point Park and Morrison Street will be closed between Gordon Street and Morimoto Drive.

Transit will also operate a Specialized Bus (Smart Bus) on May 3.

Residents requesting Smart Bus services will need to reserve 24 hours in advance.

Reservations are available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be made via the Smart Bus Booking Line at 780-743-7909.

Regular transit operations will continue on May 3 in addition to charter service for the Community Gatherings.

However residents may experience delays in the downtown area due to increased traffic.

Rural communities 

There are events planned for Fort Chipewyan, Anzac and Gregoire Lake Estates, Conklin, and Janvier in the days following,such as barbecues, children’s activities, mindfulness exercises and presentations.

Anyone with questions about the Community Gatherings or about the rebuild and recovery of the region can call the PULSE Line at 780-743-7000 or can email recovery@rmwb.ca.