cow herds?

[cswilson]

The closest major sized community is Meadow Lake and it's going to lose alot of northern business to Fort MacMurray.

[cowman]

Or maybe Meadow Lake might just boom? The distance to Fort Mac from Meadow lake is close to the distance from Fort Mac to Edmonton? If you've ever been on the road to Fort Mac from Edmonton you know what a nightmare it is!
I don't see why Meadow Lake would lose business to Fort Mac? Everything in Fort Mac is super high priced, from housing to food to services? I would think Meadow Lake would be a good place to expand and boom?
Emerald: I think in the last couple of days a whole lot of grain has come off? The locals are at it fast and furious, especially canola. Another few days and this crop is in the bin?

[cowman]

I know your area is a lot further ahead than this area, fields are still fairly wet here. We got snow on Wednesday evening !

I tend to agree with Meadow Lake and area perhaps getting benefits of the new highway vs Fort Mac. Living costs are through the roof in Fort Mac.

[grefer]

Does anyone else think this road has more to do with oil sands located in Saskatchewan than anything else?I don't buy the jobs for northeners and tourism stuff.

[cswilson]

Where is all this extra business going to come from-you think Albertans are going to drive to Saskatchewan to pay sales tax-tooo funny. Meadow Lake is already doing pretty good compared to most towns in Sask. as long as the mills don't close.

[cowman]

Well anytime you get a heavy traffic area you are going to get a lot of business opportunities in the service area? Also with the housing prices in Fort Mac and Edmonton for that matter, Meadow Lake is going to look very attractive for workers looking to move their families?
I assume this highway could be a definite alternative for moving in the heavy equipment, material needed at Fort Mac...probably why they built it?

[grefer]

I don't think this will be a heavy haul road for equipment to Fort Mac.The highway to Meadow Lake won't take the loads.I think this road is to connect Fort Macs' infustructer to the resources in Sask.Enbridge is going to build another pipe line from Edmonton to Fort Mac anyway.I don't believe the sales tax is an issue either.The higher prices for alot of things in Alberta more than offset the sales tax.

[cswilson]

Well if I ever spot an Albertan driving on a Sask. highway to come shopping I'll let everybody know lol.

[cswilson]

It is going to be interesting to see if there are a significant number of people working in Fort Mac that do decide to live in Meadow Lake. Cost of all goods and services in Fort Mac are significantly higher than the rest of AB.,so even with the higher taxes in Sask. it may cost less to live. I would bet that housing costs are less.

I was in Lloydminster recently and checked real estate prices. Similar properties in AB were higher than on the Sask. side.

[PureCountry]

1) A higher traffice area equates into absolutely ZERO guarantee of benefit to a 'service area' cowman. Hardisty has one of the largest trucking load/unload facilities in Western Canada, and there is very little spinoff. One gas station - that sucks - and one petro-pass bulk fuel dealer. We get alot less than you'd ever think.

2) I've worked in Ft. Mac alot. A $h!thole apartment will cost you $12-1500/month. People rent spare bedrooms out for $1000/month. I've heard of guys slapping up bedrooms in their garages and renting them out for the same.

3) If I was anywhere in Sask., the last thing I'd want is the 'Money Train' of the oilpatch to come rolling in. Preserve your way of life as much as you can. Don't move your clocks back.


I don't know how many of you heard the latest survey. The wife and I heard it on the radio on Saturday. It showed that the crankiest employees, most depressed workplaces, and worst interoffice relationships in Canada, were in Alberta. It also said that depression due to stress and all it's consequences are the highest in the country.

So, the province who's making so much money the government is giving it away, has the highest rate of depression...hhmmmmmmm.

[cswilson]

Meadow Lake to Fort Mac is a pretty fair commute-they could almost live in the okanogan valley lol. Does Fort Mac have a casino-if it does there won't even be a track in the snow from the north to Meadow Lake.

[rookie]

purecountry, your albertan eh?!

[PureCountry]

Yeah, I'm Albertan, eh.

And yes, there is a casino in the Fort. Quite a happenin' little place. Different band every week, lots of card tables, ding-dings, and all the smoke you could possibly inhale.

[cswilson]

That new highway is almost 100miles north of Meadow Lake if I'm not mistaken.

[PureCountry]

Boy that's scary country up there. Coyotes, wolves, bears, Campbells.lol