Welcome to Saprae Creek
Saprae Creek is a secluded subdivision in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It is known for its beautiful forested landscape, extensive leisure trail system, breathtaking scenery, twilight sky, and community appeal. Saprae Creek is home to 754 residents living and working in the Fort McMurray region.
This is your comprehensive information guide to Saprae Creek living.
Welcome to The Creek!
The Beginnings...
The idea of a peaceful country subdivision for the busy people of Fort McMurray was spurred in 1983 by Wayne Freestone, Winnie Sommer and Alex Day. These Fort McMurray residents dedicated their time and effort to see if this idea could be turned into reality. They advertised a meeting in the local newspaper and about 100 people showed up. From the meeting a group was formed to figure to get the process started. It was a risky endeavor, considering it was the same time the oil industry was reeling in economic turmoil as the National Energy Program of the early 1980’s had all but halted oil development in the Fort McMurray region. The group approached the Alberta Government, and despite the economic situation of the region, the government recognized the potential residential development. The government released a parcel of land and the opportunity to submit a development plan.
The group’s first plan was rejected. Waterline issues, among others stalled progress. MLA Norm Weiss weighed in on the group's behalf and got a plan approved in 1985.
Once approved, the group needed some capital to work with and so the Saprae Creek Cooperative Ltd. was formed. The project had reached the point where families needed to invest their own money. As oil was risky business in the early 80’s and Fort McMurray’s intense economic boom had been abruptly halted, not surprisingly, many would-be-investors backed out.
Fifty-two of the original 100 remained. These risky investors were pleased to see the beginning of construction on roads and utilities in the summer of 1986.
All seemed to be running smoothly when the Cooperative ran out of money to complete the project. They approached the Alberta Treasury Branch, and with the help of MLA Norm Weiss got a loan with an Alberta Government guarantee. To ease the financial burden on the Cooperative, contractors working on the project were given the option of taking lots in lieu of payment.
With the uncertain economic position of the region in 1987, lot sales were slow. Long time residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo would remember the Bridge to Nowhere and the Timberlea Dead Roads. Fort McMurray was not a thriving boomtown it had once laid claim.
Saprae Creek was completed in the fall of 1987 and construction on the first house began immediately. In the spring of 1988, the Worrells moved into their cozy 2 story home and marked their place in history as the first family in Saprae Creek. Over the next few years, a dozen or so families took up residency in this quiet, rural neighbourhood.
In the spring of 1991, the Alberta Treasury Branch foreclosed on the loan. The Cooperative went bankrupt and group had to sell lots for half price. A lot could be purchased for $15,000. Homeowners and investors jumped at the opportunity and eventually all lots were sold. The bank paid the contractors, at a loss. The Department of Transport lost money for their help with the waterline. All cash invested in the project was lost.
Ten years later after the first residents planted their roots and when the regions oil reserves had established new confidence, Fort McMurray was back on the boomtown swing. Starting in 1998, Saprae Creek saw an influx of growth with houses popping up by the dozen. Of Saprae Creek’s 208 lots, few were available for purchase.
To fill the demand for eager homeowners vying to get a rural retreat, a new development was proposed in April 2004. Developer Tom Stratton presented a plan, proposing to build half acre lots. The initial plan was met with strong opposition. Many residents felt the lots were too small and wouldn’t blend in with the spacious layout of the existing subdivision. After public meetings and discussions between the developer, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Saprae Creek Residents Society and the current and future residents, a new development was proposed and passed in the fall of 2005.
The outcome is Spruce Valley Estates. Although still under contruction it is a beautiful looking development. The crew is good at keeping the place tidy in spite of the scale of work going on. The roads are paved and people are hoping to move into their new homes in the spring of 2007.
Road Names
Weiss Drive MLA Norm Weiss
Freestone Way Wayne Freestone
Community Lane Its a community
Sol Park Drive French for sun
Rue Road play on words - ran out of names
Saprae Crescent originally named Clearwater Crescent
Sommer Way after Winnie Sommer
Conifer Way like the tree
Evergreen Place again for the trees
Spruce Valley Gate the road connecting the old and the new…
SCRS
All residents of Saprae Creek 18 years of age or older are automatically a member of the Saprae Creek Residents Society (SCRS).
The SCRS is a member elected board of directors that represents the community on all matters.
All residents of the community will be made aware of issues as they arise and will be notified via the following:
Bulletin Board (by the mailboxes)
The Big Sign (also by the mailboxes)
Broadcast email (email contact is optional and if you wish to be notified in this way, you need to be put on the list …)
Monthly Newsletter (in newsletter box attached to the bulletin board)
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on or before January 15th (NEW DATE?). The date and time of the meeting will be advertised using the above mentioned routes and will likely be held at Vista Ridge.
Special General meetings will be held when the need arises to obtain community input and possible votes.
At the AGM 6 people will be elected from the community at large and a 7th person from the Saprae Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Terms range from 1 to 3 years. No 2 members of immediate family may serve on the board at the same time.
The positions are: Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 directors responsible for their individual roles (determined at the first meeting of the board). In the past, these have included Recreation, Infrastructure and Youth directors.
A copy of the SCRS bylaws can be obtained by contacting any member of the current executive or on the SCRS website at SapraeCreek.com or
Vista Ridge
Vista Ridge is Saprae Creek’s #1 visitors’ destination. Located in the heart of the boreal forest, it provides fantastic panoramic views of the regions’ geography. Vista Ridge is a hidden jewel for alpine enthusiasts looking to ski, ride and slide, without the mountain, that is...
The slopes provide a vertical drop of 125m. There are 5 trails, ranging from easy to very difficult, a beginners’ area, snow and tube parks. The longest run is 3000 feet. A quad lift, 2 tow bars and a Wondercraft can handle 3800 skiers and tubers per hour.
The ski and snowboard season generally runs from mid November to early April. All ski equipment can be rented, including skis, snowboards, helmets, shaped skis, snow blades and snow decks. The trails, half pipe and snow parks are maintained by 2 Bombardier BR400 snow groomers.
The main lodge has a cafeteria that is open all ski days and the bar opens at noon daily. Seating for up to 300 offering a birds’ eye view of the Clearwater River Valley. Perfect for summer wedding receptions…
In peak season, Saprae Creek comes alive and often Vista Ridge parking overflows onto the roads. Park and drive with care.
Come see why Vista Ridge is “The best non-mountain winter recreation area in Alberta”.
Hill Conditions: 799-SNOW (7669)
Bussing Available weekends and holidays.
Visit them online
Things to do in Saprae Creek
Saprae Creek has outdoor activities for all ages to enjoy. Next to Vista Ridge, our region boasts having one of the most extensive trail system in the region. Providing both motorized and non-motorized trails, Saprae Creek is a haven for ATV enthusiasts, snowmobilers, cyclists, hikers, walkers and cross-country skiers. An old map of the Points West Trail is available and the SCRS has been trying to recruit volunteers to map out the entire trail system in the Saprae Creek area. (If you are interested in volunteering for this project please call a board member or Councillor Renee Rebus.)
The Saprae Creek Fire Hall and grounds are located between Freestone Way and Saprae Crescent. Along with the Olympic-sized outdoor rink with lights and a warm-up shack (known as the best outdoor rink in the entire region), there is a baseball diamond with bleachers, a beach volleyball court, basketball nets, playground, expansive lawn and playing field. The facility has hosted a variety of events including the Mayor and Council Picnic, a Volunteer Appreciation barbeque, Santa Skates, Summer Camps and Canada Day parades. Most areas of the facility are available for rent. Our hall and grounds provide an ideal setting for birthday parties, meetings, courses and sports events. Another playground is located on the East side of Freestone Way.
Septic System Care
Saprae Creek has city water but sewage is disposed of by the use of individual septic systems. Septic systems are an effective, long-standing method of collecting, treating and disposing of sewage from rural homes. Most commonly in field or mound form here are some tips to keeping your septic system running smoothly and relatively inexpensively for years.
Septic system care begins with smart water use and waste disposal habits. Do not use more water than you need. Restrict the use of your garbage disposal. Do not pour grease or cooking oil down the sink drain. Periodically have the solids pumped out of your tank. Maintain adequate vegetation over the drain field. Do not drive on the field or mound. Keep surface waters away from the tank and drainfield. Do not build near the septic field or mound area. And perhaps most importantly, do not dispose of chemicals such as bleach, paints, and solvents into your system as they may kill soil microorganisms that help purify the sewage. To help keep your tank bacteria “hot” add a pouch of septic tank treatment (available at the grocery store) to your tank once a month.
Natural Beauty
Situated on the parallel ridge to the Fort McMurray airport, Saprae Creek is in the heart of the boreal forest. It boasts a spectacular view into downtown Fort McMurray, nestled snuglyamongst the fertile valleys of the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers.
On your easterly drive home, along highway 69, you will be presented with a glimpse of the Boreal forest and all it’s offerings: sandy jackpine stands,wetland marshes, matchstick spruce trees, top heavy aspens, and, of course, all the creatures who call it home.
Our wildlife neighbours include a long list from little birds to a big white wolf watching the intersection of Spruce Valley Drive and Highway 69, while curious onlookers slow down to confirm his presence Bears, lynx, moose, wolves, foxes, coyotes, deer and fishers are some of the wildlife you might see. Birds of all kinds make their homes along with ours in the forest: chickadees, whiskey jacks, blue jays, robins, ravens, magpies, crows, Evening and Pine grosbeaks, red polls, sparrows, grouse, downy woodpeckers, hummingbirds, owls, hawks and even a family of Sandhill cranes.
Information and Contacts
Monthly newsletter Caroline Kehler
Web page
Bulletin Board at the mailboxes
Big Sign for SCRS’ use to keep residents as current as possible
Email list community notices can be sent to you if you register on the list.
Garbage pick up
Monday mornings. Remember we share our yards with our animal neighbours. Store garbage properly and put it out on Monday morning instead of Sunday evening. Bears only become problems when they discover human garbage. Maximum 4 pieces no more than 44 pounds each.
Contact: Canadian Waste Management? Or RMWB?
RMWB
Streets 743-7859
Rural water issues 799-5823
Bylaw/RCMP – emergency 911
Or 799-8888
Non-emergency 799-8850
email complaints to
SCRS
Board contact info available in monthly newsletter, found in the newsletter box by the mailboxes.
Facility Rentals
Rate $25.00/hour
Contact Caroline 790-2655
Newspaper Delivery John Mywaart 743-4225
School Bus contact #’s: Catholic school Board 799-5714
Public School Board 799-7900
Centre Boréal 791-0200
Pizza Delivery OJ’s Steak and Pizza 799-3232
Chinese Food Delivery FrontierDining790-9007
Fort McMurray Terminals: Railway/Highwayquestions and concerns
Contact Shawn 715-3883