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Buildingup and onward

Heavy North supports the rebuild in Fort McMurray

By Rebecca Dahl

“Together, we are stronger,” reads the banner stretching across Heavy North Construction Ltd.’s Fort McMurray office. The words are a reminder of how Fort McMurray residents and businesses alike have come together to rebuild the community and surrounding area after the May 2016 wildfire that ripped through the region. The devastating fire is considered the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history.

Heavy North used what resources it had to help clean up after the fire. The company was one of few local contractors awarded work with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to perform demolition work throughout the rebuilding process. The company also conducted additional work post-fire with private condo boards. As a member of the Fort McMurray Construction Association, Heavy North attends and supports networking events, such as golf tournaments. This means Heavy North

Steve Bolen, president and CEO (left) and Raj Sawh, chief operating officer and vice-president of operations. SUPPLIED by heavy north.

Heavy North is a construction engineering-based company specializing in oil and gas and civil infrastructure projects. Since the forest fires destroyed 2,400 homes and many other buildings, Heavy North has been working hard to help pick up the pieces. The fire created uncertainty among Heavy North staff, said marketing manager Karli Stewart. Several managers and other staff members lost their homes, as did many of the company’s clients. “Through diversification in other regions and markets, we continued to grow and succeed post fire,” said Stewart. “However, we continue to build projects in the region and maintain an office in Fort McMurray.”

is engaged in the local construction community, as the FMCA also shares industry and tender information for upcoming projects in the region with its members. Heavy North prides itself on its staff, operational excellence and relationships with partners and clients, said Stewart. She said the company is proud of its partnership with Mikisew North LP at Mikisew Cree First Nation. Heavy North is a partner of the Indigenous-owned business, which has built a wide variety of projects in Fort Chipewyan region. It’s the “together we are stronger” philosophy that allows Heavy North to build successful partnerships with different communities, and help build a stronger Fort McMurray. n

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