The vibrant heart of Fort McMurray is rich with lively ambiance, beautiful character homes and affordable and trendy condos. Downtown appeals to a wide range of residents including families and students. Residents enjoy the many activities, festivals and outdoor markets with a special Fort McMurray flair. The peaceful river bank of the syne, stunning parks and World Class Recreational facilities such as Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, Shell Place and Suncor Community Leisure Centre are enjoyed by the entire Fort McMurray community. The hub of this amazing city offers retail and cultural activity, filled with a diverse mix of shops, malls, restaurants, coffee shops, live performance and sports venues as well as cultural centres.
Downtown Fort McMurray, also known as the Lower Townsite, is home to three senior centres, the Golden Years Society, Rotary House Seniors lodge and Willow Square Continuing Care Centre. The famous MacDonald Island Park, Canada's largest community recreational, leisure centre hosts activities and events for all ages with recreational activities such as Baseball Stadium, a badminton centre, indoor turf field house, running track, climbing wall, gym, children's playground, the public library, curling rink, NHL sized ice rink, swimming pools, art gallery, conference and hospitality spaces. The Miskanaw Golf Club is home to the 240 acre, 18-hole course, a driving range. This course is among the top 1% of public, municipal golf clubs in Canada. Locals and visitors alike enjoy Heritage Village or the Waterfront Heritage Shipyard. Wood Buffalo is a region with a rich local history that can also boast of being home to many residents from all over the world.
The core shopping district for the region is described as a series of commercial areas, interspersed with residential neighbourhoods, a medical hub and the Keyano College Clearwater Campus.
Downtown is served by two major shopping Malls. Peter Pond Mall is a 203,000 SF, two level centre with a diversified mix of 60 retailers and River City Mall (Formerly Plaza 2) features 59,369 SF of retail and office anchored by Shoppers Drug Mart.
The Downtown Fort McMurray commercial sector offers numerous Power Centres, Strip Malls, Neighbourhood Retail, light Industrial and Large Format Retailers including financial institutions, mixed retail, local business and services restaurants and hotels and more in various commercial nodes throughout the area. The primary office zone is west of Hardin Street. There are also public facilities, such as the courthouse and a library.
