After past missteps, Fort McMurray unveils latest public artwork

When it comes to municipally-funded art, Fort McMurray, like other communities, hasn't always hit the mark.

But the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is hopingcommunity members get behind its latest effort, Reflections on the River,a two-storey steel sculpture on the MacDonaldIsland Park causeway, unveiled Friday.

With the Athabasca and Snyerivers as aback drop, the metal sculpture designed by artist David Robinson, features a paddler in acanoe skimming atopa water surface.

"Art, generally, can be controversial," Scott said. "I think this reflects the best of public art. It's in the right place. There's been lots of consultation."

Most reaction so far to the sculpture, commissioned for$375,000,hasbeen positive, said NabilMalik, vice-chair of the public art committee.

The committee learned from less successful attempts at public consultations, Malik said.

"Knowing the history of our region and some of the challenges that we have gone though and the structures that have gone up where the public wasn't as engaged, we really wanted to make sure we had something transparent," he said.

In 2015, the city installed a $1.6-million movable stage and the$2.2-million Weather Catcher, a brushed stainless-steel monument that the municipality insists is not public art but "an architectural feature."

Many residents derided both as wasteful spending.

Plane vs public art: Fort McMurray float plane pilot fights for safety

6 years ago

Duration 1:34

A pilot is worried an art monument being installed near the Snye River in downtown Fort McMurray will be a hazard for float planes."[Many] aircraft accidents occur at or just after take-off," says Peter Hunt, who operates the Fort McMurray Water Aerodrome.

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Reflections on the Riverisn't without its own controversy.

A float-plane pilot and operator of the nearby aerodrome feared the sculpture would pose a safety risk, sitting in the path of aircraft landing and taking-off on theSnyeChannel.

• Float plane pilot calls riverside sculpture in downtown Fort McMurray a flight hazard

But Paul Hunt and the municipality reacheda compromise, removingseveral trees in the vicinity to make way for an alternative flight path.

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