I have done a quick search. Uranium City had about 5000 citizens at it's peak. Now has 89.

It would not surprise me if you were to arrive in town and go tot he town hall and offer to fix-up a home and start paying taxes for that property, the town clerk would say sold.

The area was hit hard economically when the mines were closed. But uranium is back on the rise as a mineral and there is suppose to be gold in the area, too. Mining activity is notorious for boom or bust mentallity. But mineral prices are on the rise, so activity near Uranium City is increasing.

From the sites I read, Uranium City sounds rather tranquile and peaceful.

Mountainman.

No roads leading to Uranium city.

No roads = no one will be following us!!

I keep hearing about a good BOL having limited access. This location is accessible by boat, plane, or ice road. The zombie hordes from Bay Street will not be trekking here.

Anyone know how to build greenhouses?? Might be necessary for a long term stay.

Mountainman.

Mountainman, it's not such a crazy idea. I talked with a fellow this summer (I've known him for 25 years) who told me that his brother bought a town in the prairies for 24k - a whole town with a church and 8 houses!!! Ha and he even declared himself the mayor! This is no lie. Originally he was just interested in one house but for a few thousand more he got a whole town - and his friends moved there with him and each have their own house!
So it's quite possible!

Get to know the locals first, they might not be so welcoming.

Well Mountainman when you talk remote places you don't mess around.

I agree that it is kind of a cool location, but the logistics of getting there will definitely take some huge planning especially if in a group. I think the ice roads are the only actual way to drive in and unless I am not looking at it right that would be a branch of the ice roads that start from Highways in the La Ronge area. The real access in the summer seems to be float plane, but I did read something about a gravel runway airport, so it might be possible to charter a plane from FT mac, PA or where ever seems closest.
I did find one guy trying to promote getting people investing in mines and claims for the area, because when the mines closed down uranium was 4$ a lb he says it is now about 60$ a lb.
I did a search on the Real Estate web site for houses for sale and found no listing but hey there is no Real Estate office located there either, that doesn't mean anything though there will definitely be stuff for sale, it may just not listed outside the area.

Anything is do-able but it just would take planning. I need to see some topo's and see if any 4x4 roads can be located.

In regards to the ice road Hwy 102 goes north from La Ronge then you take the 905 till you get to the winter road, you follow the winter road till it becomes the Ice road across the Athabasca Lake.
The 905 is almost 500 Km by itself, better have a jockey tank

Years ago, my freind s family came from there. He talked about the fact that everyone just walked away from their homes. Even leaving vehicles, atv's behind. There is suposed to be a winter road that goes across the lake from what he remembers. But he was just a kid then.

Get to know the locals first, they might not be so welcoming.

Gravlore,

Such negative energy. Think positive.

People get defensive and unwelcoming when the newcomer, comes in and wants to change everything right away.

Planning is the key to making this a positive experience for all. There are 89 residents who did not leave for whatever reason. For the most part, if the town was to grow to say 500, it would justify keeping their hospital open. That means there would be jobs in the healthcare industry. This hospital would be important to the local residents, the mining operations and new residents alike. Since some of our members already work in the healthcare industry, it would be easier to make the move if there is an opportunity for employment in that industry.

Further, due to the Northern location this town would qualify to have a Patrol with the Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. A component of the Canadian Forces Reserve Army. The good thing about the program is local autonomy for most situations. Once the Patrol is trained the Regular Force advisors leave operations and training in the hands of the Patrol Commander and the Section Leaders. Plus they offer leadership training once a year outside the community to increase the skill level of the Patrol leaders.

Yes, living in Uranium City would require teamwork and planning. Annual shopping trips to the South would need to be coordinated and a convoy of vehicles would make the trip to stock up on essentials - flour, beans, sugar, yeast, and other sundry & canned goods. With a greenhouse at every house, fresh veggies should be available most of the year. Of course, canning, freezing or other perserving methods will provide veggies during the other times of the year.

Add in some solar and wind generation and each home may be a stand alone system of self-sufficeincy. Due to limited fuel reserves in town it may make sense to have a quad, side-by-side or dune buggie for many driving tasks to save fuel, instead of running the pick-up or SUV.

The satellite pictures show a network of roads around the area. Mineral exploration roads?? These same roads should provide access to hunting grounds away from town.

PrepHer,

If any more prairie town exsist that are for sale, that would provide an equally interesting opportunity.

I like how many ideas this is generating. Please, don't stop. Let's keep this discussion going.

Mountainman.

Not trying to be negative gc. There are reasons why I say that, but I dont want to start a fight.

Gravlore,

No problems. This is an excercise to see if we can establish a plan for action. The logistics are great for this location. This is not a campsite BOL in Banff, just a couple hours away from Cow-town. If we can solve the logistics of making a group move to a place like Uranium City, we can adapt to making the move to any location in Canuckland. I like your observations and that you point them out, could you flesh out your response with more of your reason(s) behind your observations. Your insights will help make the planning more real.

I have been labelled a "dreamer" at times, so I am accustomed to hearing negative comments to some of my fantastic ideas. I am however, very open to hearing from the realists who can quantify their comments, that may at first come across as negative, but once explained in full, shows the holes in a fantastic idea. From this, a better plan is made from the revised idea and it transforms from a fantastic idea to realistic idea and workable plan.

So, please do not stop posting. I have thick skin. I would like to hear more about your insights and learn more of your reasons.

I am not trying to fight either. I enjoy a good exchange of ideas. Positive or negative, especially, if backed up with supportive information.

Let the exchange of ideas continue, please.

Mountainman.

Mountainman,
I did a quick search and apparently the hospital has been closed since 2003? There's one nurse there who seems to deal with all the emergencies and day-to-day stuff, and Athabasca Health sends dental and other medical troupes a few times a year, but the hospital itself is closed. http://www.athabascahealth.ca/uraniumcity.html

I think it's a brilliant idea: taking over a town long forgotten (or almost) with complete infrastructure and whatnot, and having it remote enough not to be bothered. However....what if uranium mining was needed again in the area? What if, either ours or another less friendly, government wanted what was in the ground around there? The Alberta government has already looked into this (not Uranium City itself but tapping into such a rich resource with prices going up [ http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8178.pdf ]) Not such a remote place after all and you can bet a road would be in there real quick. Followed by people. And not to be taken lightly, the pollution and toxicity of the mines themselves. 53 mines and 12 open pit mines around Beaverlodge lake??? Yikes. Reports of blind fish, severe heavy metal toxicity levels in the water and, I imagine from the open pit mines, stuff in the air that many wouldn't feel comfortable around? Double yikes.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2010/10/27/sk-uranium-city-dust-1010.html
http://www.icucec.org/files/Risks%20to%20Health%20%20and%20Safety.pdf

I did find this one though which gives some hope!
http://us.areva.com/home/liblocal/docs/Operations/Mining/1420%20Uranium%20City.pdf

Honestly, I'm not so sure I would sign up for this particular site. LOVE the remoteness, love the resources around, and heck, I even love the idea that everything's already there! But. There's no guarantee that it'll be shut down forever. With oil and gas going strong but getting harder and harder to get, what's to say that Canada won't have a nuclear power program? And where will they mine? They already have mines set up, they've got infrastructure for those they'll employ ready and waiting (hopefully with a few renovations!) and it's far enough away from major centres that there won't be the massive outcry of "not in MY backyard!" that there could be should the mining be done nearer one of those centres. I don't know. Like I said, I think it's brilliant, but 50 some years of open pit mines left to themselves kinda creeps me out enough not to want to move in the vicinity. Or at least have my own water, soil, air and animal tissue samples done!

Dang, the pictures are pretty though! 😉

MamaBear,

I like how quick you were able to do your research. Great work.

I am not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Uranium City is not perfect, but it is a perfect example of a ghost town that could be brought back to life.

Are there any other ghost towns that are ready to move into that can host a community of like-minded folks who don't have a fortune to invest? That was part of the appeal to Uranium City, low initial costs. Someone on here must have at least heard of a town that everyone moved away and now is vacant??? Anyone??

Thanks for input, MamaBear.

Mountainman.

I know of a few guys who purchased an old mining town in British Columbia and have turned it into a small fishing, hunting, golf type get away spot. There are many such places through out western Canada. Heck what if it was not a complete ghost town but just a small hamlet with a bunch of empty lots and a bunch of us bought lots and sort of just worked together to establish it. For a few years I lived in a small hamlet in central alberta that when I drive through today has a good 12+ empty lots. There are a TON of these little villages and hamlets spread across the prairies and many of them "appear" not to have strict building codes. Very interesting idea.

To add to travellers post, here is a list of Alberta Ghost towns.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ghost_towns_in_Alberta