City of Powell River has just over 14,000 people.Regionally (Saltery Bay to Sarah Point) – Just over 22,000 (includes Texada Island, Savary Island, Lasqueti and Hernando Islands, Sliammon and the City of Powell River).
Location & Climate:
Powell River is located on the BC mainland 135 km (88 miles) northwest of Vancouver. Jervis Inlet separates the Powell River Region from the lower Sunshine Coast. To the west lies the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island.
Powell River is situated on the upper Sunshine Coast, and has an elevation of sea level to 500m. The regional area has a total of 1,260,160 acres and the City covers a total of 10,212 acres, which is made up of 7,143 acres of land and 3,069 acres of fresh water. The area extends 71 km (44 miles) from Saltery Bay in the south to Sarah Point in the north.
Powell River enjoys a mild climate year-round, moderated by the warm currents of the Strait of Georgia. Frost-free months are predominately from March to November. Annual precipitation ranges between 1010 and 1200 millimetres, (40 – 48 inches), mostly falling during the winter months. The combination of mainly dry summers and almost snow – free winters, with yearly average temperature highs of 13.4°C (56.12°F), summer highs reaching over 23.2°C (73.8°F), and average lows of 4.9°C (40.82°F), and an overall average of 9.1°C (48.38°F), has given this region the name “ Sunshine Coast ”. Annual hours of sunshine range from 1800 and up (2100 hours for 2003/2004).
Government:
A mayor and 6 councilors elected for 3-year terms govern the City of Powell River. A 7 person Board of Directors governs the Powell River Regional District; 5 members elected for a 2-year term, and 2 appointed representatives from the City Council. Tla’amin Nation is governed by a Chief and 9 Councillors elected for a 2-year term.
City of Powell River
6910 Duncan Street
Powell River, BC V8A 2M4
604-485-6291 • http://www.powellriver.ca/
qathet Regional District
#202 -4675 Marine Avenue
Powell River, BC V8A 2L2
604-485-2260 • http://www.powellriverrd.bc.ca/
Tla’amin Nation
6686 Tla’amin Rd
Powell River, BC V8A 4Z3
604-483-9646 • http://www.tlaaminnation.com/
Industry:
Tourism, Social Services, Retail/Professional Services, Aquaculture, a Paper Mill, Logging and Mining are the key industries of the region.
Emergency Services:
The Powell River General Hospital is a fully accredited hospital and includes a 75 bed extended care unit and an additional 33 bed acute care unit, as well as a new facility currently under construction. The City Fire Department consists of 12 full time firemen and 50 volunteers. There are 2 City Fire Halls and many within the Regional District. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has a 25 person detachment in Powell River, community police office, plus an auxiliary force of 6 and 2 officers stationed on Texada Island. Dial 911 for all emergency services in the Powell River region.
Recreation:
The region is a year-round sea-to-mountain recreation paradise, boasting an 18-hole championship golf course two 9-hole courses, lawn bowling greens, mini-golf, curling rink, 16-lane bowling alley, tennis courts, as well as 20 local parks, and many baseball, fastball, softball and soccer fields. Timberlane Park not only has a turf playing field, but is the new home of Powell River’s brand new 8-lane running track, and includes dressing rooms and grandstands.
Miles of hiking trails lead to beautiful lookouts, waterfalls and peaceful lakes. The hiking club will help you take advantage of many of these trails. Try out part of our 180 km Sunshine Coast Hiking Trail, which travels close to the sea, around lakes, high into the mountains, and in deep forests.
Boating and Sports Fishing are ardently pursued as all season sports. Four marinas plus government docks are available to residents and visitors alike. Powell River is known as the Dive Capital of Canada. The Emerald Mermaid at Mermaid Cove in Saltery Bay Provincial Park is an extra special attraction for divers. We also have some of the largest wolf eel and octopi in the world.
Canoeing may also be enjoyed on one of the many quiet lakes in the area or along the 8 lake Powell Forest Canoe Route. Excellent ocean canoeing and kayaking can be found in Jervis Inlet, the Copeland Islands Marine Park, Malaspina Inlet, Okeover Arm and the Desolation Sound Marine Park.
For all nature lovers and sightseers, Powell River has many parks, viewpoints, and beaches to explore. If you are a bird watcher there are hundreds of different species of birds in the area.
The Powell River Recreation Complex houses cultural and sporting events, conventions and special occasions. The complex covers 12,850 square meters making it one of Canada’s largest. There are 2 regulation size ice rinks, a 37.5 meter indoor pool, sauna, swirl pool, leisure pool, universal gym, fitness room, a 723 seat performing arts theatre, auditorium, convention meeting rooms and banquet facilities.
Brooks Senior Secondary School, located in the Historic Townsite is home to the 402 seat Max Cameron Theatre.
The Kathaumixw International Choir Festival, held every two years in the first week of July, features glorious concerts, common song singing with internationally acclaimed conductors, choral and vocal solo competitions, promenade concerts, conductors’ symposia and social events.
Education:
School District #47 encompasses the whole region from Lund to Saltery Bay including Texada. There is 1 secondary school, and 6 elementary schools. There is also a French school serving K- grade 9, and two private schools. • http://www.sd47.bc.ca/
The Vancouver Island University campus features classrooms, a library/bookstore, computer labs, and an art gallery/exposition centre and offers first year University studies, adult basic education (upgrading), and career programs. Customized training for business and industry is available through VIU’s Continuing Education Department. • https://pr.viu.ca/
Career Link also offers courses designed to get skills needed to find work. • https://careerlinkbc.com/
The music program at the Academy of Music is outstanding. • http://www.powellriveracademy.org/
