Castlegar, British Columbia

Castlegar
City
City of Castlegar
Motto: "Haec Lumina Numquam Errantiae"  (Latin)
"These Lights Never Wander"

Location of Castlegar in British Columbia
Coordinates: 49°19′32″N 117°39′58″W / 49.32556°N 117.66611°W / 49.32556; -117.66611
Country  Canada
Province  British Columbia
Region West Kootenay
Regional district Central Kootenay
Incorporated 1946
Government
  Type Elected city council
  Mayor Lawrence Chernoff
  Governing body Castlegar City Council
  MP Richard Cannings (NDP)
  MLA Katrine Conroy (BC NDP)
Area
  Total 19.58 km2 (7.56 sq mi)
Elevation 450 m (1,480 ft)
Population (2011)
  Total 7,816
  Density 399.3/km2 (1,034/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
Postal code V1N
Area code(s) 250 / 778 / 236
Highways BC 3
BC 3A
BC 22
Waterways Columbia River
Kootenay River
Website City of Castlegar

Castlegar is the second largest city in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada.

It is located within the Selkirk Mountains at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. It is a regional trade and transportation centre, with a local economy fueled by forestry, mining and tourism. It was recently cited as one of the Top 8 Places in British Columbia for most promising growth.[1] It is home to Selkirk College, a regional airport, a pulp mill, and several sawmills. The population of 7,259 people includes a large number of Doukhobors, who were largely responsible for much of Castlegar's early development and growth. A sizeable Portuguese community grew as workers, mainly from the Azores islands, moved in to take up employment in the area. The area which was to become Castlegar was an important centre for the Sinixt (Lakes) Peoples. Outside the city limits are the small surrounding communities of Ootischenia, Brilliant, Robson, Robson West, Raspberry, Tarrys, Thrums, Glade, Shoreacres, Fairview, Genelle, Pass Creek and Krestova. There are also the much smaller communities of Deer Park, Renata, and Syringa on Lower Arrow Lake. Taken together, these outlying areas comprise an approximate population of a further 8,000 people.

History

On September 5, 1811, David Thompson arrived at the location where Castlegar now sits, where he camped near the mouth of the Kootenay River. A plaque dedicated to David Thompson can be found on the east bank of the Columbia River overlooking the present day site of Castlegar.

The first settlement in the area was West Waterloo, now known as South Castlegar. There was widespread provincial interest in gold prospecting in the late 19th century, and by 1895 there were forty houses in Waterloo. The town boomed until the end of the century when interest in the local mines declined.

Castlegar takes its name from Castlegar, County Galway in Ireland, the ancestral home of townsite founder Edward Mahon. (Castlegar is on the eastern boundary of the city of Galway.) The city was planned in 1897. Around 1902, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built the bridge at Castlegar and laid the wide gauge railway tracks to Trail. They put in a box car station at the old Waterloo trail crossing and called it Kinnaird Station in honour of Lord Kinnaird who was a shareholder in the CPR.[2]

There was little in Castlegar until after the completion of the CPR bridge. A Mr. Farmer built the first store in town, housing both the post office and the town hall. William Gage built the Castlegar Hotel in 1908, standing until 1982 when it was destroyed by fire. Also in 1908, the first schoolhouse was built by a few local residents who bought the lumber and erected the building. A dance pavilion, garage, tourist cabins and a slaughterhouse had all been established by 1925.

On October 30, 1946, Castlegar was incorporated into a village, then in 1966 into a town. It amalgamated with the neighbouring town of Kinnaird into a city on January 1, 1974, effectively doubling the population. On May 20, 2004, the City's boundary was extended to include the Blueberry Creek Irrigation District.

Native history

Castlegar is located in the border area between the Sinixt (Interior Salish) and the Ktunaxa Indian bands. Experts cannot agree where the Ktunaxa range ended, and where the Sinixt began. There was much overlapping of cultural and territorial activity between the two peoples. Most recent information suggests that the Sinixt were the original people in the area, and that the Kootenai arrived several hundred years ago from central Canada.

"Qepitles" was a site on the north side of the Kootenay River, just above the junction with the Columbia River. Native implements (arrowheads, pestles, etc.) have been found along the nearby Arrow Lakes. A reconstructed kekuli dwelling was formally located on Zuckerberg Island, at the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia rivers.

Doukhobor history

The Doukhobors put a ferry into operation near Brilliant on the Kootenay River in 1910 and the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB) made an application to the CPR for a railway station and siding to this point. Brilliant was the centre of the CCUB commercial enterprises. Located on the site was the Brilliant Jam Factory, a grain elevator, and a flax seed mill.

Castlegar's welcome sign
Columbia Avenue

Demographics

Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total Population
Visible minority group
Source:[3]
South Asian 15 0.2%
Chinese 35 0.5%
Black 0 0%
Filipino 0 0%
Latin American 20 0.3%
Arab 0 0%
Southeast Asian 35 0.5%
West Asian 15 0.2%
Korean 20 0.3%
Japanese 10 0.1%
Other visible minority 0 0%
Mixed visible minority 10 0.1%
Total visible minority population 175 2.5%
Aboriginal group
Source:[4]
First Nations 90 1.3%
Métis 185 2.6%
Inuit 0 0%
Total Aboriginal population 275 3.9%
White 6,610 93.6%
Total population 7,060 100%

Climate

Castlegar has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with hot, moderately dry summers and cold winters. Castlegar is wetter than most places in the Southern Interior of BC, as the city receives around 400 mm more precipitation than nearby Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops (which are in the dryer Okanagan region of British Columbia, while Castlegar is in the Kootenay region). Castlegar also holds the record for the highest humidex ever recorded in Canada when on July 14, 1961 the humidex was 53.4.[5]

Climate data for West Kootenay Regional Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 9.0 14.1 22.6 27.7 35.9 46.9 53.4 42.8 37.9 28.2 19.2 10.6 53.4
Record high °C (°F) 10.0
(50)
14.3
(57.7)
23.1
(73.6)
28.2
(82.8)
34.5
(94.1)
36.8
(98.2)
39.9
(103.8)
40.0
(104)
36.8
(98.2)
27.2
(81)
19.4
(66.9)
11.6
(52.9)
40.0
(104)
Average high °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)
3.2
(37.8)
9.4
(48.9)
15.3
(59.5)
20.0
(68)
23.6
(74.5)
28.1
(82.6)
28.2
(82.8)
22.0
(71.6)
12.9
(55.2)
4.7
(40.5)
0
(32)
14
(57)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1.6
(29.1)
−0.1
(31.8)
4.4
(39.9)
8.8
(47.8)
13.3
(55.9)
16.8
(62.2)
20.2
(68.4)
20.0
(68)
14.7
(58.5)
8.0
(46.4)
2.1
(35.8)
−2.1
(28.2)
8.7
(47.7)
Average low °C (°F) −3.7
(25.3)
−3.5
(25.7)
−0.7
(30.7)
2.3
(36.1)
6.5
(43.7)
10.0
(50)
12.2
(54)
11.7
(53.1)
7.3
(45.1)
3.0
(37.4)
−0.6
(30.9)
−4.2
(24.4)
3.4
(38.1)
Record low °C (°F) −25.7
(−14.3)
−21.0
(−5.8)
−16.0
(3.2)
−7.5
(18.5)
−2.5
(27.5)
1.9
(35.4)
4.1
(39.4)
2.5
(36.5)
−4.3
(24.3)
−11.3
(11.7)
−20.2
(−4.4)
−30.6
(−23.1)
−30.6
(−23.1)
Record low wind chill −31.8 −33.3 −28.2 −8.9 −4.3 −6.8 0 0 −5.2 −19.3 −29.6 −41.6 −41.6
Average precipitation mm (inches) 75.5
(2.972)
51.2
(2.016)
62.9
(2.476)
59.3
(2.335)
70.3
(2.768)
72.3
(2.846)
48.1
(1.894)
30.4
(1.197)
42.4
(1.669)
51.3
(2.02)
96.7
(3.807)
90.3
(3.555)
750.9
(29.563)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 26.2
(1.031)
28.1
(1.106)
50.1
(1.972)
57.1
(2.248)
70.1
(2.76)
72.3
(2.846)
48.1
(1.894)
30.4
(1.197)
42.4
(1.669)
49.4
(1.945)
58.7
(2.311)
31.3
(1.232)
564.3
(22.217)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 55.4
(21.81)
25.7
(10.12)
13.2
(5.2)
2.0
(0.79)
0.2
(0.08)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1.9
(0.75)
37.5
(14.76)
64.8
(25.51)
200.6
(78.98)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 16.5 13.4 14.5 14.4 15.5 14.4 9.7 7.7 8.2 12.1 17.4 16.6 160.3
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 7.8 8.1 12.4 14.2 15.5 14.4 9.7 7.7 8.2 12.0 13.0 5.7 128.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 12.6 8.6 4.9 1.2 0.2 0 0 0 0 0.7 8.2 14.5 50.7
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm) 76.0 66.6 52.5 42.8 43.7 45.7 37.3 35.0 42.6 58.1 74.6 77.7 54.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 38.9 76.1 128.8 173.8 226.7 233.0 291.9 276.3 204.0 123.2 48.2 33.4 1,854.2
Percent possible sunshine 14.4 26.7 35.0 42.3 47.8 48.0 59.6 61.9 53.8 36.8 17.5 13.0 38.1
Source: [6]

Airport

The West Kootenay Regional Airport is owned and operated by the City of Castlegar. The Airport has regular service to both Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport. Nearby airports include Trail Airport, which is 40 km to the south.

Schools

Castlegar is part of School District 20 Kootenay-Columbia and schools in the town include:

Four elementary schools:

One high school:

Selkirk College's main campus is also located in Castlegar.

Recreation

Many great walking trails are located in and near Castlegar. They are maintained by the Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails Society. The area attracts retirees and tourists for its summer and winter sports.

The Columbia River cuts through Castlegar, and to the west along the river are Scotties Marina and Syringa Provincial Park, with boating and camping amenities.

Scotties Marina, near Castlegar
Syringa Provincial Park

Sports

The city's Collegiate hockey team is the Selkirk College Saints of the BCIHL The city's Junior "B" hockey team is the Castlegar Rebels of the KIJHL.
Other activities include The Castlegar Skating Club, Dancing at Turning Pointe Dance Studio and Scottie School of Highland Dance, Castlegar Aquanauts, Castlegar Minor Soccer Association, Selkirk Challengers Gymnastics Club, Castlegar Minor Hockey, Baseball, Lacrosse, Golf, Curling, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball programs, Kootenay Jiu Jitsu Academy, and Many yoga/fitness etc. programs are offered at the Castlegar Community Complex. West Kootenay Minor Football Association, Castlegar Sentinels Football Club.

Club League Sport Venue Established Championships
Castlegar Rebels KIJHL Ice Hockey Castlegar Community Complex 1976 3

Geography

The main street, Columbia Avenue, runs the length of the City of Castlegar. It becomes Highway 22 on the South end, and the Robson Bridge at the North end. Most businesses in Castlegar are located on or just off of Columbia. There are several neighbourhoods in Castlegar, including Downtown, Southridge, Oglow Subdivision, Woodland Park, Grosvenor, Kinnaird, and Blueberry Creek, among others. Outskirts of Castlegar include Robson, Robson West, Brilliant, Raspberry, Pass Creek, Ootischenia, Tarrys, Thrums, and Genelle.

Transportation

Kinnaird Bridge along Highway 3 across the Columbia River

The City of Castlegar is considered to be a transportation hub for the region. It is the location of the West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG), the main local airport in the region with flights to both Vancouver and Calgary. It is also the junction of highways 3B, 3, and 22. Highway 22 runs the length of the city, known as Columbia Avenue. At the North End, Columbia enters the Robson Bridge, carrying traffic to the rural suburb of Robson, which is accessed via Broadwater Road. A small highway interchange exists where the Robson Access Road meets Highway 3B towards Nelson, British Columbia. Highway 3 bisects the town, providing the main access to the Grovesnor area, and crossing the Columbia River at the Kinnaird Bridge, to Ootischenia. Highway 3B and Highway 3 both provide routes through Ootischenia. Highway 22 also connects to Blueberry. To the North, Highway 3B heads to Nelson. To the South, Highway 22 leads to Trail, British Columbia; to the East, Highway 3 Leads to Salmo, British Columbia, and to the West to Grand Forks, British Columbia.

Notable residents

Sister cities

References

  1. http://www.biv.com/article/20130926/BIV0111/130929941/0/SEARCH/Eight-BC-neighbourhoods-in-Canada's-top-100-for-most-promising-growth
  2. Mitchell, Andy (2011). Arthur Kinnaird First Lord of Football. p. 136. ISBN 978-1463621117.
  3. , Community Profiles from the 2006 Census, Statistics Canada - Census Subdivision
  4. , Aboriginal Peoples - Data table
  5. Environment CanadaCanadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 20 July 2012
  6. "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data". Environment Canada. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  7. http://www.castlegar.ca/city_sistercities.php
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Castlegar.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castlegar, BC.

Coordinates: 49°19′34″N 117°39′53″W / 49.32611°N 117.66472°W / 49.32611; -117.66472 (Castlegar)

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