Terrace, British Columbia
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| Mayor | Jack Talstra | ||||
| Councillors | Lynne Christiansen Marylin Davies Brian Downie Carol Leclerc Rich McDaniel Brad Pollard | ||||
| Land area | 42.23 km² | ||||
| Annual precipitation | 1295 mm | ||||
| Average summer temperature | 21 °C | ||||
| Population (2005) | 12,109 | ||||
| Immigrant Population | 1,670 (14%) | ||||
| Languages | English (Official)86% French (Official)4% Non Official 10% | ||||
| Religion | Catholic 18% United Church 9% Other 36% No Religion 35% | ||||
| Value of building permits (2000) | $24.9 million | ||||
| Business licences issued (2001) | 1,159 | ||||
| Average household income | $60,374 | ||||
Terrace is a forestry-dependent community on the Skeena River in British Columbia, Canada. Tsimshian people have lived in the area for thousands of years. The community has a population 12,109 with a regional population of 19,980 (Statistics Canada, 2001). The community vies with Prince Rupert as a regional hub for the northern coastal area. It is the seat of the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District.
The community sits on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (which is now owned by CN) and the Yellowhead Highway.
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[edit] Economy
Terrace was once known as the cedar pole capital of the world. Over 50,000 poles were manufactured annually to supply many parts of North America with telephone and electric power poles. The world's tallest pole of 50 metres (162 feet) was cut in Terrace and is currently standing in New York City[1]. For many years, logging has been the major industry in the region. In modern times, Terrace's economy has diversified. Becoming less dependent on one large employer/industry, the city boasts a balanced economy, one, which is effectively equipped to withstand the brunt of any cyclic downturn.
The community was hit hard in 2001 by the problems and eventual closure of the biggest local employer, the former Skeena Cellulose Inc. pulp mill. The mill is now owned by local owners and re-opened in late August 2005. With a possible oil pipeline that would run through Terrace, as well as the recent announcement of a major container port expansion project in nearby Prince Rupert, the economic situation appears to have a brighter future.
Throughout the economic fallout and recovery, the city has been accepting donations and collecting grants to direct at the production of a largely enhanced sportsplex to replace the aging arena and aquatic centre, largely as a symbol of economic resilience. As of March 2006, slightly over four million of the five million dollars required to initiate the project has been collected from various sources. While city reserve funds have not been included in these totals, it is conceivable that they may be required to complete the project.
[edit] History
[edit] First Nations
The First Nations of Canada have inhabited Northwest BC for over 5,000 years. This region is one of the oldest continuously occupied regions of the world and, long before European contact, was one of the most densely populated areas north of Mexico. Kitsumkalum and Kitselas are two of seven Tsimshian tribes in the Terrace area that has occupied traditional territories in northwest British Columbia. The Skeena River was known initially as the "K'shian" river meaning "water from the clouds". The traditional economy of the Tsimshian Nation was based on hunting, fishing and social gatherings, for domestic consumption or trade, on their traditional lands. For the Native people, the Skeena River was used for transportation, communication, war, trade, as a source of food and at times for protection. In 1866 the steamer Mumford made it as far as Kitsumkalum with supplies for the Telegraph line. It took an average of three days to travel from Port Essington (at the mouth of the Skeena River, near Prince Rupert) to Hazelton.
The book Unmarked: Landscapes Along Highway 16, written by Sarah de leeuw, includes a short essay on Terrace titled "Unmarked".
[edit] George Little
A man with a "Little" vision and big dreams arrived in the Skeena River valley in March 1905 by snowshoeing through grueling deep snow along the Kitimat trail. George Little liked what he saw and knew that this land was indeed the land that he was searching for since he left his native Ontario. His keen interest and faith in Terrace were contagious and soon gave way to a flood of pioneer settlers. Eventually, resulting in a thriving city that respects the man who founded Terrace who recognized the potential of the Skeena Valley.
The riverboats operated on the Skeena for only 22 years. The last boat The Inlander finished up in September 1912, when the railroad took over. Fitting nicely into his vision of Terrace, George Little donated forty-seven acres (190,000 m²) to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The station stop was originally named "Littleton"; however, as there was already a Littleton in New Brunswick, Little changed the name to "Terrace" in reference to the local geography. Little established a sawmill to accommodate the demand for railway ties. In 1955, Little rode the first C.N.R. train to Kitimat passing over the same route he had trekked one half century earlier.
[edit] Educational institutions
Terrace is located within School District 82 Coast Mountains, along with Kitimat. Prior to amalgamation in 1996 with School District 80 (Kitimat), schools in Terrace were within School District 88 (Terrace). There is one senior secondary school within Terrace itself, Caledonia Senior Secondary School[2], which serves grades 11 and 12.
There is also one junior secondary school, Skeena Junior Secondary School. Another junior secondary, Thornhill Junior Secondary School, is located in Thornhill, a community directly across the Skeena River from Terrace.
The main campus of the Northwest Community College[3] is located in Terrace, where it was established in 1975.
[edit] Old Skeena Bridge
The Old Skeena Bridge officially opened July 1925, halting the use of the Ferry Island ferry service to Thornhill Creek. In 1944, the Skeena River highway between Terrace and Prince Rupert was ceremoniously opened with a convoy of Canadian and American Army bands that were part of the troops stationed here during World War II. Terrace could now easily transport to anywhere in British Columbia.
This bridge now shares its load with the New Skeena Bridge, a two way bridge crossing Ferry Island and connecting Thornhill, British Columbia with the other side of town. The new bridge, constructed circa 1970, is fully paved and offers uninterrupted two-way traffic flow, as opposed to the metal decking of the one-way old bridge. The Old Skeena Bridge was once noted for being the largest curved wooden-plank bridge in North America until its decking was replaced with metal grates in 2002.
