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Vanderhoof is the geographical centre of the Province of British Columbia. Located 97 km west of Prince George, the second largest city in the province. Vancouver, 883 km south of Vanderhoof, is a one hour flight from Prince George. You can live in the rural setting of Vanderhoof and be only two hours from the largest city in the province. If you want to visit the capital of Alberta, Edmonton is located 812 km east.
Nestled in the fertile Nechako Valley, the town is the central service area for a population of 30,141. The two main industries are Forestry and Agriculture, but there is also considerable employment provided through Government offices.
POPULATION: 4,649
POPULATION BY AGE:
0 – 14 24.1%
15 – 24 16.3%
25 – 44 30.1%
45 – 64 19.9%
65 + 10.0%
TOTAL LABOUR FORCE: 2,305
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce
Government Agent
Vanderhoof Municipal Office
School District No. 91
We also have other government agencies located here, such as Human Resources Development Canada, Forestry, Conservation and Ministry of Social Services.
One local radio station, two local newspapers, several daily/weekly newsletters and cablevision serve the area.
HEALTH
Hospital: We have a modern thirty-three bed health care facility and brand new extended care facility
Medical Clinic
Physio-therapy
Northern Interior Health Unit
Three Dental Clinics
Seniors' Residences
Provincial Ambulance Service
Search and Rescue
Vanderhoof Alcohol & Drug Services
Omineca Safe House
Two Veterinary Clinics
Two Chiropractors
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Integris Credit Union
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Royal Bank of Canada
HISTORY
The Carrier Indians pioneered the land in this area long before the first white man arrived in what is now known as Vanderhoof. An ancient Indian village, known as Chinlac, lies just a few miles east of Vanderhoof on the junction of the Nechako and Stuart Rivers. Simon Fraser’s diary relates that he was the first white man to trade with the people of Chinlac.
After the fur traders came the packers, miners, telegraph operators, surveyors and finally, settlers looking for the free land of the frontier. In 1906, the Village of Vanderhoof was only a survey line in the wilderness to mark the location of the marked railway. When the last spike was driven on April 7th, 1914, it started a race for the land. The Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company offered cheap land and one of their employees, Mr. Herbert Vanderhoof, laid out the town site. Vanderhoof is Dutch for “of the farm” which was very appropriate, since it was the first agricultural settlement in the province. The town grew, and in 1926, the Village of Vanderhoof was born.
With the arrival of World War II, many young men left, and Vanderhoof came to a standstill. But with the rise in lumber prices, and the arrival of new people in the late 1940's, it started to grow again.
The next boost to the population and the economy came with the construction of Kenney Dam in the early 1950's. At the peak of its construction it employed 1,500 men and a number of them stayed in the area after the dam was built. The next expansion period came with a large influx of American immigrants in the 1960's and since that time Vanderhoof has enjoyed steady growth.
INDUSTRY
Forestry is the number one industry in Vanderhoof. There are several mills operating in the area: Canfor Plateau, L & M Lumber, Canfor Isle-Pierre, D & D Wood Products, Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products and a couple of other small mills. Vanderhoof also has one pellet mill–Premium Pellet. Loggers, truckers, and the service industries needing to maintain these facilities also gain employment through the forest industry.
Agriculture is the second largest industry in the region. The Nechako Valley is the second largest forage producing industry in British Columbia. Beef and dairy cattle also provide some profit for the region.
LIVING ENVIRONMENT
Vanderhoof is a family oriented town.
Single detached houses make up approximately 71% of our housing units. Average costs are as follows:
Three-bedroom home on a municipal lot varies from $130,000 to $140,000.
Municipal lot depending on location varies from $25,000 to $35,000.
Five-acre parcel of land depending on location is approximately $40,000.
For information on rental accomodations visit www.ominecaexpress.com
Service Clubs:
There are numerous service organizations in Vanderhoof. We meet the needs of every interest group from the Kinsmen to Women's Institute.
Churches:
First Memorial United Church
Glad Tidings Tabernacle Church
Gospel Chapel
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Mapes Baptist Church
Jehovah's Witnesses
Nechako Christian Fellowship
Vanderhoof Pentecostal Church
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Northside Mennonite Church
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Vanderhoof Lutheran Church
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship
Vanderhoof Mennonite Church
Nechako Community Church
RECREATION
Facilties:
Hockey and Skating Arena
Curling Rink
Softball Diamonds
Rugby, Soccer and Track Area
Eighteen Hole Golf & Country Club
Bowling Alley
Indoor Riding Arena
Tennis Courts
Fitness Centre
Spray Park
Cross Country Ski Trails
Skateboarding/BMX Park
Hiking and Walking Trails
Shooting Range
Curves for Women
There are numerous lakes and rivers in the area for fishing, canoeing, boating and water skiing. In the forested region surrounding our community there is an abundance of forestry campsites, and opportunities for hunting.
Murray Ridge Ski Hill is located 60km north of Vanderhoof where residents can enjoy downhill skiing and snow boarding throughout the winter.
Two Slow Pitch Ball Tournaments are held each year, attracting at least forty visiting teams.
The Nechako Valley Exhibition is held in August. This includes a major Central Interior Rodeo and Horse Show.
There is an annual Recreation and Leisure Fair held in September. A variety of leisure groups in the Vanderhoof area gather together to promote their clubs and organizations.
Hockey, curling, and figure skating competitions and tournaments are held all winter. Community badminton, volleyball, basketball and indoor soccer take place throughout the winter season. Classes are also offered by private instructors in step-aerobics, pilates, yoga and a variety of dance styles.
TOURISM
Vanderhoof is located near the junction of Highway 16 and 27. Travellers going west to Port Edward and Prince Rupert, or to Stewart-Cassiar link to the Yukon all pass through Vanderhoof, as do people travelling Highway 27 to Fort St James.
There are seven hotels/motels with a total of 127 rooms, as well as four resorts offering lake front cabins and an enjoyable time in the outdoors. Vanderhoof also hosts a bed and breakfast.
Vanderhoof has 17 restaurants and eateries all with varied menus in the downtown core.
There are 44 Forestry campsites in the Vanderhoof Forest District. While not all of them offer sophisticated amenities such as power hook-ups or piped water, they do include basic sanitary facilities, fire rings, picnic tables and where appropriate, boat launch ramps.
Popular attractions include the Vanderhoof Heritage Museum and the Bird Sanctuary at Riverside Park. There are also numerous other tourist attractions the local Visitor Info-centre can suggest.
TRANSPORTATION
Highways: Vanderhoof is the geographical centre of the province. We are located on Highway 16, situated near the intersection of Highway 27, which leads to Fort St James and points north. Logging roads as well as an industrial road leading south traverse the area.
Greyhound Bus Lines
Rail: The area is served by CN and VIA
Air: Our municipally operated airport has a paved surface of 1,529m with three runways capable of handling a wide range of planes.
The Prince George Airport is located just 104km East of Vanderhoof. It is served by Air Canada Jazz, West Jet, and Central Mountain Air
WEATHER
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