Vanderhoof is a district municipality near the geographical centre[3] of British Columbia, Canada. Covering 2.92 square kilometers,[4] it has a population of about 4,500 within town limits, and offers services to nearly 10,000 people in nearby rural communities. Its main industries are forestry, agriculture, and related businesses. Tourism is also growing, and mining operations are being developed in the area. It has many elementary schools, and one major secondary school, Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS), comprising School District 91 Nechako Lakes. The College of New Caledonia has a regional campus there.
The municipality is named after Herbert Vanderhoof of Chicago, one of its founders. He was an employee of the Grand Trunk Pacific Development Company, a subsidiary of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.[5][6][7] The municipality's population rapidly expanded until World War II, when many of the town's men left to fight overseas. After the war, an increase in lumber prices and the construction of the Kenney Dam lead to increases in population again. Today Vanderhoof is a service centre in the eastern Bulkley-Nechako for surrounding communities, and the second-largest municipality in the regional district.[8]
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Vanderhoof had a population of 4,346 living in 1,786 of its 1,885 total private dwellings, a change of -2% from its 2016 population of 4,434. With a land area of 53.93 km2 (20.82 sq mi), it had a population density of 80.6/km2 (208.7/sq mi) in 2021.[9]
Ethnicity
Panethnic groups in the District of Vanderhoof (1981−2021)
Vanderhoof is known for its bird sanctuary along the Nechako River. Many Canada geese, swans, and other migratory birds pass through Vanderhoof during their annual migrations. The Nechako is home to a number of fish species, including salmon and the endangered Nechako white sturgeon. Many hunters come to Vanderhoof in search of bear, moose, deer, cougar and elk.
Secondary:
Nechako Valley Secondary School (NVSS
Northside Christian School
Valhalla High
Virtual School: EBUS Academy
Culture and recreation
A collaborative mural painted on the Neighbourhood Space Youth Centre in 2010.[23][24]
Nechako Valley Exhibition Grounds- home of the Fall Fair (August), 2 riding arenas, and agricultural show facilities
Vanderhoof Heritage Museum
Vanderhoof Airport – 5,018-foot paved runway and two grass runways (5,200 feet and 3,200 feet)
Vanderhoof Aquatic Centre – 6-lane 25m lap pool, climbing wall, 30-person hot tub, sauna, and 1500 sq. foot leisure pool
Vanderhoof Skateboard Park
Grand Reo Theatre – a restored 175-seat movie theatre
Omineca Golf Course – par 72, 18 holes
Disc Golf Course
Vanderhoof Arena – indoor skating rink in the winter, home to Figure Skating Club, Speed Skating Club, Minor Hockey Club, other adult hockey recreation leagues, and a community centre hosting various events in the summer
Bradley Park, Leiding Park, Vanderview Park –playgrounds
Community Garden – greenhouse, raised beds, in-ground plots, public washroom
Rip n' The North Bike Park – mountain bike trails
Moore's Motocross Track – dirt bike track
Community trail system
Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre – identifying, maintaining and potentially restoring critical sturgeon habitat in the Nechako River
Nechako Valley Sporting Association – archery, hand gun range, fishing and hunting, cross-country skiing, trap shooting, Wilderness Watch
Omineca Express – local weekly newspaper published Thursdays
CIAM FM, "The Light 98.5 FM" – community radio station, also a rebroadcaster for CIAM radio network
CBC Radio 1, 91.5 FM
Real Country, 910 AM
Vanderhoof Public Library
Community Bus – free community transportation service (12-passenger capacity with 2 wheelchair positions)
Telegraph Trail
A telegraph line, set up in the 1890s for communication with the Klondike Gold Rush gold fields, was abandoned in the 1930s and later converted into a series of walking trails. A 10 km trail connects Hogsback Lake (near Vanderhoof) to Blackwater Road.
Community events
Wild Goose Chase: held the first Sunday in May, this community 8 km, 5 km, and 3.5 km Fun Run brings out hundreds of participants and volunteers.
Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce Biennial Trade Show, scheduled in May on the "odd numbered" years.
BC Rodeo - held in April
Stoney Creek Elders Fishing Derby - May
Hooterville Hoot: an annual classic car show, held in early June.
Concert In The Park: July - Local talent performs for an afternoon and evening filled with great entertainment.
Canada Day Celebration: - July 1
Vanderhoof Farmers' Market: fresh locally grown produce, organic meat products, preserves, crafted goods and much more. Markets run Thursdays from June to September.
Vanderhoof International Air show: Taking place biennially in August - showcasing many skilled pilots and their aircraft, as well as several static displays.
Nechako Valley Exhibition: held the third weekend in August. A true country fair that is fun for the whole family.
Recreation/Leisure Fair: held in early September to introduce clubs and recreational opportunities to the community.
The Great Pumpkin Walk: Held annually, October 31 - With hand-carved pumpkins and "trick-or-treating" in the park, attended by thousands of residents—a safe and convenient place for families to spend Halloween night. Followed by a fireworks display that lights up the entire Nechako River Valley.
Parade of Lights and Midnight Madness: Held the first Saturday in December, this kicks off the Christmas time retail season with the light parade and crazy sales at many retail stores.
^
Carla Funk (2 November 2019). "The small towns that make Canadian literature unique". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 August 2020. The town took its name from Herbert Vanderhoof, who envisioned the place as a colony for artists and writers. His dream never took quite took shape, but the town grew and the name stuck.
^"Vanderhoof". BC Geographical Names. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
