All About Kitimat
Kitimat is a Pacific Rim gateway located approximately 650 km northwest of Vancouver, 60 km south of Terrace and 110km east of Prince Rupert. Kitimat sits at the head of Kitimat Arm: a wide fjord that extends northeast from Douglas Channel. The surrounding Coast Mountains create a sheltered harbour 96 km from open water, suitable for deep sea transport. A predominantly flat valley more than 5 km wide connects Kitimat to Terrace, 60 km inland.
Kitimat is a company town planned and built by the Aluminum Company of Canada during the 1950’s.
Kitimat is derived from Fit-a-maat, a Tsimshian description of the Haisla, which means "People of the Snow". Kitamaat is home to the Haisla Nation, meaning “dwellers downriver”, who have occupied the lands for over 9,000 years. Today, the principal community of the Haisla people are located in Kitamaat Village, home to about 700 of the 1,700 Haisla members. Today’s Haisla Nation is an amalgamation of two historic bands, namely the Kitamaat of the Douglas and Devastation Channels and the Kitlope of the upper Princess Royal Channel and Gardner Canal. The Haisla social system is based on matrilineal clans and eight clans make up the community, being the Eagle, Beaver, Crow, Killer Whale, Wolf, Frog, Raven and Salmon. Kitamaat Village is located about 11 km south of Kitimat on the east side of the harbour. While Kitamaat is the Tsimshian word for “People of the Snow”, the Haisla name for Kitamaat Village is “Tsee-Motsa”, meaning Snag Beach. For general information on the Haisla and Kitamaat Village, please visit the official Haisla Nation website: www.haisla.ca
According to Statistics Canada, Kitimat’s population as of 2021 was 8,236.
History
Long before the first European settlers moved to the Kitimat Valley, the Haisla First Nation had established a summer village on the east shore of Kitimat Arm; winter quarters were located about 3 km upriver. The native economy was based primarily on salmon and oolichan fishing.
During the early 1900s, Kitimat was a candidate site for the Grand Trunk Railway's western terminus. A railway route was surveyed and by 1906, settlers moving into the valley had created a land boom. A wharf and hotel were built and a road to Terrace was cleared. This activity was short-lived, however, and effectively died when Prince Rupert became the railway terminus. A provincial reserve prevented further piecemeal development. By 1941, all but a few of these early European settlers had departed.
The modern city of Kitimat became a reality in 1950, when the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan) chose a site at the head of Kitimat Arm for an aluminum smelter. The potential for, and proximity of hydro power was a major factor in selecting this site. The Nechako River was stopped by a large rock filled dam and tunnels were drilled through the Coast Mountains, allowing water to fall 792m inside Mount Tahtsa to the Kemano powerhouse at sea level. Power generated at Kemano was transmitted 82 km overland to the Kitimat smelter, with any surplus transferred to the provincial grid.
Construction of the Kitimat townsite was also a major project. What began as a vast wilderness was transformed to an attractive city able to draw in workers and promote permanent home development. Wary of the potential difficulties of remoteness, strangeness and climate, Alcan was anxious to not exacerbate these problems through haphazard or substandard development. Kitimat has been a well-planned, civically independent city with a high quality of family and community life since 1953.
The townsite neighbourhoods are laid out as super-blocks: homes are accessed by short local streets and many face inwards to green spaces containing a system of pedestrian walkways. Through traffic is routed around the periphery of each neighbourhood to increase pedestrian safety and reduce noise levels on interior streets. The central business district was expected to house all major stores, commercial buildings and government offices, and does. Relatively new to Kitimat are rural neighbourhoods, with larger lots and hobby farm opportunities. From the outset, Kitimat's philosophy and design anticipated and encouraged industrial development. A pulp and paper mill were expected to be an early industrial tenant, but it was not until 1969 that a pulp complex was built.
Government
Kitimat is governed by six councilors and a mayor who are elected for a term of three years.
To contact the Mayor:
Kitimat Municipal Hall
270 City Centre
Website
Kitimat, BC Phone: 250-632-8900
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!
HealthLink BC
Phone: 811 or visit: Website
HealthLink BC provides free non-emergency health information and referral services. You can get help and information nay time of the day or night, every day of the year. Call 8-1-1 to ask a registered nurse your health questions.
Where to Stay
Things to See
and DO
Kitimat City Council
Hospital
and Clinics
Recreation
Kitimat residents and visitors receive great benefits from the variety of leisure services and opportunities that are available in the community. In addition to the range of independent outdoor pursuits which can be enjoyed in Kitimat's scenic and natural environment, many recreation services and opportunities are available through community clubs and groups, private organizations, businesses and tax-supported agencies.
The Kitimat Recreation Department operates municipal facilities and is involved in several partnerships to support other non-profit community recreation facilities.
Information on Kitimats Recreation programs and facilities is available in the Kitimat Recreation Guide which you can view online: Current Recreation Guide.
You can also contact the Recreation Department at 250-632-8970.
The recreation centres are:
Tamitik Jubilee Sports Complex
396 City Centre
Kitimat, BC
Phone: 250-632-8955
The Tamitik Sports Complex consists of two main facilities: the Tamitik Arena and the Sam Lindsay Aquatic Centre.
Riverlodge Recreation Centre
654 Columbia Avenue West
Kitimat, BC
Phone: 250-632-8970
Riverlodge is Kitimat's center for recreation programs, including workshops; special interest lectures; and youth, preschool, fitness and sport classes. The facility is also utilized for meetings, dances, weddings and special events.
Haisla Recreation Centre
24 Kwakiutl Street
Kitamaat Village, BC
Phone: 250-639-9361 ext. 360
The Haisla Recreation Centre is a Kitamaat Village Council supported facility, which works in partnership with the Kitimat Recreation Department, in the promotion of active living and healthy communities. The Haisla Recreation Centre is enjoyed by Haisla and non-Haisla patrons.
Current amenities include:
- Full gym with floor suitable for basketball, indoor soccer, badminton and volleyball
- Weight room with machines, free weights and cardio equipment
- Dance/ fitness studio
- Youth room including foosball, ping-pong and pool tables
24 Kwakiutl Street
Kitamaat Village, BC
Phone: 250-639-9361 ext. 360
The Haisla Recreation Centre is a Kitamaat Village Council supported facility, which works in partnership with the Kitimat Recreation Department, in the promotion of active living and healthy communities. The Haisla Recreation Centre is enjoyed by Haisla and non-Haisla patrons.
Current amenities include:
- Full gym with floor suitable for basketball, indoor soccer, badminton and volleyball
- Weight room with machines, free weights and cardio equipment
- Dance/ fitness studio
- Youth room including foosball, ping-pong and pool tables
Kitimat Sports Fields and Playgrounds- Ball Fields - there are six baseball diamonds in Kitimat: three at Riverlodge Recreation Centre and three at Nechanko School.
- Soccer Fields - there is one soccer field located at Riverlodge Recreation Centre and four fields at the Bill Rich soccer complex (operated by the Kitimat Youth Soccer Association).
- Tennis Courts - there are four municipal courts that are free for public use: three at Riverlodge Recreation Centre and one at Nechako Centre.
- Playgrounds - there are 22 adventure parks for families to enjoy including two wading pools
Trails
For a detailed list of parks in Kitimat, please visit: Parks, Trails and Campgrounds.
Kitimat Sk8 Park
The Kitimat Sk8 Park is an outdoor park designed for those who like to do tricks on their bikes, skateboards, scooters or rollerblades. It is located in Nechako Centre area (Kingfisher Avenue and Albatross Avenue).
Trails
For a detailed list of parks in Kitimat, please visit: Parks, Trails and Campgrounds.
Kitimat Sk8 Park
The Kitimat Sk8 Park is an outdoor park designed for those who like to do tricks on their bikes, skateboards, scooters or rollerblades. It is located in Nechako Centre area (Kingfisher Avenue and Albatross Avenue).
Hiking Trails
For a detailed map of hiking trails in the area, please visit: https://www.kitimat.ca/en/our-community/resources/Documents/Hiking-Trails.pdf
For a detailed map of hiking trails in the area, please visit: https://www.kitimat.ca/en/our-community/resources/Documents/Hiking-Trails.pdf
BC Provincial Parks
CampgroundsThere are two campgrounds in Kitimat and one in Terrace:
- Radley Park - Radley Park is a 38-unit facility on the west bank of the Kitimat River, a river well known for great fishing.
- Hirsch Creek Park - Hirsch Creek Park is located in old growth forest and is the perfect spot for fishing and hiking for the whole family. This is a wilderness/natural area with minimal disruption to the forest. It is an ideal location for those who would like to “get away” but still be close to town.
- Ferry Island Campground - Ferry Island campground offers 103 campsites and is surrounded by 150-acre park which includes trails, children's playground and unique tree carvings.
Shopping
The Kitimat downtown core, City Centre, includes a number of owner-operated boutiques and services. Other shopping areas include:
City Centre Mall
276 City Centre
Kitimat, BC
City Centre Mall is one of Kitimat’s popular meeting, shopping and public spaces. "The Heart of Kitimat" provides services from independent retail outlets, banks, restaurants, professional and municipal offices.
Shopping
The Kitimat downtown core, City Centre, includes a number of owner-operated boutiques and services. Other shopping areas include:
City Centre Mall
276 City Centre
Kitimat, BC
City Centre Mall is one of Kitimat’s popular meeting, shopping and public spaces. "The Heart of Kitimat" provides services from independent retail outlets, banks, restaurants, professional and municipal offices.
Mountainview SquareVisit Mountainview Square in Kitimat’s downtown centre for freshly baked goods, groceries, office supplies, women’s clothing, gifts, and lunch. The Square also includes a government liquor store, optical retailer, and doctor’s offices.
Attractions
Kitimat Public Library
940 Wakashan Avenue
Kitimat, BC V8C2G3
Phone: 250-632-8985
Hours of operation: Monday - 10am to 6pm
Tuesday - 10am to 8pm
Wednesday - 10am to 6pm
Thursday - 10am to 8pm
Friday - 10am to 6pm
Saturday - 10am to 6pm
Mount Elizabeth Theatre
1491 Kingfisher Avenue
Kitimat, BC
Phone: 250-632-7887
The Mount Elizabeth Theatre (MET) is an intimate 512-seat performance facility. MET is a professional, community style theatre that offers a practical and affordable venue for amateur and professional artists.
REM Lee Theatre
4920 Straume Avenue
Terrace, BC Phone: 250-635-2101
The R.E.M. Lee Theatre is Terrace's largest performing arts venue. Opened in 1975, it is an ideal stage for professional and amateur theatre, recitals, business events etc. The R.E.M. Lee Theatre hosts a wide variety of performances throughout the year, from professional productions of dance, theatre and music to local school and community performances
Terrace Little Theatre Society
3625 Kalum Street
Terrace, BC
Phone: 250-635-1215
The TLT is the longest consecutively running amateur theatre organization in BC.
Terrace Art Gallery
4610 Park Avenue
Terrace, BC V8G1V6
Phone: 250-638-8884
Website
The Terrace Art Gallery is operated by the Terrace Art Association as a public, non-profit facility dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the visual arts in the community for the past 25 years.
The Terrace Art Gallery is operated by the Terrace Art Association as a public, non-profit facility dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the visual arts in the community for the past 25 years.
