Barriere, British Columbia
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Barriere is a forestry community in central British Columbia, Canada, located 66km north of the larger city of Kamloops on Highway 5. It is situated at the confluence of the Barriere and North Thompson Rivers in the Central North Thompson Valley. In 2003, a major forest fire swept through the area and destroyed both homes and industry, most notably the Louis Creek sawmill, a large local employer. At one point up to 3000 were forced to evacuate the area.
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[edit] History
The town was originally a fur trading post, deriving its name from the rocks left by natives in the water as fish traps which formed a barrier to boat passage down the river.[1]
[edit] Infrastructure
The closest hospital in the region is the Royal Inland Hospital located in Kamloops, BC.
[edit] Industry
Barriere is primarly driven by the forest industry, however the other industries which serve the town are tourism and agriculture, primarily alfalfa.
The primary employers in the town are Gilbert Smith Forest Products and Darfield Building Products, with 75% of the town's residents being linked to forestry. [2]
[edit] Recreation
- North of the town center is Chinook Cove Golf Course
- East of the city is Barriere Lake
- There is a curling rink within the city
- Every Labour Day weekend the town hosts the North Thompson Fall Fair Rodeo.
[edit] Religion
There are five houses of worship within the town, all of the Christian faith. [3]
- Anglican Church of Canada
- Barriere United Church
- Bethany Baptist Church
- Pentecostal Christian Life Assembly
- St. George's Roman Catholic Church
