Kent, British Columbia
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| District of Kent | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  British Columbia |
| Regional District | Fraser Valley |
| Incorporated | 1895 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Lorne Fisher |
| Area | |
| - Total | 13.96 km² (5.4 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 80 m (262 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 4,738 |
| - Density | 435.32/km² (1,127.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8) |
| - Summer (DST) | Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7) |
| Postal code span | V0M |
| Area code(s) | 604, 778 |
The District of Kent is a district municipality located 116 kilometres (72 miles) east of Vancouver, British Columbia. Part of the Fraser Valley Regional District, Kent consists of several major town centres, the most well-known being Agassiz, and several designated Indian reserves. Its only incorporated municipal neighbours are Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs; its unincorporated neighbours include Fraser Valley Electoral District C, Fraser Valley Electoral District B, Fraser Valley Electoral District F and Fraser Valley Electoral District D.
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[edit] Geography
Located north of Chilliwack and south of Harrison Hot Springs, Kent is made up of several communities. Agassiz is the district's commercial and industrial centre, and also the largest community. Harrison Mills in western Kent consists of mainly agricultural land and is home to the British Columbia Heritage Kilby Museum and Campground. Harrison Highlands (formerly known as Mount Woodside) is a residential resort development located in central-west Kent targeted towards residents from Vancouver [1]. Ruby Creek to the northeast is a mixed rural-residential community. Rockwell Drive, at the eastern shore of Harrison Lake, serves as a residential and commercial resort-like community.
[edit] Climate
Like the rest of southwest British Columbia, Kent enjoys a wet but moderate to mild climate in the wintertime with dry summers, with very few major temperature fluctuations. The warmest months are usually July and August, with an average of 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit); its coldest month is normally January, averaging 2.5 °C (35 °F) [2].
[edit] History
Kent's growth was initiated by the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush about fifty years later in 1858. Among the first European settlers to settle in Kent in the 1860s include T.B. Hicks and the Agassiz family. Shortly after, the first commercial activity in the area took place between the local First Nations people and the Hudson's Bay Company fur traders. Rapid commercial growth followed as boats started to routinely stop in the area en route to the Fraser Canyon.
The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway around 1881 introduced more development along areas in Kent near the Fraser River and Harrison River. In 1895, the District of Kent was incorporated. Shortly after the incorporation, the Canadian Pacific Railway opened, bringing along more commercial activity to the area.
While the traditional economic merchandise in the area are agriculture-related, there has been a diversification since the 1900s. Roads started to be built between 1901 and 1940, becoming one of the major sources of employment. A bridge crossing at the Harrison River opened in 1926, creating the first-ever road connection to the west of Kent. This connection is often credited for making Agassiz a market-friendly agricultural centre.
In 1948, the Fraser River Flood struck and wiped out Kent's hop industry. However, this disaster unexpectedly benefited Kent as corn became the new primary agricultural product of the region, leading to Agassiz's claim as the "Corn Capital of BC"; this claim is still used today. [3]
[edit] Demographics
Kent's estimated population in 2005 was 6,077 people. The majority of residents reside in Agassiz. It is the fifth most populated municipality in the Fraser Valley Regional District, after Abbotsford (115,711), Chilliwack (64,898), Mission (31,272) and Hope (6,313). Only one incorporated municipality, Harrison Hot Springs, has fewer residents (1,343).
[edit] Government and politics
In federal elections, Kent is part of the Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon riding, which has existed since 2004. The riding's current Member of Parliament is Chuck Strahl, a member of the ruling Conservative Party of Canada.
In provincial elections, Kent lies within the Chilliwack-Kent riding. The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Barry Penner of the British Columbia Liberal Party.
The current mayor of Kent is Lorne Fisher.
[edit] Transportation
Several highways run through Kent. Highway 7 (also known as the Lougheed Highway) runs the entire length of the district, connecting Kent to much of the Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver. Highway 9 connects Highway 7 to the Trans Canada Highway.
Public transit [4] is operated by Chilliwack/Agassiz-Harrison Transit and funded by BC Transit. There are two fare zones: one for Chilliwack and one for Kent, Harrison Hot Springs and Fraser Valley Electoral Area D. There are nine routes in operation, all of which have connections to downtown Chilliwack.
- Route #1: Fairfield Loop
- Route #2: McNaught Loop
- Route #3: Chilliwack Central Loop
- Route #4: Hospital Loop
- Route #5: Downtown to Luckakuck Loop
- Route #6: Sardis via Wiltshire to Sardis
- Route #7: Sardis via Higgison to Sardis
- Route #8: Yarrow & Greendale Loop
- Route #11: Agassiz-Harrison Transit to Harrison
[edit] Economy
Kent's economy has traditionally relied on agriculture. However, it has diversified in recent years by ways of tourism and recreation. Nearby Harrison Hot Springs is a big tourist draw for the area, and many adventurers take advantage of the lakes and rivers in and around Kent. Other nearby tourist attractions include Minter Gardens [5] in Popkum, the Trans-Canada Waterslides [6] in Bridal Falls and Dinotown [7] (a dinosaur-themed amusement park), also in Bridal Falls.
A major employer of the region is the Correctional Service of Canada. Both Mountain Institution (Medium Security) and Kent Institution (Maximum Security) are located within the district.
Agassiz bills itself as the 'Corn Capital of BC'.
[edit] Education
Kent is served by School District 78 Fraser-Cascade. Its schools within Kent include Agassiz Elementary Secondary School, Kent Elementary School, McCaffrey Alternative School, and the Agassiz Continuing Education Centre provides education for adults.
There is only one private institution offering faith-based education for K-7 Agassiz Christian School and secondary education may be pursued in nearby east Chilliwack at Unity Christian School for grades 8-12.
[edit] Sports and recreation
While Kent has no big sports teams, it is a hub for recreational activity due to its proximity to major rivers and lakes; Harrison Lake and Harrison River is often used for water sports. Sasquatch Provincial Park in northern Kent, next to Harrison Lake, provides camping areas and offers hiking and fishing opportunities [8].
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- District of Kent - official site
- Agassiz-Harrison Observer (newspaper)
- Harrison.ca - tourism information for Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and Bridal Falls
- Fraser Valley Regional Library - Agassiz branch
- PARC Agassiz laboratory
[edit] See also
- Chilliwack, British Columbia
- Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
- Harrison Mills, British Columbia
- Chehalis, British Columbia
[edit] Surrounding communities
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Harrison Lake, Fraser Valley Electoral Area C, Harrison Hot Springs |
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| Fraser Valley Electoral Area F |  |
Fraser Valley Electoral Area D, Fraser Valley Electoral Area B | |||||
 Kent  |
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| Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Electoral Area D |
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