COMOX
Komuckway means “plenty” in the local Native tongue and there certainly is plenty of wildlife and natural resources in the Comox Valley. European settlers adapted the name to Komoux, then finally to Comox. Comox has long been a proud Military Town, with roots going back to it’s first Navel Training Base in 1876. Today the Canadian Armed Forces base operates the airfield and the Bi-Annual Airshow attracts people from across the continent. The Town of Comox is located directly East of Courtenay, extending out onto the Comox Peninsula that creates the Comox Harbor.
The Comox land area is 14.20 square km (5.48 square miles or 1420 hectares) Comox was Incorporated on January 14, 1946. According to BC Stats annual population estimates, the population of Comox in 2003 was 11,937.
Both Courtenay and Comox have intertwined economies with residents using services from each area regardless of their home location. The most seaside-like community of all of the jurisdictions within the Valley, Comox has many marinas and water based businesses and attractions. The Town is home to the Canadian Armed Forces Base CFB Comox 19 Wing, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the B.C. Ferries terminal to Powell River.
COURTENAY
Courtenay was named after Rear Admiral George William Courtenay who sailed the HM Constance along the Coast of Vancouver Island over 150 years ago. Courtenay is a cosmopolitan center with excellent shopping accommodation and restaurants.
The City of Courtenay has the second largest population of the four main regions within the Comox Valley, after the combined rural areas A, B, C & K of the Regional District. It serves as the regional center for business, recreation, and tourism. Incorporated on January 1, 1915 the City, according to 2001 Stats Canada information, covered approximately 17.02 square Kilometers of land area. (1702 Hectares or 6.57 square miles.)
Courtenay's population grew by over 45% between the 1991 and 1996 census years giving it the distinction of being one of the fastest growing communities in the Province. This is one of the contributing reasons that the Comox Valley Provincial - Electoral Riding Boundaries had to change for the recent Provincial Election. According to BC Stats annual population estimates, the population of Courtenay in 2003 was 20,340.
High growth, along with the new four lane Island Highway expansion to Campbell River and access to both water and air links to Vancouver, indicate that the City of Courtenay will play a large part in the future development of the Comox Valley.
CUMBERLAND
When coal was discovered in the Cumberland area in the last century, the area suddenly enjoyed the popularity of a gold-rush town. Coal was a precious commodity needed to fuel the large fleet of British navy ships, which sailed the Pacific. Cumberland was formed and was soon swelling with entrepreneurial miners and get rich quick hopefuls.
Chinese labourers were hired and a thriving city of 10,000 people was quickly established. Over time the population declined to its present numbers.Cumberland owes its existence to the large amounts of coal discovered in those early years. Interestingly, opportunities now exist that could revive the coal mining attributes of this quaint and respected community.
Today Cumberland is considered a Historic Village, and is located approximately nine-km to the South West of Courtenay. It is the oldest of the three larger communities, Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, within the Comox Valley and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998.
Cumberland had a population of approximately 2618 in 2001 and covers about 29.74 Square km in land area. (11.48 square miles, 2974 hectares). Today the village is home to a variety of shops and services, including a unique Museum, an auction house, antiques and collectibles, live entertainment venues and a variety of restaurants.
Situated against the Beaufort Mountain Range it is an excellent location to access the numerous parks and trails located just to the West. Including the Cuberland Community Forest which boosted the greatest mountain biking and hiking trails around.
New boundary expansion in 2002 has added 22 sq km to the Village. According to BC Stats annual population estimates, the population of Cumberland in 2003 was 2,747.
The Cumberland trails are world renown among mountain bikers. The vistas alone are so worth a hike or ride through the trails. To A mountain biker it is the quality and diversity of the trails that keeps them coming back for more.
CSRD
The Comox Strathcona Regional District (CSRD) is one of 27 Regional Districts spanning the Province of British Columbia. “The Regional District system is the Province’s way of ensuring that all residents have access to common services” (B.C. Municipal Redbook). Regional Districts act as a unifying agent in partnership with the Municipalities and Areas within their particular boundaries.
To the South of Courtenay the region covers the communities of Fanny Bay BC, Buckley Bay BC, Union Bay BC, and Royston BC. To the North it covers the communities of Black Creek BC, Saratoga Beach BC and Merville BC. Much of the area is rural, with some agricultural lands and many parks and forests. The surrounding mountains are the home of the Forbidden Plateau Recreation Area of Strathcona Park, and the site of BC’s 2nd busiest ski hill… Mount Washington BC!
The Comox Strathcona Regional District cover approximately 1643.11 square km (634.41 square miles or 164,311 hectares.) The area is an important contributor to the Comox Valley as it comprises the largest land area and approximately 40% of the population resides within its boundaries.
Regional communities that fall within the Comox Valley and the Regional District Areas A, B, C, and K, offer small specialty shops and various recreational or tourism based opportunities. The residents of these areas frequently commute to Comox, Courtenay, and Cumberland for work or to use the area’s various services.
(Information courtesy of Comox Valley Economic Development Society) |