Welcome to Powell River School District 47. Located immediately across from Courtenay on Vancouver Island, we provide public education for the community of Powell River, at the heart of the Sunshine Coast. We have six elementary schools, one middle school, one secondary school and one alternate program. School District 47 has an operating budget of approximately 21 million dollars and more than 300 employees committed to the education of our 2500 students.

This website is meant to provide you with an overview of the Powell River School District, featuring our various programs and services. This includes contact information, employment opportunities, and resource information for students, parents, and staff, supplemented with the latest news from around our district.

If you require further information, or would like to offer feedback please contact us at info@sd47.bc.ca.

For more information about Powell River and the surrounding area please read on or visit our Local Links, displayed on the right.

Powell River is a unique costal community located 140 km northwest of Vancouver. Close enough to the big city to enjoy its advantages, Powell River remains a safe, quiet community a step away from the noise, problems and crowds of city life. Our community is linked to Vancouver by two ferries and by air service.

Powell River's breathtaking scenery and mild climate makes it an ideal location to live, study and experience Canadian lifestyle. Powell River enjoys warm summers and mild winters. It receives an moderate rainfall of 95 cm. and experiences average summer temperatures of between 18-24 degrees Celsius. The area supports about 20,000 people who enjoy quality education, medical, commercial and recreational facilities.

Forestry, tourism and fishing are the major industries in this community. The Catalyst Paper Mill is one of the largest in the world. Secure employment provides a stable community with modern service. Families enjoy this safe and happy lifestyle.

Powell River is most well known for its magnificent scenery; the sun, the sea and the mountains. Outdoors activities are enjoyed year round. It boasts opportunities for all aquatic sports such as fishing, boating and diving. These combined with hiking trails and spectacular natural beauty make Powell River a growing recreational and retirement location.

Population:

Municipal Area: 14,000
Regional Area: 20,000 (including Sliammon and Municipality)

Location and Climate:

Powell River is located on the mainland 140 km (88 miles) northwest of Vancouver BC. Jervis Inlet separates Powell River from the rest of the Sunshine Coast. To the west lies the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island. Powell River is situated at the top of the Sunshine Coast. The regional area has a total of 1,260,160 acres and the municipality covers a total of 10,212 acres which is made up of 7,143 acres of land and 3,069 acres of water. The area has a moderate average rainfall of between 101 and 135 centimetres (45 - 53 inches) with an average of 1,400 to 1,900 hours of sunshine. The year round temperature average is 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). In the summer the temperatures vary from 18 - 24 degrees Celsius (65 -75 degrees Fahrenheit).

Recreation:

Powell River is a year round sea to mountain recreation area. There is an 18 hole championship golf course, lawn bowling greens, a curling rink, a 16 lane bowling alley, five concrete tennis courts, an all weather 400 metre track, as well as many baseball, fast ball, softball and soccer fields. There is an active square dancing and round dancing group. Timberlane Park has one of the largest enclosed turfed playing fields in the province. It has dressing rooms and grandstands.

Miles of hiking trails lead to beautiful lookouts, waterfalls, or peaceful lakes which can be viewed along the 180 km Sunshine Coast trail. Much of the Alpine area is reached by logging roads, which are privately owned by the logging companies. Public access is limited on some gravel roads to when the forestry companies are not logging. They are open on weekends and holidays.

Boating and sports fishing are ardently pursued as all season sports. Three marinas are available to residents and visitors. Powell River is known as the "HOT SPOT" for winter diving in North America. The "Mermaid" at Saltery Bay Mermaid Cove Provincial Park is an extra special attraction. We also have some of the largest wolf eel and octopus in the world.

The Powell River recreation complex houses cultural and sporting events, conventions, and special occasions. The complex covers 12,850 square meters (138,500 square feet) making it one of Canada's largest. The complex was opened in December of 1975. There are two regulation size ice rinks, a 37 1/2 meter indoor pool, a health spa with sauna, swirlpool, leisure pool, universal gym, and fitness room, a 723 seat auditorium, convention meeting room and banquet facilities.

Canoeing my also be enjoyed on the quiet lakes of Powell River along the Powell Forest Canoe Route. Ocean canoeing and kayaking is very good in Jervis Inlet, the Copeland Islands Marine Park, the Malaspina Inlet with Okeover Arm, and the Desolation Sound Marine Park. For all nature lovers and sightseers, Powell River has many parks, view points and beaches to explore, and the hiking club will help you take advantage of the many beautiful trails. Bird watching is also available for nature lovers.

Government:

The City of Powell River is governed by a Mayor and six councillors who are elected to 3 year terms. The Powell River Regional District is governed by a seven person Board of Directors, of whom five are elected for a two year term, and the other two are appointed representatives of the Municipal Council. The elected members have one vote each while the Municipal Representatives share seven votes.

Industry:

Forestry, tourism, mining, and fishing are the major industries. Catalyst Powell River Division is one of the west coast's largest single unit pulp and paper mills employing about 700 people. The first roll of newsprint was produced at the plant in 1912, when it was known as the Powell River Company. In 1960 the company was amalgamated with MacMillan Bloedel. Today the plant is capable of producing 1,950 metric tons of paper per day. All areas of the plant have been modernized to keep up with modern technological change, thus providing a stable, long-term, industry for the community. Tours of the plant are conducted four times daily June through September and on a pre-arranged basis, subject to the availability of guides.

Emergency:

The Powell River General Hospital is a newly built fully accredited hospital. A 75 bed extended care unit and 65 bed acute care unit have recently been completed. Our Fire Department consists of 12 full time fire fighters and 48 volunteers. There are two municipal Fire halls and four fire halls outside the municipal boundaries. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has a 23-person detachment in Powell River plus an auxiliary force of six. 911 service is available.

Media:

Jump Radio, SHAW Cable, the Bi-weekly Powell River Peak and Onelink.