Port Hardy, British Columbia

Cleanup|date=February 2007

Port Hardy is a small community in British Columbia, Canada located on the north-eastern coast of Vancouver Island. [BCGNIS|26513|Port Hardy] Port Hardy has a population of 3822 at last census (2006). It is the gateway to Cape Scott Provincial Park on the northern most tip of Vancouver Island.
Highway 19, which stretches from one end of Vancouver Island to the other, ends in Port Hardy, right near Rotary Park.This explains the town's motto, found on a sign entering town, that reads, "where the highway ends and the adventure begins." Port Hardy's twin city is Numata, Japan. Port Hardy is also known for its world class cold water scuba diving.

Filomi Days

Once a year, Port Hardy holds a celebration in Rotary Park to acknowledge its natural resource based economy. The three syllables, fi, lo and mi, stand for "Fishing, Logging and Mining".The celebration includes festivities in the park such as activities for children, fundraising concessions, entertainment, beer gardens, a dunk-tank, balloons, bake sales, craft sales, and fireworks.A dance for each age group and a parade are also held on Filomi Days weekend- typically the 3rd weekend in July.

Tourism

Despite the available resource based jobs on Northern Vancouver Island, Port Hardy's economy depends greatly on tourism. Ferries to Prince Rupert, British Columbia , another popular tourist destination in British Columbia, depart every other day during peak season.Tourist traffic in the summer is immense, and hotels and restaurants usually find themselves with no room to accommodate all travellers.When travelling to Port Hardy in summer months, be sure to have reservations made well ahead of time with BC Ferries, as well as the hotel or hostel of your choice.

Wildlife

Arguably the most appealing of Port Hardy's attributes is the abundance of wildlife.

Deer, black bears, bald eagles, squirrels, and many other species of birds and mammals are often spotted along the Quatse Loop Nature Trail or at Storey's Beach which is a short drive from town. Humpback whales can occasionally been seen surfacing in the bay in front of Rotary Park.

Port Hardy has many wildlife charters, fishing charters and places to camp during tourist season, and guests will find that local people are very willing to show off the natural wonders of the North Island.

Downtown

Port Hardy has a shopping centre (The Thunderbird Mall), a high school (Port Hardy Secondary), a strip mall, a campus of North Island College, as well as numerous banks, churches, bars and restaurants.

Other worthy sights downtown are the clocktower, the seawall, and Rotary Park — which overlooks Hardy Bay, and has a playground for children as well as public washrooms.

Culture

Port Hardy is a community well accepting of different cultures. There are three popular churches for those of different religions. There are three First Nations bands included as part of Port Hardy. Closest to town is the band of Gwa'sala/Nakwaxda'xw, two different bands originally from the coast of British Columbia that were moved to the same reserve by the government. The Quatsino band is about a 20 minute drive from downtown, and the Fort Rupert band is about 15 minutes away, near Storey's Beach. These three bands make up a large portion of Port Hardy's community, and provide a great deal to its industries. Quatsino has a mill, a dock, and is in the process of building a wind farm for the benefit of their community. All three bands have schools to fulfill their educational needs.

ee also

*Tlatlasikwala Nation
*Da'naxda'xw Awaetlatla Nation (Tanakteuk First Nation}
*Kwakiutl First Nation (Fort Rupert Band)

References