Castlegar

Understand

The city's population includes a large number of Doukhobors, who were largely responsible for much of Castlegar's early development and growth. A sizeable Portuguese community grew as workers, mainly from the Azores islands, moved in to take up employment in the area. The area which was to become Castlegar was an important centre for the Sinixt (Lakes) Peoples. Outside the city limits are the small surrounding communities of Ootischenia, Brilliant, Robson, Robson West, Raspberry, Tarrys, Thrums, Glade, Shoreacres, Fairview, Genelle, Pass Creek and Krestova. There are also the much smaller communities of Deer Park, Renata, and Syringa on Lower Arrow Lake. Taken together, these outlying areas comprise an approximate population of a further 8,000 people.

History On 5 September 1811, David Thompson arrived at the location where Castlegar now sits, where he camped near the mouth of the Kootenay River. A plaque dedicated to David Thompson can be found on the east bank of the Columbia River overlooking the present day site of Castlegar. The first settlement in the area was West Waterloo, now known as South Castlegar. There was widespread provincial interest in gold prospecting in the late 19th century, and by 1895 there were 40 houses in Waterloo. The town boomed until the end of the century when interest in the local mines declined. Castlegar takes its name from Castlegar, County Galway, Ireland, the ancestral home of townsite founder Edward Mahon. (Castlegar is on the eastern boundary of the city of Galway.) The city was planned in 1897. Around 1902, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built the bridge at Castlegar and laid the wide gauge railway tracks to Trail. There was little in Castlegar until after the completion of the CPR bridge.

First Nations history Castlegar is in the border area between the Sinixt (Interior Salish) and the Ktunaxa Indian bands. Experts cannot agree where the Ktunaxa range ended, and where the Sinixt began. There was much overlapping of c

Getting there

By car Castlegar is about 600 km from Calgary and from Vancouver on Highway 3.

By plane 1 West Kootenay Regional Airport (YCG IATA) (2 km SE of Castlegar), ☏ +1 250-365-5151, [email protected]. This airport regularly has flight cancellations due to fog, which can occur throughout the year, but are more common in the winter. Air Canada ☏ +1-888-247-2262 has daily flights to Castlegar from Vancouver (1.25 hours). (updated May 2023) Nearby airports include Trail Airport (YZZ IATA), which is 40 km to the south. Pacific Coastal Airlines operates flights between Vancouver and Trail. This airport is less prone to flight cancellations caused by fog.

By bus Mountain Man Mike's Bus Service, ☏ +1-778-382-7729, [email protected]. Twice per week service between Kaslo and Vancouver with stops in Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Manning Provincial Park, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, and New Westminster. Travel time to Castlegar from Kalso is 1.75 hours, from Nelson is 40 minutes, from Grand Forks is 1.75 hours, from Osoyoos is 2.75 hours, from Princeton is 4.5 hours, from Hope is 6.25 hours, from Abbotsford is 7.5 hours, and from Vancouver is 8.75 hours. This service provider also offers a weekly route between Kalso and Calgary via Nelson. (updated Mar 2022) Silver City Stagelines Limited, [email protected]. Multiple days per week bus service between Trail and Kelowna with stops in Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Midway, and Rock Creek. Travel time to Castlegar from Trail is 1.75 hours, from Nelson is 40 minutes, from Grand Forks is 1.5 hours, and from Kelowna is 4.25 hours. (updated Mar 2022)

Getting around

By rental car 2 Practicar, 1335 Columbia Ave, ☏ +1 250-365-1980, [email protected]. (updated Apr 2023)

By public transit BC Transit (West Kootenay Transit System), toll-free: +1-855-993-3100. Offers bus routes in the region, including Monday to Saturday service connecting Balfour, Castlegar, Fruitvale, Nelson, Rossland, Slocan City, and Trail. (updated Mar 2022) Route 33 travels between Castlegar Community Complex and Selkirk College via West Kootenay Regional Airport (10 minutes). Route operates Monday to Saturday. Route 99 travels between Nelson and Castlegar (40 minutes). From Castlegar Community Complex (the main bus exchange), take bus 33 to Selkirk College (10 minutes) and transfer to route 99. These routes operate from Monday to Saturday. Route 98 travels between Castlegar and Trail (25-30 minutes). Route operates Monday to Saturday.

By taxi Castlegar Taxi, ☏ +1 250-687-0133. (updated Jul 2022) Cedar Taxi, ☏ +1 250-521-0511. (updated Jul 2022) Trail Taxi, ☏ +1 250-921-6921. (updated Jul 2022)

See

1 Castlegar Sculpturewalk. The sculpturewalk is an annual, rotating exhibition of sculptures and artwork by international artists. In 2017, works of 330 artists were brought to the town to compete for a $25,000 prize. The art is located in the downtown area of the city, generally within about 0.5 km of city hall. Many of those sculptures along Columbia Street. (updated May 2018) 2 Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park, 901 7th Avenue. Suspension bridge to wooded island where you can see the confluence of two of the greatest rivers in British Columbia: the Columbia and the Kootenay. Picnic areas and nature walks. (updated May 2018) 3 Doukhobor Discovery Centre, 112 Heritage Way, ☏ +1 250 365-5327, [email protected]. May-September: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5 PM; off-season by appointment only. Outdoor displays, interactive educational exhibits and historical artifacts illustrating Doukhobor life in the Southern Interior of British Columbia (1908-1938). The Doukhobors came to Canada from Russia in the late 1890s because the Russian government persecuted them for their pacifist beliefs and their refusal to participate in the military. Adults $10, seniors $8, students: $5, children (under 5) free. (updated May 2018) 4 CPR Station Museum, 400 13th Ave, ☏ +1 250-365-6440. Apr-Oct: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Jul-Sep: daily 10AM-5PM. 1906 Canadian Pacific Railway station with perfectly preserved caboose. Gift shop offers a variety of handmade gifts crafted by local area artisans, including paintings and pottery. Suggested donation of $2. (updated May 2018) 5 Kootenay Gallery, 120 Heritage Way (across from the Castlegar Regional Airport, just past the Doukhobor Discovery Centre), ☏ +1 250-365-3337, [email protected]. Mar-Nov: Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Dec 1-2: daily 10AM-5PM. A principal gallery for the visual arts within the West Kootenay region. Has a gift shop. (updated May 2018)

Do

Summer Climbing: an up-and-coming climbing area with the potential to grow, great rock around try the "waterline" and some other local spots,

Hiking and mountain biking: some unreal trails and secret spots that will blow your mind. Locals are friendly and helpful. Golfing: 1 Castlegar Golf Club, 1602 Aaron Rd, toll-free