Kent, British Columbia

Neighbourhoods

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, which is still the name of the mountain Harrison Highlands is located on) is a residential resort development located in central-west Kent targeted towards residents from Vancouver. 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.

Climate

Like the rest of southwestern British Columbia, Kent enjoys a wet but moderate to mild climate in the wintertime with drier 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).

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, taking the name of the English county where hops were also an important crop. 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.

Mountain Institution, also known as Agassiz Mountain Prison, is a federal maximum-security prison at the western end of Kent Prairie, just north of the foot of what is known as Agassiz Mountain, the mountainside grade of BC Highway 7 which rises over the south side of Mount Woodside and descends into Harrison Mills to the Harrison River Bridge. It was constructed in the 1960s to house Freedomite Doukhobours in the wake of their arrest for various bombings in the Kootenay region and became the site of a large temporary tenement camp of their followers and supporters.

A research farm run by the federal government Department of Agriculture is located to the northwest of the town of Agassiz, and was formerly a private estate.

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).

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 Mark Strahl, a member of the ruling Conservative Party of Canada.

In provincial elections, Kent lies within the Chilliwack-Hope riding. The current Member of the Legislative Assembly is Laurie Throness of the British Columbia Liberal Party.

The current mayor of Kent is John Van Laerhoven.

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.

Agassiz-Harrison Transit operates a single bus route (No.11) from the Chilliwack downtown exchange to Rosedale, Popkum, Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs

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.

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'.

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 also a private K-7 school, Agassiz Christian School.

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.