Grand Forks
Gazette
Your community voice since 1897
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012
VOL 115 NO. 9
❚ Oh “deer!” page 8 Hunters talk provincial deer management.
❚ POPULATION
Grand Forks dips below 4,000 in latest census ulation, so in the end, I think we will have a balanced population,” he added. “The question is, in the middle, what are we going to have? We’re The City of Grand Forks’ population has fall- going to have young people and old people.” In Regional District of Kootenay Boundary en to 3,985, according to 2011’s census figures re(RDKB), Area D saw a slight increase of 11 to leased by Statistics Canada. The most recent figures have dropped below 3,187, from 3,176 in 2006. “I was pleased to see that,” stated Area D Dithe city’s 1996 population of 3,994. In 2001, it climbed to 4,054 before dipping rector Irene Perepolkin, who pointed out there were a few new homes going up in the area. again in 2006 to 4,036. “People are looking for a little bit of room The loss of residents represents a 1.3 per cent once they retire to this community and they want decrease in Grand Forks’ growth rate. “We haven’t received (all) the information yet a piece of land surrounding them if they’re movfrom Statistics Canada, but as soon as we do re- ing from the city,” explained Perepolkin. “We do a lot of home-based businesses ceive the information, we’ll be in Area D without having to circulating that to the public in get a business license, which is an agenda or some form of ina bit of an enticement as well. formation,” stated Diane HeinPeople don’t want to fully rerich, the city’s corporate officer. tire but they want to keep put“I don’t believe there is a huge tering around to do something, change in our population. It which is a good way to do it.” stays mostly static.” As for the next five years, Mayor Brian Taylor agreed, Perepolkin doesn’t believe stating the results are slightly there will be a large jump in skewed. numbers, but there will be a “If you look at the impact gradual increase in populathe census had on the area tion. surrounding Grand Forks, in In RDKB Area C, there was particular out from Spraggett decrease of 44 residents to Road towards the west, when Grand Forks’ Mayor Brian Taylor 1,391 since last count. you add that in, we come pretty Area C Director Grace McGregor stated the close to zero (growth),” he explained. “To me, that (area is) our community, so even though lack of jobs one of the reasons for the decrease in the census goes strictly by the parameters on the population. “It’s hard to keep young people in your comtown, as a community itself, we’ve stayed pretty munity when you don’t have work for them,” exstable.” Rather than focusing on increasing the popu- plained McGregor. “A lot of places have dropped, lation, Taylor noted the challenge Grand Forks and a lot of people are moving to cities instead faces is the dramatic change in the demograph- of staying in the rural areas because of simple things like the close proximity to the hospital, or ic. “We had the influx of early retirees and hope- being able to walk downtown.” McGregor also believes the province isn’t fully what I see, is that there will be a balance,” he stated. “It’s going to take young people to helping the rural areas keep their residents. “The province is encouraging rural area peolook after old people.” The new subdivisions for the Silver Kettle Vil- ple to move to urban and city-like areas, which lage development will bring 110 jobs to Grand makes it really difficult for us here when you Forks, which will bring younger workers, Taylor don’t get a lot of helping hand,” she added. Statistics Canada conducts the census every pointed out. “We’ll also need to be ready for a daycare pop- five years.
CASSANDRA CHIN Gazette Reporter
Spring around the corner? Who needs the groundhog anyway? Five-year-old Ayvra Zibin stopped by the Grand Forks Gazette office last week with the first pussy willows of the spring. They were found near the USCC Hall in Grand Forks – the first sure-fire sign of spring?
KARL YU PHOTO
Join us for a Hot topic! Credit: How to build it, maintain it, and recover when you lose it.
Home and Garde Spring 2011
FREE Workshop Grand Forks Credit Union Mark Grimm, CFP Thurs, March 1 6:30 to 8pm Register through Selkirk at 250-442-2704
www.gfdscu.com • Tues to Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-1pm • 250-442-5511
Mark Grimm, CFP
ment Special Supple
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Home and Garden coming soon To advertise please call the Gazette at 250-442-2191
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