Courtenay

Courtenay was amalgamated as a town during 1915. It was named after the Courtenay River, which was named after the captain of the British ship HMS Constance: George William Courtenay. Courtenay became a city during the year 1953.

There are several tourist attractions in the city. Amongst them comprise the Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Center, The Comox Valley Art Gallery, and the Island Music Fest. The Courtenay and District Museum and Paleontology Centre offers fossil tours of historical exhibits and fossil tours. Mount Washington Alpine Resort is the biggest commercial ski place within Vancouver Island. The winter season brings numerous people for seasonal sports, such as snow shoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing. The summer season finds people hiking and bike riding. The COMOX Valley Art Gallery was established by a group of artists as the Central Island Arts Alliance, under the umbrella of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council. The Island Music Festival is the largest music fest within Vancouver. The event takes place at the Comox Valley, and lots of audiences and performers gather for three days of music and camping. It features local crafts, visual art exhibitions, and promoted and organized festivals and performance arts.

The group accountable for coordinating the use of all the school playing fields and parks situated within the city of Courtenay is Courtenay Recreation. Amongst the parks which they operate include: Bill Moore Park, Lewis Park, Martin Park, Woodcote Park, Puntledge Park, Valley View Park, Lagoon Park/Riverway, Standard Park and Simms Park. Dog lovers should also be informed that dogs in parks are to be leashed and just make use of the perimeter areas of Lewis, Valley View, Mission, Bill Moore, Woodcote and Martin Parks. People with special needs could likewise experience recreational activities provided by the Special Needs Recreation Program.

The whole Comox Valley is among the fastest growing rural communities, and has a lot of economic sectors driving business within the city. The economy is considered to the most diversified on the island of Vancouver. The most active business sectors consist of: Agrifood and Beverage Processing, which is the few remaining areas within British Columbia accessible for agrifood ventures. Air transportation is likewise a fast-growing business, with a 229 percent increase ever since 2000, as opposed to other BC's total airports to just 9 percent. Its expanded facilities make it a perfect player within the air cargo trade. Environmental and knowledge-based} technology is also strong in the city, as well as resort development and value-added wood processing (value-added niche wood products like for example cabinetry manufacturing, hardwood flooring and custom furniture). Also, the film business is going through tremendous expansion, since the Valley provides different and numerous scenery which could be utilized for film locations.