History

British Columbia’s recorded history began with European explorers searching for the legendary Northwest Passage to the Orient. It was on the west coast of Vancouver Island, just 100km north of Ucluelet, that Captain James Cook of the British Navy first set foot, in 1778. Captain James Barkley followed in 1787, arriving in Barkley Sound in search of sea otter pelts. But Cook and Barkley were not the first men to perceive this lands wealth. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of First Nations along this outer coast for at least 4300 years.

In 1870, fur sealers settled in the area. Captain Francis, the owner of several sealing schooners, established a trading post in Ucluelet. Ucluelet began to grow along with the sealing industry and became a bustling little town. In the 1890’s more settlers began arriving on the news of pending road access from Port Alberni. Fishing was excellent and gold was to be found on Florencia Bay. The stories of gold were correct, but it was so fine and in such little quantity that it could not be worked profitably.

The Presbyterian Church built a Mission House and school and a doctor was dispatched to the area in 1898. By 1900, more settlers had moved into the area.

Development began bringing infrastructure and services of all kinds. The Canadian Pacific Railway operated a small freight boat sailing from Victoria three times a month. In 1903 a whaling station was established in Barkley Sound. In Ucluelet a lighthouse, a government telegraph office, and a lifeboat station were built. As the First World War began, the fishing industry had started.

When World War II began the Government of Canada took measures to protect Vancouver Island from potential invasions. The military established a seaplane base in Ucluelet and a land base at Long Beach. The road to Tofino, which had been worked on for thirty years was finally completed.

Ucluelet continued to prosper after the war luring more residents hoping for prosperity to the beautiful region. In August 1959, the long awaited road to Port Alberni was finally opened. Ucluelet became incorporated on February 26th, 1952. Its status was changed to a District in 1997 to reflect, in part, the increasing population and increasing importance within the region.

Parks

Ucluelet parks are valued as a great asset to the community. Ucluelet has a large variety of parks for the enjoyment of local residents and tourists of all ages. Ucluelet has a high percentage of parkland, substantially surpassing the provincial minimum requirement of 5%.

The Small Craft Harbour, Little Beach, Big Beach, He-Tin-Kis Park, Fraser Lane Park, and Terrace Beach all offer waterfront view and access to the ocean.

Many steps are taken to ensure the long-term health of the community’s parks. The municipal parks crew is dedicated to landscaping and beautification programs in addition to upgrading the parks to be safe and accessible for all.

The District is planning to create new parks and to expand existing parks in Ucluelet. Included in these plans are a multi-purpose sports field, skateboard park, outdoor-lit basketball court, BMX bike track, tot park, expansion and improvement of the Wild Pacific Trail, and refurbishment of the Edna Batchelor Park.

Parks of Ucluelet:
Lions Park
Recreation Hall Park
George Fraser Memorial Park
Frank Jones Memorial Park
Edna Batchelor Park
(formerly Discovery Park)

Wild Pacific Trail

In 1999 the initial phase of the Wild Pacific Trail was completed. The Province of British Columbia together with the Government of Canada provided funding and land to make this recreational opportunity become a reality. Subsequently, in 2002, the District of Ucluelet and private sector partners were also involved to extend the original 2.7 km trail by an additional six kilometers.

This coastal trail offers spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean, offshore islets, rugged headlands and wildlife. The trail has been designed to allow safe, easy access for all age groups. Benches, sponsored by local businesses or purchased by individuals, are provided at viewpoints. The views along this ever-changing and dynamic outer coast are breathtaking. Consequently, Ucluelet is now attracting nature lovers, adventure seekers, photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts in increasing numbers, which will assist the diversification of the local economy.

Wild Pacific Trail     web-site

Special Events

Ucluelet is truly an active town with the events hosted by the municipality, the Chamber of Commerce, local businesspersons and residents, there is at least one event every month of the year. These life enhancing events range from small local musical jam nights or book readings to large-scale festivals such as Ukee Days and the Pacific Rim Whale Festival. Events are made popular and successful through the efforts of committed volunteers – illustrating the proactive spirit of the community.

Contact:   Abby Fortune, Ucluelet Director of Recreation and Tourism

Major events links:
     Edge-to-Edge Marathon
     Pacific Rim Summer Festival
     Pacific Rim Whale Festival
     Ukee Days

The Long Beach Golf Course is a challenging course nine hole course, open year ‘ round, for golfers of all skill levels.

Information for other organized recreational opportunities is available from the Ucluelet District Recreation Department.

Education

There is one elementary school and one secondary school in Ucluelet. The elementary school enrolls students from the surrounding area and within the municipal boundary. The secondary school services the entire West Coast including Tofino. Each school has capacity for just over 300 students.

Other educational services include North Island College which offers a variety of courses: first and second year university, literacy, and vocational.

Housing

New residents moving to Ucluelet, in pursuit of various opportunities, are attracted to an abundance of recreational possibilities and a lifestyle that cannot be duplicated anywhere else.

The municipality is committed to supporting the development of all housing types and has identified the need to supply special needs housing (affordable, seniors, etc.) in Ucluelet. The high demand for housing has contributed to escalating real estate prices. Seasonal workers have difficulty finding rental vacancies, in part because secondary suites are being converted to tourist accommodation.

While Ucluelet’s housing stock is presently limited but will increase dramatically when District Lots 281 and 282 develop and the Weyerhaeuser lands are rezoned and subdivided. Infill is occurring within the residential neighbourhoods, and this will also have a positive impact on the housing supply.

Policy and demographic information is available via these links:
      Ucluelet Official Community Plan     web-site
      Ucluelet Community Profile             document

Community Services

There is currently one certified child care resident in Ucluelet . This provider is operating at capacity.. Steps are being taken by the voluntary sector, specifically the Ucluelet and Area Child Care Society, to improve the availability of child care services. The society’s goal is to provide more licensed child care spaces including after school programs. A developer recently donated to the district a 7,100 square foot lot earmarked for a child care facility.

There are a number of different organizations, societies, clubs, and associations people can join to improve quality of life. For a complete list, please contact the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering with these organizations is a great way to meet people and get to know the community.

Health Services

The Ucluelet Medical Clinic has two full-time doctors and one part-time doctor available by appointment only. There is Chiropractic care offered three times a week in Ucluelet and physiotherapy is available at the Tofino hospital. An optometrist visits Ucluelet several times a year.

There is a branch of the public health unit, open part of the week, staffed by a nurse. They offer a Better Baby program and other services. The West Coast Transition House offers safe shelter and counseling support for women and children. The West Coast Women’s Resources Society offers family support of all kinds but has limited hours. This women’s centre is open one day a week. There is also a provincially funded mental health unit.

Tofino General Hospital, 40 km. North West of Uclulet, services the entire West Coast region. The hospital provides home health care, 24-hour emergency services, acute inpatient services, physiotherapy services, laboratory, X-ray, Electrocardiogram, and a birthing room. Patients needing other health services must travel to Port Alberni or Nanaimo hospitals.

Emergency Services

Police Protection:
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) office in Ucluelet currently is comprised of one sergeant, four constables, one full time and one part-time office staff.

Fire Protection:
Ucluelet has an experienced and dedicated Volunteer Fire Brigade with one full-time volunteer fire chief. The fire hall is in the centre of town where the department’s two pump trucks are housed.

Ambulance Service:
The B.C. Ambulance Service provides the ambulance service in Ucluelet. There is a permanent station in Ucluelet run by a number of trained volunteers. The ambulance service and the fire department work closely together in emergency situations.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Transportation

Roads & Highways:
Ucluelet is serviced by one main arterial standard road, Ucluelet/Tofino Highway that runs north from Ucluelet through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to Tofino. Provincial Highway 4 accesses this road at a junction eight km from Ucluelet and 32 km from Tofino.

Within Ucluelet, the community employs Smart Growth Strategies focusing on providing alternative transportation networks. Narrower, winding roads are developed for aesthetic reasons and to slow traffic. Green linkages and walking paths separate from the road are replacing traditional paved sidewalks. These strategies are being incorporated, where appropriate, into new developments.

Ucluelet is a pedestrian and bicycle friendly community. An 8 km. paved bicycle path runs alongside Pacific Rim Highway from the junction to Ucluelet.

The municipality has committed to upgrading Peninsula Road with re-paving and beautification through installation of underground power lines. To create safer access and egress, future plans include developing a secondary access route into Ucluelet through the Weyerhaeuser Lands.

Most major courier and freight companies service Ucluelet. Heavy trucking and container services are offered privately. Ucluelet also has a Canada Post office.

Ground transportation in the region is available through Greyhound, Tofino Bus, Ucluelet Taxi, and Budget Rentals. No public funded transport is available at this time.


Air Transportation:
The Tofino-Ucluelet airport is located near the Long Beach section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and is administered by the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District. The Airport has three 5,000 ft runways and scheduled and charter flights operate from there.. The major airports on Vancouver Island include: Victoria international airport, Nanaimo airport, and the Comox Valley airport.

Marine Transportation:
The passenger/cargo motor vessels Lady Rose and Francis Barkley (both operated by Alberni Marine Transportation Services) travel between Port Alberni and Ucluelet three times a week from May through September. Private arrangements can be made for shipping services (domestic and international) and water taxis. Ucluelet is a recognized Canada Customs Clearance Centre. Ucluelet is constantly upgrading marine facilities to accommodate increased traffic.

Water & Sewer:
The District of Ucluelet draws water from supplies with sufficient capacity to sustain the community until, approximately, the year 2015. Two water storage reservoirs allow for water storage to ensure adequate supply during peak demand times. Proposals exist to use Kennedy Lake as a future water supply.
Wastewater is collected by gravity and pressure sewers and is pumped to a highly efficient aerated lagoon treatment facility located on Hyphocus Island.

Electrical Service:
B.C. Hydro provides electricity to the community through a network of safe and efficient systems. Renewable energy projects are in the proposal stage for the area.

Telecommunications:
Telephone communication infrastructure is mainly provided by Telus Communications. Telus and Rogers AT&T provide mobile service to the West Coast.

Service providers use ADSL and ISDN systems. Fiber optic cables have been installed to service Ucluelet’s growing technological needs. Although the fiber optic cables are inactive at this time, the local cable company provides efficient high-speed "cable” internet service to the area.

Cable:
Ucluelet Video Cable Service provides digital cable to the community.

Internet:
Internet access is provided through dial-up phone connection through Telus or through high-speed cable from local providers.

Television:
Cable television service providers in Ucluelet offer all major television networks.

Newspaper:
The Westerly News, a Can West owned paper, provides local news once a week for both Ucluelet and Tofino. Regional, national, and international newspapers are available from local retail venders.

Garbage, Recycling, & Industrial Waste Services:

Domestic garbage is collected by a private contractor and disposed of at the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District landfill. Ucluelet residents are “Bear Aware” and abide by a Garbage Bylaw, not putting garbage outside until the morning of pick-up day.

Ucluelet currently has two recycling facilities: the Bottle Depot located on Bay Street and a volunteer run facility at the District Public Works yard. Ucluelet Recycles, a volunteer group is making progress for expansion to cardboard and glass processing.