1) How much would you pay in property taxes on a typical home on Texada?
The tax rate in this region is changing – assessed values just increased an average of 30% in 2006 on Texada Island, and much more than that elsewhere on the BC coast. In 2005, an older 1,600 foot home in good condition (non-waterfront) in Van Anda showed an annual gross property tax obligation of $894. Property tax on vacant land has gone much higher in the last few years, nearly doubling. This reflects the market -- Texada has few vacant land listings, which drives both prices and taxes upward.
2) What would an average electrical bill for a 1,600 sq ft house look like, year-round?
An electrical bill depends on several variables, including the number and type of electric appliances you’re running, the time of year, the level of insulation in your house (if you’re using electric heating), and whether your house has a separate meter for electric furnace or baseboards under a now-discontinued program from BC Hydro (our Province’s electric utility). I’ve heard of electric bills from $40/month to $250/mon. For more info, try the home analysis feature at www.bchydro.com/
3) Do you have high-speed Internet access on Texada?
Yes, there are presently two high-speed options: 1) two-way satellite access or 2) terrestrial wireless access if you can establish a line-of-sight signal path to Powell River. The latest word on two-way satellite comes from Glen Roscovich, proprietor of RosComm in Powell River (Tel: 604-414-3890). In a mid-February 2007 phone conversation, Glen reported the following: "Our hottest selling service since last year has been the new Ka-band system which offers four speed levels. The basic service offers 128Kbps uplink and 500Kbps down for $54.99/month. The top level delivers 500Kbps up and 2.0Mbps down for $179.99/month. This system is very solid and dependable. An excitng feature of the Ka-band service is that it will support Internet-based telephone service - ie: an optional modem that you can plug a regular telephone into and use just like a normal telephone without needing the computer turned on. This technology offers cheaper phone service than a regular land line, far cheaper and more dependable than cellular - with all the extra calling features included - available anywhere you choose to live." Xplorenet (as of Feb 07) makes the ka-band equipment (dish and modem) available for $399.00. Average cost of installation on Texada is $250.
At our house we use two-way satellite and an in-home network. Access speeds vary according to how busy the Internet is (400k download and 125k upload are the approximate norms), and if we get really heavy precipitation during a storm, the link might go down for a few minutes or, quite rarely, a couple hours. The satellite dish on our roof for Internet access measures about 3.5 feet across. The monthly cost is $79 CDN. It works fine for our home-based business’s Internet access needs.
For at least the past few years, we've heard rumours that Telus may introduce Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service on Texada "any time," through a deal with Onelink (Tel: 604-485-6423), a local Internet access provider (they’re based in Powell River). Onelink is also the provider for wireless service in Van Anda only.
If you’d rather just check email once in awhile, and surf at 56k, then you might try Onelink for regular dial-up Internet service. See their website at www.onelink.ca. Another option is Telus Internet access services (see below for Telus’s website). Texada also has two public-access internet locations: at the Library in Gillies Bay or the Credit Union in Van Anda (confirm open hours before visiting).
4) How about television?
You’ve got three options: satellite TV, which costs about $25/month and up, but provides the most diversity in content; or the local non-profit cable TV associations in Van Anda and Gillies Bay, which serve only residents of those towns and provide about 25 channels; or rabbit ears on your television set, which might get you three or four channels at best.
5) What about telephone options?
Basic telephone landline service is provided by Telus (www.telus.com). It’s similar to regulated phone service anywhere. On Texada everyone gets assigned the same 486 prefix for basic phone service.
There’s also decent cell phone service on Texada via Telus, but the island has a few dead spots, too. One of them is at our house, because we’re located in a creek valley. So we only use our cell phone “on the road,” which is why we don’t advertise our cell phone number on our website. Local prefixes for cell phones are 483 and 414. Another option: Internet based phone service -- see #3, above.
6) How many full-time vs. part-time residents are there on Texada?
According to the 2006 census, there are about 1,129 full-time Texada residents, and we think there are about 200 summer/part-time residents. That's a slight drop in population (less about 20 full-time residents) from the 2001 census.
7) What’s the age distribution of Texadans?
The 2001census shows that about 25% of the population is between the ages of 20-44; about 35% of the population is between ages 45-64, and another 18% are seniors aged 65+. The median age is 46 years. Our population characteristics reflect the aging population of B.C. and Canada. Detailed analysis of the 2006 census is not yet available as of July 2007.
8) What do people on Texada do to make a living?
The largest employer is Texada Quarrying, Ltd, with about 120 employees and various contractors. Blubber Bay Quarry and Imperial Quarry combined have about 30 employees. Forestry and wood products account for approximately another 20 jobs. The North Island Princess, our island’s ferry, is based on Texada and has 22 employees, many of whom are part-time. There are also many pensioners on Texada.
Then there are the service jobs: grocery stores, gas station, restaurants, lodging, construction, automotive repair services, etc. We also have a growing number of people who earn a living using the Internet in various ways, and a small but vigorous group of full-time artists, craftspersons and musicians. And finally, a number of Texadans have found employment in Powell River, a 35 minute ferry ride away.
9) Does Texada have zoning?
No, we have something called “land use designations," which govern subdivision of land. Read all about it in the Texada Official Community Plan. Basically, you can run a business from home, or do a home renovation project without a permit from any government authority. Unless you want to build on land within a town watershed, the only permits you need for construction here are health (on-site sewage or septic system) and electrical.
10) What is the form of local government for Texada?
Texada Island is part of the Powell River Regional District. Our island is known in the District as “Electoral Area D,” and is represented on the Regional District Board by a Director elected by Texada residents. The current Director is Dave Murphy, who is also the owner of Welcome Harvest Farm. The term of office for Regional District Electoral Directors is three years; the next election will be in November of 2011. Texada local government also includes local citizen commissions appointed by the Regional District. These include the Recreation Commission and the Airport Commission.
11) Do you have restaurants?
Yes, we have a number of all-year restaurants and one seasonal food concession at Shelter Point Park (usually open May to October). Plus both grocery stores have some “deli” food available, and several other shops offer coffee, soft drinks, desserts and snacks.
12) What’s the shopping like?
We’ve got gift shops, a thrift shop, an art gallery, excellent grocery stores, art supplies and more. The local grocery stores are well-stocked small town general stores complete with deli, liquor, sundries and all types of food, and they work hard to be competitively priced. Both stores handle bulk orders at a discount and will find almost any item or brand you want if you let them know ahead of time. For details on retail shopping check out the ads in Texada’s Express Lines, our island’s monthly calendar of events and announcements, or the Texada Island Lines, our semi-quarterly newspaper. Both publications are available at the Texada Visitor Information Centre at Blubber Bay, or by subscription.
13) Is there a hospital?
No, the nearest hospital is in Powell River. Occasionally, severely injured patients may be taken to Vancouver via helicopter. But we are very fortunate to have the Texada Health Centre in Gillies Bay, which is staffed by a full-time doctor and two nurses. Texada’s ambulance service is housed at the Gillies Bay Fire Hall. Texada also benefits from the presence of a physiotherapist, home care workers and massage therapists.
14) How do I ship things to Texada, especially building materials?
For packages under 50 lbs and the like, we recommend using Canada Post, which maintains post offices at Van Anda and Gillies Bay. Canada Post includes a semi-overnight service from Purolater. Another package shipping option is Malaspina Coach Lines, offering 1-2 day service between Texada and Vancouver via Texada Transfer. For larger or heavier items, Texada Transfer (telephone: 604-485-7683) operates a trucking service between Texada Island, Powell River and points beyond, including Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
15) Is there overnight mail service to and from Texada?
Not usually. Two-day delivery is the fastest we’ve experienced, although friends say that you can get one-day delivery from Vancouver under some circumstances. For quickest outbound service, get your package or letter to one of our two post offices before the daily outgoing mail leaves for Powell River. Check with the appropriate post office for the cut-off time and mailing options. Van Anda Post Office telephone is 604-486-7511; Gillies Bay Post Office telephone is 604-486-7208 (through the Gillies Bay General Store switchboard).
16) Is there a school?
Yes, the Texada School in Van Anda is part of School District 47, based in Powell River. Texada School offers grades K through 7. Grades 8 and above commute to Powell River via bus and ferry (no charge for students). School District 47 also offers a distance-learning option for homeschoolers.
17) Do you get much snow on Texada?
Texada gets little snow, and sometimes none at all. Snow typically doesn’t stay on the ground more than a few days, either. Nice, eh?
18) Is it dark and raining most of the time in winter?
That depends on the winter. “Normal” for the BC coast is lots of rain in the winter months. If it’s a dry winter, you’ll see more sun, sometimes even for a few weeks straight. Our statistical average for rainfall is 990 mm (39 inches) per year, with most of it falling between September and May.
19) Are there good places to hike on Texada?
Yes, we have lots of great trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVing. Multiple use of trails works fine when people are considerate, which is typically the case. About two-thirds of Texada Island is Crown land, with old logging roads providing a backbone trail network. A group called the Texada Trekkers invites all comers to join in a hike each week. The group meets in Gillies Bay on Saturday mornings.
20) Where can you go swimming on Texada?
You can swim in the “saltchuck” (that’s Texadan/BC Coastal for “ocean”) in the summer months at various places. One of the most popular swimming beaches is at Shelter Point Park, near Gillies Bay. Freshwater swimming is available in various lakes (except Priest Lake and Cranby Lakes, which are used as village water sources). There’s also a local swimming hole in an old quarry, but it’s on private property so you’ll have to become a local to make its acquaintance. We don’t have a heated, chlorinated public swimming pool.
21) What’s the crime situation on Texada?
Crime is generally not a problem on Texada Island. Some people lock their doors, some don’t. People here tend to look out for each other, and we have two very capable RCMP officers living and working on Texada full-time. Deterrents to crime include our small, tight-knit population (outsiders are noticed), and the fact that there are limited “getaway” options on an island.
22) Do you have a bank?
We have something even better: our own branch of First (formerly Powell River) Credit Union! The Texada Branch is located in Van Anda and provides excellent customer service. Coming from the world of impersonal city banking, I am still very impressed with Texada’s Credit Union Branch! Our local financial people are highly competent, friendly, flexible and include in their business practices the vital aspect of neighbour-to-neighbour relationships. The Credit Union is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (telephone 604-486-7851), and the Branch Manager is Jane Waterman. You don’t need an ATM at this Credit Union, since you won’t wait in line for long, but there are bank ATMs at the Gillies Bay General Store and Texada Island Inn, “just in case.”
23) Are there licensed property management services on Texada?
Licensed property management services are not available on Texada. We do have property maintenance services -- indoor cleaning and outdoor grounds-keeping -- but you’re on your own in managing tenants in a rental property.
24) What's the price of gasoline and groceries relative to the mainland?
Texada's gas station and grocery stores make a great effort to stay competitive with Powell River prices. For example, gas prices have lately been about $1.18./litre for "regular unleaded" at Texada's Centennial Service and in Powell River (as of July, 2007). We strongly support our local gas station and grocery stores, because 1) they provide great service at competitive prices; 2) they provide steady employment for Texadans; and 3) if we don't support our local service businesses, they won't be there when we need them. By the way, "marked gas" and diesel fuel are also available at Centennial Service on Texada.
25) Is there a garbage collection service on Texada? How about recycling?
Yes to both services, thanks to former Texadans Daryl and Marie McCormack. Their Powell River company, Sunshine Disposal & Recycling, collects garbage on Texada for a yearly fee of $133.56 for a single family residence (2007 rates), or $37.60 per quarter if you'd rather make smaller payments. In addition, there's a disposal fee of $1.70 per 22-pound bag, which is imposed by the Powell River Regional District. Sunshine Disposal also operates recycling depots at Van Anda and Gillies Bay.
