Unplug and enjoy the sprawling outdoors of Northeast BC

The community of Dawson Creek is nestled in the Northeast corner of beautiful British Columbia and is proudly recognized as Mile Zero of the historic Alaska Highway. This city of almost 13,000 people has a rich pioneer and World War II history, and an economy rooted in agriculture, forestry, energy, and tourism. The geographic location of Dawson Creek is such that residents and visitors don’t need to travel very far before they can unplug and enjoy the sprawling outdoors: rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, and local wildlife.

For a community of its size, it could be argued that Dawson Creek is punching above its weight in terms of success with event tourism. Our unwavering commitment to providing first-class northern hospitality has afforded the community the opportunity to host many successful events. Not every community can boast about an annual Stampede and Exhibition approaching a 100th anniversary or celebrating the 25th year of hosting a classic car show! Event execution relies upon the relationships that have been built over time and the countless hours of volunteer dedication. Dawson Creek has also purposefully invested in facilities to support event tourism such as the South Peace Multiplex which houses the Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre, Lakota Agriplex and the Encana Events Centre.

The Encana Events Centre is a multi-purpose facility seating 4500+  with a regulation ice surface, 15,000 sq ft lobby, 5000 sq ft banquet/meeting room, 8 dressing rooms, full kitchen and catering services, and a 250 meter walking/running track on the suite level. Managed by Spectra Venue Management, the Centre hosts concerts, Broadway shows, sporting and cultural events, meetings, conferences, and community events.

In 2017, Dawson Creek hosted the U17 World Hockey Challenge. The volunteers and community pride were overwhelming, and the event was a tremendous success. This groundwork has been fundamental for success and the ability of future event hosting. Hockey Canada acknowledged the professionalism and abilities of Dawson Creek to host and execute their national and international tournaments which led to the City of Dawson Creek, in partnership with Spectra Venue Management, to enter an unprecedented five-year hosting agreement with Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada events include:

• 2017 U17 World Hockey Challenge
• 2018 Hockey Canada National Women’s Camp
• 2019 World Junior A Challenge
• 2021 National Women’s U18 Championship
• Para-Hockey Championship (future date)

Local facilities include:

• Encana Events Centre
• Kenn Borek Aquatic Centre: lane pool, kiddies pool with lazy river and water slide, hot tub, saunas. A 46-foot climbing wall, 13-foot free standing boulder, 13-foot cave with a 5.5ft overhang.
• Memorial Arena: 85×200 foot pad and bleacher seating of 1547, mezzanine capacity of 47, meeting room for 20 and concession.
• Kin Arena: pad size of 85×200 as well and seating capacity of 343. The meeting room will hold 100.
• Curling Rink: 8 sheets of ice totaling approximately 10,000 sq ft of dry floor space for summer and winter use. It can seat up to 880 in the upstairs meeting/banquet room with full catering available, 2 dressing rooms, projector and screen, curling equipment and 17 televisions. 
• The Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts: 4 dance studios, 1 theatre and 2 meeting rooms. Juice Five 0, an Asian fusion snack bar on site.
• Disk Golf: 13 hole- 2km walk course along the Dawson Creek and Dawson Trail.
• Golf Courses:
  • Dawson Creek Golf & Country club is an 18-hole course with driving range and clubhouse.
  • Farmington Fairways is a par 36 9-hole course with clubhouse, 56 site RV park/campground and large private group camping area.
• Skiing:
  • Bear Mountain Ski hill has a T-bar lift to 6 main runs and a terrain park. Chalet has a 60- seat lounge upstairs and 150 seats on main with kitchen and catering available.
  • Bear Mountain Nordic Ski Trails has 23 km groomed trails, 2 heated shelters and cabin.
• 4 full-size and 4 kid-size outdoor soccer fields
• 6 baseball diamonds

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Overall, event tourism is thriving in Dawson Creek, due largely in part to our easy access to state-of-the-art facilities, quality accommodations and having a strategy and a direction which has allowed us to focus on the bigger picture of differentiating Dawson Creek as the best place to invest, work, live and play. In diversifying what we have to offer, we truly believe that we are telling people that Dawson Creek is “Open for Business”!

Lisa Ward
Coordinator of Sport & Event Tourism
Tourism Dawson Creek
Spectra Venue Management
M: 250.219-3049
O: 250-795-3302
lisa@tourismdawsoncreek.com
www.tourismdawsoncreek.com
www.SpectraExperiences.com

If you would like to be the next member whose profile will be featured on the STC website, contact Barb MacDonald, Communications Consultant at bmacdonald@sporttourismcanada.com.