A few people here in Mackenzie have read my article on the website (Mackenzie BC to Baja and Back) and wanted me to ask you something. Sheila, do you think many of your readers know that Mackenzie exists? We are 183 kms, two-and-a-half hours north of Prince George, on Hwy 39. I?m not sure how many RVT readers know much about Mackenzie or have heard much of what?s gone on in Mackenzie since the recession.
Mackenzie is situated two hours north of Prince George on the shores of Williston Lake and had a population of almost 6,000 prior to the recession. It has been a one industry town ?forest industry? with seven mills. In 2007 one by one the mills started closing until all seven mills were closed by 2008. Unemployment went from about 5% to 85% almost overnight.
The town?s population has dwindled to about half of what it was. People lost their homes among other things and the town has been struggling ever since. The district office here has made great efforts to promote tourism as there are great recreational opportunities year round, with skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, as well as endless world class lakes and rivers to fish, kayak, canoe, boat on or camp at.
The town is slowly coming back to life with 1.5 mills running again. Besides being a great place to spend all vacation time in, it is great place for RVers to just visit on their trips up to the Alaska Hwy this summer. Our Mackenzie Municipal Campground and RV Park is at 10 Cicada Rd in Mackenzie, 250-997-3221, and is three minutes drive from downtown.
~ Ian Borenheim, Mackenzie, BC
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