Pitt Meadows

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
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flag_size =125px
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shield_size =75px
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = British Columbia
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Don MacLean
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = April 23, 1914
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area_total_km2 = 85.37
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
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website =http://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/
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Pitt Meadows is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada and a member municipality in Metro Vancouver. Incorporated in 1914, it has a land area of 85.38 square kilometers and a population of Pitt Meadows was approximately 16,757 [ [http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/dd/facsheet/cf184.pdf Pitt Meadows Community Facts ] ] .

Geography

Pitt Meadows is largely a flood plain town, sandwiched between the Pitt River on the west and Maple Ridge on the east. To the north, Pitt Lake is the largest fresh water tidal lake in the world, connected by the Pitt River to the Fraser River, which is the southern boundary of Pitt Meadows. The Pitt River flows backwards at high tide and has created a delta where it joins the lake.The northern sector of the flood plain, closest to Pitt Lake, is largely a peat bog including a large wildlife refuge.

On the west side of the Pitt River is Port Coquitlam.

Transportation

The main portion of the town of Pitt Meadows is bisected by the CPR mainline. As of 2003, the CPR intermodal yards and distribution centre west of the town centre are being expanded.

TransLink's West Coast Express commuter trains connect Pitt Meadows to Vancouver and Mission.

There are height restrictions on buildings due to the proximity of the Pitt Meadows Airport to the southeast, although the recent proposal for a 10 story building less than 2 kilometers from the East-West runways puts those restrictions in doubt. In 2003, the airport was undergoing expansion to support scheduled passenger service for short-haul prop-driven planes. The airport is also home to a skydiving school, as well as a number of other businesses.

Construction of the Golden Ears Bridge has started in Pitt Meadows.

Construction of the new Pitt River Bridge has started in Pitt Meadows.

Economy

As a primarily residential area, approximately 85% of Pitt Meadows residents commute to work beyond its borders [http://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/assets/Economic%7EDevelopment/CommunityProfile.pdf] . Within the community, the largest employment sectors are, in order of importance: Primary (20%); Education and Health (19%); Accommodation, Food, and Beverage (16%); and Construction (9%).

In addition to the commercial activity that already exists in Pitt Meadows, a new retail shopping centre has been built on the border with Maple Ridge. This new shopping center includes a Real Canadian Superstore, Jysk/Winners/Homesense, Michaels, SportChek, Blenz Coffee, a Telus retailer, as well as Bell, EB Games, a new Liquor Store, and a Cineplex Odeon. Despite recent additions to its non-agricultural economy, 86% of the Pitt Meadows landmass is located within the province's Agricultural Land Reserve. This market intervention prohibits further economic development and diversification, increases housing and land prices for residents, and lower land values for farmers.

Major agricultural products include cranberry and blueberry farms as well as a number of specialty green-houses growing things like cut-flowers and specialty peppers.

Education

Pitt Meadows has one secondary school, and four elementary schools, all of which are part of School District 42. Pitt Meadows Secondary School (P.M.S.S.) in particular is well-known around the Fraser Valley and the Greater Vancouver Area for its basketball and hockey programs, some of which can be offered as an alternative to Physical Education. The school also received a field lacrosse team as of early March 2007 for the 2007-2008 season thanks to Mr. Stuart Sonne, PMSS now former Principal. Academically, the school rates more poorly than other schools in the District. Currently, the school has enrolled around 1200 students.

Trivia

*Canadian Country Music Hall of Famer Elmer Tippe is a Pitt Meadows residentFact|date=February 2007.
*Anaheim Ducks star Brendan Morrison is from Pitt Meadows; he also won the gold medal at the 2004 Hockey World Championships.
*Much of the movie Happy Gilmore, including most of the golf course scenes, was filmed in Pitt Meadows. [http://www.hicelebs.com/movies/happy_gilmore/trivia.html Happy Gilmore trivia] ]
*Musician Devin Townsend currently resides in Pitt Meadows. [http://www.hevydevy.com/hdr_mainpage.html HevyDevy Records, Inc. “Devin Townsend Biography”] ]
*In the pilot episode of Smallville, the scene where the Porsche drives off the bridge was filmed at Silverbridge down Harris Road. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallville_%28TV_series%29] ]
*The movie Duets starring Michael Buble & Paul Giamatti had a scene filmed at the Ramada Inn on Lougheed Highway. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duets] ]
*The movie 3000 Miles to Graceland was filmed at the "old" saw mill (no longer there) down Bonson Rd. where all the new waterfront townhouses are. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3000_Miles_To_Graceland] ]

References

urrounding municipalities

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
Northwest = Coquitlam|
North =
Northeast =
West = Port Coquitlam
Centre = Pitt Meadows
East = Maple Ridge
Southwest = Surrey
South = Barnston Island,
Surrey|
Southeast = Langley Township|