Andrew Thompson

The name Kamloops comes from the native word Tk'emlups which means "where the waters meet". Kamloops is situated at junction of the North and South Thompson rivers, Canada's two main railways, and BC's four major highways. Home to approximately 90,000 people, Kamloops has invested $50 million dollars in sports facilities to become the Tournament Capital of Canada.

Kamloops has more sunny days than anywhere else in Canada. The long hot summers make Kamloops ideal for outdoor recreation. The Ranch (mountain bike park), Kamloops skate park, Kenna Cartright park hiking trails are just a few of the options available.

Brocklehurst

Brocklehurst is on the western end of the north shore. A large flat area that was once predominately orchards and fields, it is now almost completely subdivided. Most of the building was done in the 1960's and 70's on large lots. Some of these lots are now being subdivided, so there is some new construction in amongst the old. There is an area of condominiums and apartments along Tranquille Road close to the shopping center.

The land is flat and fertile, if growing tomatoes and peaches is important to you, then Brocklehurst is the place to live.

There is one main shopping center in the area, a rec center with ice rink, pool, and playing fields, and the Kamloops Golf Course. Parts of Brocklehurst are adjacent to McArthur Island and all the facilities there. Three elementary schools and one High School service the area. The Kamloops Airport is located at the far end of ‘Brock'. If you follow the road past the airport you pass AFR land that could be prime development years from now. There was just a permit allowed to allow RV parking on a trial basis in this area (2011). Kamloops lake is at the end of Brock and it is a beautiful lake for skiing and fishing. Brocklehurst is the perfect place to raise a family, with its quiet streets, large yards and affordable housing.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is the area south of the transcanada highway and west of the old merritt highway. This area is the highest in elevation in town. This can be pleasant in summer, but be aware that spring is a month later and fall a few weeks earlier than it is on the valley floor. The views from many of the aberdeen properties is spactacular - on a clear day you feel like you can see all the way up the North Thompson to Clearwater.

Aberdeen is still moving slowly up the hill towards Knutsford with a lot of new construction above Aberdeen Drive. Many of Kamloops' most expensive homes are in this area.

It is just a short drive down the hill to the restaurants and shops of Sahali and to the Thompson Rivers University. Aberdeen Hills Golf Course is nestled amongst the houses off Pacific Way. There are two elementary schools in the area, Aberdeen Elementary and Pacific Way elementary. High School Students have to go down the hill.

Barnhartvale

Barnhartvale has a rural feel to it, it is a twenty minute drive from town. The lots are large, many of several acres. Many residence of Barnhartvale have horses.

Situated atop the silt hills above Dallas this area is reached by turning south off of the Transcanada highway at Dallas Drive. Some of the homes have spectaular views of the Thompson Valley.

There are few amenities in Barnhartvale, just one corner store. There is one elementary school, R.L. Clemetson. The high school students go to Valleyview Elementary.
Eagle Point Golf Course is just a five minute drive down the Barnhartvale Rd.

Dallas

Dallas is a small area of Kamloops just east of Valleyview. Condensed on the flat land between the river and the base of the hills this area has both the CPR mainline and the Transcanada Highway traversing its center.

There are wonderful waterfront homes on the river side of the corridor and subdivisions, many of them newer homes, on the hill side. Dallas elementary serves the younger school children, the high school students attend Valleyview Secondary. Dallas is just an easy 10 minute commute to downtown Kamloops.

Juniper Ridge

The subdivision of Juniper Ridge is located at the end of highland drive, in the hills above Valleyview. The subdivison was born in the 1970s and it is still expanding today into the pine covered hills. Being slightly isolated from other areas, this subdivision has a close and friendly community feel to it.

Juniper Ridge has one elementary school - the high school students attend Valleyview Secondary. The Kamloops Bike Ranch is located at the entrance to Juniper Ridge. This 26 hectare park is dedicated to trails and jumps for mountain bikers. There are no ammenities in this subdivision, but Valleyview is just 10 minutes away.

Westsyde

Westsyde is situated on the North Shore, on the western shore of the North Thompson River. It is a 25 minute commute to downtown or Sahali. Because it is seperated from the town proper by a drive up the river, Westsyde has a small community feel to it. It has one elementary school and one High School. There is one small shopping center with a large grocery store. The Dunes golf course, the Westsyde indoor pool, and many playing fields offer recreational choices.

Most of the homes are 20-40 years old with large flat lots, but many of the larger lots and fields are now being infilled and new homes built on smaller lots. Many large executive-style homes line the bank of the North Thompson River. There are several mobile home parks in the area as well as a few condominium complexes. This is also a fairly new seniors' complex which provides good paying jobs and the aging baby booming generation to the Kamloops area.

Westmount

Westmount is located just outside of the northshore area. This subarea of Kamloops is one of the smallest areas in Kamloops.  Westmount is located close to the North Thompson river, parks and a great elementary school that services not just Westmount but Bachelor Heights as well.  

 North Kamloops

North Kamloops was the site of the original fur trading post, and has been settled for a long time. At one time it was an incorporated community in its own right. The houses range in age from very old to brand new. The business core along Tranquille Road consists of many small stores and restaurants and several malls. There are many elementary schools and one high school in the area.

The land is flat, making getting around easy. MacArther Island Park is located in North Kamloops. This island in the Thompson River is home to a par 3 golf course, skating and curling rinks, soccor and baseball fields a BMX track, and walking and biking trails. Two bridges, the Overlander and the Halston, make access to the south shore easy.

Sahali

When Kamloops first began developing up the hill in the 1960s- having exhausted all the flat land on the valley floor, Sahali was created. At that time the only thing there was the landfill, on the site where the Real Canadian Superstore now sits.

Now the area has a large retail section, several malls, the Thompson Rivers University, and a large light industrial area. All types of housing are available in Sahali. There are many apartments, townhouses, and duplexes as well as houses of very type. Many of the homes have excellent views of the Valley. The area is very popular with students of TRU so prices in this area are usually higher than similar houses in other areas of town.

There are several good elementary schools in the area as well as Sahali Secondary School. The Kamloops Aquatic center is also close by and the Royal Inland Hospital is just down the hill.

South Kamloops

This is the oldest area of Kamloops. Settlement began along the CNR and CPR tracks, both of which converge in this area. The land slopes gently from the Thompson River to the base of the surrounding hills. Many old homes, dating from the early 1900's are in this area - character homes with high ceilings and lots of wood. Sidewalks and many mature trees line the streets. In the last few years many of these homes have been renovated, the kitchens and baths updated, and the original wood floors rejuvenated. As you get farther from the river and closer to the base of the hills, the homes are mostly 1960's and ‘70's style.

There are many apartments and condominiums downtown where many professionals live to be close to work and to the Kamloops night life. There are also several seniors' oriented complexes where seniors choose to be close to shopping, the theaters, the library, the casino, and the Blazers hockey games at Interior Savings Convention Center. Two seniors' complexes very close to downtown offer assisted living for those who require some home care. The area is serviced by two elementary schools and one secondary school.

Southgate and Dufferin

Located in the southwest corner of Kamloops, Dufferin is a subdivision wrapped around the base of Mount Dufferin. There is a lot of new house construction in this area at the west end of the subdivion, along the edge of Kenna Cartwright Park. The park is popular with hikers and dog-walkers, as it has 40 km of trails.

Southgate is the industrial park on the south edge of the highway as you leave town. Behind it is the new Pine Valley subdivion. This is an area of modular homes, strata developments and new houses. It is a very short drive to the many stores and restauants of Sahali. Dufferin elementary is the only school in the area.

Valleyview

Valleyview extends east along the Thompson River Valley. The long narrow strip of land between the river and the hills is characterized by homes built in the 60s and ‘70's with large flat lots. The land is fertile and many homes are beautifully landscaped with fruit trees. Some of these large lots are now being subdivided and new homes built.

Access from Valleyview is easy; it is just minutes from downtown and a short ride up the connector to the shopping in Sahali. For this reason, and because the area is almost completely built up, houses in Valleyview are inclined to be higher in price than a similar house in other areas of town.

Ralph Bell elementary school and Valleyview Secondary School serve the Valleyview area. Local shopping in Valleyview consists of businesses and strip malls lining the highway. There is a large Coopers grocery store as well as numerous small shops and restaurants. Many motels and fast food chains service the traffic from the Transcanada Highway. Valleyview can boast several playing fields, and outdoor rink, and an indoor rink.