The District Office

The Fort St. James District Office is, according to Ministry rumour, one of the nicest locations in the
province. And on a sunny fall day, with the sun glinting off the lake, it’s hard to imagine a nicer place to work.

The office sits right on the shore of Stuart Lake, overlooking the town and across to the beaches along Sowchea Road. Most staff share window views of either the lake out in front, or Mount Pope to the rear of the building. On sunny days it’s hard not to sneak a few moments to gaze out at the mallards and loons swimming in the afternoon sun, or to watch the bald eagles soaring around the cliffs on the mountain. Summer or winter, the views from the Forest Service office can’t be beat.

63 staff members currently carry out the daily operations of the Fort St. James Forest District. There are staff members from almost every province and territory in this country, as well as many others who have grown up and remained in this, their home community.

The office has its own warehouse and technical staff, and is equipped with up-to-date field technology. Work trucks, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles are maintained and assigned for field work (that’s right: snowmobiles and ATV’s. And how do you feel about snowshoes? They are regulation issue.)

This district is one of the few interior offices in the province to have a fleet (in this case, five boats). The office also boasts one of the better personnel to computer ratios, and has a full service drafting department.

The present-day office was opened in 1986, with an impressive new addition completed in 1996. The office compound also includes a warehouse, cache and storage facilities.

Office facilities aren’t restricted to the community of Fort St. James. There are accomodations at Leo Creek and Lovell Cove for Ministry staff when working in the field. When staff travel to Minaret, in the far northern end of the district, they stay at a local lodge or industrial camp.

This is an office that works hard - and plays hard together. The recreation committee organizes a number of activities throughouth the year, including a Christmas party (and a visit from Santa for the kids!), a Chili Bake-Off, the curling Funspiel and the Regional Funspiel, a summer golf tournament, the Summer Solstice BBQ, and whatever other activities are felt to be needed as the work year progresses. The office also organizes teams in recreational ball, curling and other organized sporting activities in the town.

 But there is always that great view, come Friday afternoon, when the sun is shining and the iceboats are scooting out across the ice. When that sun shines, no matter what the time of year, a window view onto Stuart Lake can’t be beat.