Growing up in Powell River, Lyle Harrison loved being outdoors.
“I spent a lot of time hiking and going boating up Powell Lake was always a favourite of mine,” he said.
Since returning to his hometown in January, enjoying these activities is something he’s most looking forward to.
Not long after graduating from Brooks Secondary School in 2003, Harrison moved to Victoria and began his education at Camosun College, eventually completing a degree in English from University of Victoria.
“Then I started looking for work in the public sector in Victoria, and it was an uphill battle,” said Harrison. “There are a lot of public sector jobs but you need to be already in the public sector to get them.”
He spent the next 15 years bartending and working in corporate management for the hospitality industry in Victoria. When he originally considered returning to Powell River, he planned to come for a short time, but was pleasantly surprised to discover employment opportunities here that fit his skill set.
“Originally I had planned on just coming back for a bit, but I found looking in the labour market that there were some good jobs here,” he said.
Not long after returning he found a role in business administration.
“So I figured I might as well stay, and it’s a beautiful place to be,” he added.
Harrison said he originally left Powell River because there were few well-paying jobs here at that time.
“What happened for me is what happens for a lot of people,” he said. “When I graduated high school here I found that there weren’t many opportunities unless you worked at the mill, especially without an education. You move away and you find out that it’s kind of the same all over. A lot of labour markets are strained right now. It’s quite tough to find a workforce that is reliable because so many industries just don’t pay people a living wage.”
Since returning, Harrison said he is happy to see the town welcoming many newcomers and a sense of renewed energy.
“I’m excited to see the community expanding a little bit with people moving up from the Lower Mainland and the island,” he said. “It may be a sign they’re getting priced out of those communities, but in that sense this community thrives more.”
Harrison is enjoying reconnecting with old friends and family and hopes to get into the real estate market here in the near future. Overall, he said he is optimistic to build a future for himself in the place where he was born and raised.
“There’s a certain level of serenity that comes with coming back,” he said, “and seeing all the things you thought you’d find elsewhere you can find right here.”
