Tumbler Ridge applies to get small town boost on HGTV show

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — The District of Tumbler Ridge has thrown its name into the running to be featured on an HGTV production. 

The district has applied to be on the upcoming show Home Town Takeover Canada, a reality series that spotlights a small town in need of a revitalization boost.

The district submitted a video on October 31st through its Visit Tumbler Ridge YouTube channel, showcasing the town’s spirit, natural beauty and residents’ passion for community improvement.

The video features several local voices, including Mayor Darryl Krakowka, municipal staff, business owners and long-time residents.

“The district has done a lot of work over the last couple of years in trying to revitalize the downtown core,” said Jason Bradley, Tumbler Ridge’s director of operations and infrastructure.

“But the Roman Walkway has deteriorated to a point where we need further restoration. This is where we hold events. This is where people congregate, and it’s not really that presentable.”

Others in the video emphasized the strong sense of connection among residents.

“I don’t think we have residents, I believe we have [a] family,” said Mayor Krakowka. “When new residents move to our community, our family comes together with open arms and welcomes [them].”

Tumbler Ridge’s submission also highlights the town’s distinction as the only UNESCO Global Geopark in western Canada, known for its dinosaur fossils and vast outdoor recreation opportunities.

“It’s the best place in the world to live,” said Charles Helm, a longtime resident, paleontologist and semi-retired family physician. 

“People ask, ‘now that you’ve retired from medicine, are you going to move?’ No, why would we want to move?”

HGTV’s Home Town Takeover Canada, an expansion of the popular American series, will “shine a light on a Canadian small town facing real challenges and give it the boost it needs to get back on its feet,” according to a September press release from Rogers, which owns the channel.

Communities with fewer than 20,000 residents were invited to apply for the first season, set to begin production in 2026 and air between late 2026 and early 2027.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality also recently submitted an application. Municipal leaders there called the opportunity a “great economic driver” and a way to attract new residents.