The District of Kitimat is gearing up for their 70th anniversary of incorporation.

The first council of Kitimat signed papers cementing them as the "The Corporation of Kitimat" on March 31, 1953.

At the time, the Aluminum Company of Canada (Alcan), was constructing their aluminum smelter, which would then need to be manned. Thus the community was constructed, with the Kitimat River separating the residency and the industry. The community was then renamed in 1970 to be the District of Kitimat.

"We define ourselves as a marvel of nature and industry," Mayor Phil Germuth said of the districts history and on-going industrial development.

Now, Kitimat is home to Rio Tinto's newly upgraded aluminum smelter, LNG Canada's liquefied natural gas facility which is expected to reach substantial completion by 2025, and the Haisla Nation's CedarLNG project which has just been approved to enter the environmental assessment phase.

Celebrations for the 70th anniversary will feature free leisure services from March 31 until April 2; a pop-up museum exhibit at the City Centre Mall on March 31 from noon until 4 p.m. with cake; and multiple activities planned throughout the year from community movie nights to community picnics.

Listen to the CFNR story with Mayor Phil Germuth below: