BY MARINA SACHT
It’s been a bit over a year since new owners of Chemainus Gardens RV Resort took over the landmark campground. And what a time it’s been.
The land consists of over 34 acres of which there are six acres of gardens and three acres of ponds. The gardens had fallen into disrepair over the years and weeds grew deep. The ponds were strangled with growth and the exotic shrubs and trees that had been planted by avid gardener Doris Guilbride were struggling to exist. After years of neglect the buildings were in rough shape. Instead of tearing them down, they restored them.
Today the gardens have regained their beauty and are flourishing again under the hand of Mickey Fleming and Len Wansbrourgh.
“We took truckloads of metal, and debris to the dump,” says Wansbrourgh, project manager. “The dumping fees alone were over $20,000.
And as load after load was hauled away they unearthed the beautiful garden that was once featured in the Chemainus Garden Tour.
“The ponds have been dredged and have come back to life and are now home to frogs and baby ducks, and is a beautiful place to sit,” he says.
The landmark pavilion formerly owned by Jimmy Pattison and featured at Expo 86 is newly renovated. Because of its historic significance, they decided it was worth preserving. The pavilion now has a new roof. With washrooms, showers, pantry, and a huge kitchen, it is now heavily used by the community for weddings, anniversaries, and meetings.
Park Model. Photo: Marina Sacht
The old farmhouse has been remade into a modern office with large decks that will overlook the pool when completed. A bistro offers comfortable seating, coffee, newspapers and games and a lounge area. A light concession will be available in the future. A community garden is visible from the deck.
Chemainus Gardens RV Resort has a rich history. It was owned by the Yoshida family from 1936-1942 until they lost it during the war. It used to have a Japanese bath house.
Harold Cripps and his wife took over the property from 1947 where they raised cows and chickens. In the mid eighties it was owned by the Guilbride family. It was during this time that Doris started planting over 6.5 acres of flowers, shrubs and trees from all over the world. Buddhist monks blessed the garden.
With a history like that it was important to preserve and bring back the gardens, says Wansbrourgh.
Office and Bistro was the old farmhouse. Photo: Marina Sacht
The Park now features new park models, and has over 90 per cent of the lands dedicated to green space.
Working within the allowed land use, an opportunity was identified to accommodate long stay resort living in Park Model RV’s similar to parks in Arizona and California. The resort now provides an affordable lifestyle. Designed for 215 RV sites, it offers a pool, recreation centre and other resort amenities. It’s pet friendly and there’s even a dog park area.
“We’ll do all the maintenance, mail forwarding, water your flower pots.”
Pads rent from $405. Park models range from $79,000-120,000 with a 20 year mortgage available.
With plans over the next few years that include a pool, hot tub, potters studio, tennis court, basketball court, kids zone, gardening club, and a workshop, the work here will continue. There’s apositive environment and culture that has been created by park models owners within the park.
“The people really appreciate what has been created at Chemainus Garden, and are working together to make this community successful.We are working towards making this a 5 star resort.”
Between his busy schedule Wansbrourgh who used to camp here himself years ago, takes time to enjoy the calm of the gardens.
“Everyday is a vacation here.”
New bridges and dredged ponds now offer attractive walking trails
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