by Jamila Douhaibi | photo by James Dies –
In the heart of Saanichton, surrounded by the ocean, farms and fields, is the Saanichton Village Association (SVA) and the work that they do throughout the year to keep their community vibrant. A non-profit society that started on August 31, 2007, the SVA puts on social events and projects to engage residents and bring them together. Read more about this great organization and how you can support them through becoming a member and attending events.
Nik Burton, the secretary of the association, says that the mission of the group is to “enhance the friendly community and supportive ‘village’ environment of Saanichton.” The District of Central Saanich has great amenities, while also being surrounded by farms and parks, so bringing people together is important not only to gather and interact, but also to showcase the businesses and services that this area offers. Nik says the location is ideal for its proximity to the ferry and airport, but “most of all, there is a great community spirit here.”
One of the Saanichton Village Association’s first initiatives was a knitting group that has continued to meet regularly, now through the Saanichton Pioneer Museum. Participants share crafting supplies, recipes and knowledge, and knitting isn’t the only thing on the menu. Spinning, quilting, crocheting, felting and other crafts continue to be enjoyed by the attendees.
The SVA is also responsible for the beautiful welcoming totem poles at each main street entrance to Saanichton. The first totem on East Saanich Road was erected in 2012 and carved by Doug LaFortune from the Tsawout Nation, a renowned Coast Salish artist. Another of the five totem poles was carved by Doug and his son Bear, and can be found on Mt. Newton Cross Road. The SVA sees these totems as important ways to honour and acknowledge the connection between the village and the local First Nations people.
The group always has projects on the go, as well as their bigger annual events. The Saanichton Community Supper takes place in early March, there are free outdoor movies at the fairgrounds in August, and the Community Christmas is in December. This year’s 20th Annual Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 7 and Nik says the “Christmas stuffies will ride again.”
The SVA is also responsible for the Bike’n’Ride oasis on Lisnoe Avenue, which was a five-year community collaboration. The goal for the Bike’n’Ride is to provide a facility to encourage residents to bike to the village to shop, as well as to have a central area to hop on a bus. The space includes a small bike storage locker, bike charging station, repair tools and a sheltered bike canopy.
Because the SVA is a membership organization for Saanichton residents, they encourage everyone in the area to join the organization, volunteer and even become a board member. Nik says the “most important thing is for residents to get out and be part of the community,” and that the SVA’s work to make the community better is “literally what we were founded to do.” As a small non-profit, the volunteers that run the society know that it’s the community, along with the support from the District of Central Saanich and Saanichton businesses, that inspire and implement the projects and events the organization is able to do each year. For nearly two decades the SVA has been improving their community, and they look forward to continuing to see the society grow bigger, with more members and events, each year.
To find out more about the Saanichton Village Association and upcoming events visit: www.saanichtonvillage.com.
