New Community Developments

Continue reading New Community Developments

Life at Royal Bay continues to grow and flourish as the community welcomes in 2022. There is a lot to celebrate and look forward to.

Our community members enjoy the ebb and flow of life on the temperate West Coast of southern Vancouver Island. Many of the milestones accomplished in 2021 will enrich everyday life at Royal Bay in the city of Colwood for years to come.

Aerial Views of Royal Bay

2020 – November

2021 – November

New Playground and Greenways

The Meadow Park playground has already become a favourite spot for children, friends, and family to gather, and a new trail connecting Meadow Park to Murray’s Pond Park will soon offer another opportunity to enjoy the neighbourhood’s natural features and mountain views. Completion of Murray’s Pond Park is anticipated by the end of this year.

The nature-based playground made from sustainably harvested timber and crafted locally on Vancouver Island by Kinsol Timber includes a tower slide with a suspension bridge, ziplines, swings, a toddler slide, and log climber. Nature-based play encourages children to use their imaginations while burning off energy with neighbourhood friends after school and on weekends outside in the fresh sea air. Accessible picnic tables and benches in the park and on surrounding pathways provide ample space for residents to socialize and gather for special occasions or daily outings steps away from their front door.

The opening of Meadow Park Green (featured image on top) beside the playground brought the Royal Bay and Colwood community together for fun and games on a beautiful sunny day. The addition of public washrooms that are wheelchair accessible, which are slated to open this year, will further enhance the use and enjoyment of the park for residents and guests.

The multi-use pedestrian and cycle track has been extended along Ryder Hesjedal Way, which will connect to the Painter Road Trail switchback and offers yet another safe and accessible recreational option for our families.

Applegate Trail Connects Mountain Communities to Beaches on the West Shore

Other developments include the completion of Applegate Trail, which opened in December for all Westshore residents to enjoy. Access to the trail is available from Wishart Road and connects to Painter Trail and beyond. The trail is part of the city of Colwood’s “mountain to beaches” access plan.

Colwood Mayor, Rob Martin, council members and staff were on hand for the grand opening. We know everyone will enjoy our new community addition.

Metchosin Road upgrades were also completed in 2021 extending the bike lane and adding new sidewalks and lighting that have improved the flow of transportation for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Work will begin on a signalized intersection at Latoria Boulevard and Metchosin Road this Spring.

New Sign Celebrates Emily Carr and Her Painting “Above The Gravel Pit”

We were proud to support The Arts and Culture Colwood Society as they hosted activities in Royal Bay throughout 2021 including the Disney Flatdeck Musical Theatre production performed by Four Seasons Musical Theatre and the Fall Art Show featuring ten local artists exhibiting their work.

A new sign celebrating the works of Emily Carr was installed on Painter Trailer, having been created by the Arts and Culture Colwood Society via the Create Spaces Colwood Grant with support from GableCraft Homes, and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. The sign features the 1937 painting “Above the Gravel Pit” and was unveiled in June 2021. A particularly famous and beloved artist, Emily Carr visited many sites on southern Vancouver Island, from the Gorge Waterway to Port Renfrew where the rainforest meets the sea. In her day, the Westshore was a popular destination for Victorians. Emily painted many extraordinary and ordinary sites including the former Gravel Pit at Royal Bay. 

The Commons Retail Village Breaks Ground

In July 2021, PCRE Group broke ground on The Commons Retail Village with help from our anchor tenants, Quality Foods and Cascadia Liquor, and underground servicing began. Construction is now underway and slated for completion in 2023.

Stay tuned to Tideline News for updates on our community and for information about the other trails and parks being built in Royal Bay.