There are a heck of a lot of interesting places and things on the Saanich Peninsula — as the PNR discovered in compiling its Seven Wonders of the Saanich Peninsula for today’s edition.
One of the more consistent themes throughout each of the seven wonders that made this list today, is the people behind the places.
There are a lot of dedicated, passionate people who have made it their mission to improve their community by working hard to ensure we have wonders to behold.
Take Kimanda Jarzebiak of The Boulders Climbing Gym. She turned a personal passion for climbing into a dream — and as she would probably say, with the help of a lot of other dedicated and visionary individuals. She recalled an emotional moment when the gym hosted its first world youth championships. It was the reaching of an ultimate goal — and for Jarzebiak, it sets into motion a whole new set of objectives.
Over at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre and B.C. Aviation Museum — two more on our list — it’s the volunteers’ dedication that makes those facilities and their community programs happen. Without them, it just would not exist and we all can be grateful they are there to help anchor what is, overall, an excellent visitor destination.
Many great people have also gone into creating places like the Butchart Gardens and Butterfly World, while the natural beauty of the Gulf Islands National Park and Sidney’s waterfront provide amazing escapes for all of us.
Readers of the PNR also weighed in on our Seven Wonders feature. Most would not let us forget that Butchart Gardens is probably the biggest tourist attraction on Vancouver Island — and a pleasant place for locals to visit as well. Other readers wanted to highlight the Aviation Museum as well, so we’re glad both of those places made our list.
Check out today’s Seven Wonders of the Saanich Peninsula to see what’s in our own backyard.
Then find out what the Seven Wonders are in Saanich, Oak Bay, Victoria and the Westshore at www.vicnews.com and on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/peninsulanewsreview.