Visiting Gabriola this Summer…

Descanso Bay Regional Park - Campground
Gabriola offers a diverse opportunity of accommodations for visitors to the island, a summer time favorite is Gabriola’s Descanso Bay Regional Park campground.

This scenic sea-side campground is just a short distance, approximately 1 km, from the ferry terminal at Descanso Bay and is located at 595 Taylor Bay Road, Gabriola Island. The stunning 40 acre waterfront property has three bays with natural sandy pockets & sculpted sandstone beaches, offers 32 camp sites and is open year round. Islanders as well as tourists frequent the campground because of all its appeal to kayakers, picnickers, campers, hikers, beachcombers, swimmers to participate in outdoor recreation while balancing the camping experience offered by its tranquil surroundings.

This Regional Park is adjacent to Cox Community Park which offers over 100 acres of trails for pedestrians & cyclists, through a well established forest setting.

Gabriola Island attracts visitors from Vancouver Island, the rest of BC, elsewhere in Canada and other parts of the world, so you may want to make a reservation at #250-247-8255, if you’re planning a summer time getaway, as its prime season.

Something out of this WORLD

Something out of this world, is happening this weekend (feb 19/20/21)at Jupiter Ranch (http://www.jupiterranch.com/) on Gabriola Island. While this island is renowned for the number of artists it attracts, Sylvie Milman, the owner of the Jupiter Ranch B&B, is keeping the arts community on its toes.


Bringing in new inspiration and opening her beautiful studio as a classroom, she has a guest artist Dominik Modlinski here to teach beginner and intermediate painters who wish to expand their knowledge of acrylic painting techniques while enhancing their perception and creative visualization. Dominik will introduce colour exercises based on three primary colours and white to introduce students to colour mixing and achieving unlimited colour harmonies. Randi is signed up to attend, and we're hoping to see some colorful canvases at the end of the weekend. Sumbitted by Tina Lynch.

Madrona Marketplace - New Retail Development

Intrascape Developments is pleased to offer an opportunity to lease retail premises in the village of Gabriola Island at Madrona Marketplace - East. This will be Gabriola Island's newest retail development at 520 North Road. Madrona Marketplace - East (Phase 2) will include six units ranging from 1000 sqft to 2600 sqft, with potential of combining units for custom sizes and will be available for occupancy in the Fall of 2009. Phase 1 will be located on the property's east end at the juncture between North & South Road. Phase two of Madrona Marketplace will feature an additional 21,500 square feet of retail space ranging from 1000 square feet to 6,000 square feet in 12 units. Madrona Marketplace East & West will stand as the centerpiece of the North & South Road confluence, evolving as Gabriola Island's newly defined vibrant ton center.

Set in a phenomenal location, will stand this contemporary, West Coast development that will provide a special opportunity for a select group of retailers to serve the needs of a growing local population, tourists, visitors and workers alike in a stunning development. In return Gabriola will benefit from increased services and a dynamic, exciting and professional retail acumen. Madrona Marketplace will feature West Coast architecture using natural materials and colors, aside pedestrian friendly covered walkways, arbours and a center courtyard that will serve as a point of gathering, shopping and community pride.

When completed, Madrona Marketplace East & West will be home to more than 33,000 square feet of unique retail space. For additional information on this exciting retail opportunity contact Chris Hock of Intrascape Developments at #250.739.0330.

Gabriola Garden Homes

The Gabriola Garden Homes provide an opportunity for seniors to continue living on the island without the up keep of a home & yard,a condominium style of living and a real sense of family.

It was a wonderful home for our Great Aunt Gudrun, who moved to the island at 90 years of age. She was so glad to have called this home, and wondered why she had waited so long to make the move!

Yesterday, we wanted to go and visit our old time neighbor who moved into the Garden Homes shortly after it opened in August of 2000. Hilda was one of the first occupants in this seniors housing project which has 24 units and some great common rooms.

We wanted to find out what some of the residents liked best about the Garden Homes, "there is still lots to keep you busy here, with soup lunches from Suzy’s, Saturday night movies, a workshop, garden areas and even an exercise group that meets three times a week." At 90 years old, Hilda sees her neighbours as family, they celebrate together, grieve together and support each other.

The building is wheel chair accessible and has a generator to keep a few lights on and the fridges plugged in if there is a power outage. The complex is situated on almost 10 acres, surrounded with trees, ponds, trails and beautiful gardens.

They have companionship here and a lot of laughs, the only catch is that one of you needs to be 60 to live here (that means I have 27 years to go).

Gabriola Island Rentals…

Gabriola Island, has nearly a 0% vacancy rate, rentals are hard to come by, when it comes to year round rentals… However, in the past few months there has been an increase in the rentals currently available on the island - which is good news to tenants seeking rental accommodations on the island.

In comparison to Nanaimo, the rental rates on the island seem to offer far more for tenants, in the size of properties, potential for gardens, the wide variety of styles of homes, and the rental rates. For tenants seeking accommodations the best place to search for available homes is in the classified section of the Sounder, the Rental tab on www.coastrealty.com , the bulletin boards around the island, as well as local islanders (who may know of some).

An example of a rental that is currently available on the island is… South end character home (wood floors & slate tile) of 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. A detached studio ideal for artists, and detached garage. Walking distance to the beach & Degnen Bay. Fenced in garden area with raised beds. (No pets/no smokers), references required $1,000/mo.

For home owners, there are property management agencies available to hand the rental aspects of the property, should you not want to handle it on your own. Brenda Gilroy of Coast Realty offers property management services for Gabriola, and can be contacted through the Nanaimo office at #250-758-7653. The typical tenants for the island may include; young families, daily commuters to Nanaimo, Boat Building School students, & Timber Frame School students, Retirees, and trades people, to give some examples.

In regards to short term rentals, of less than 30 days, also known as Vacation rentals, these are permitted on Gabriola but only if a temporary use permit is obtained. The temporary use permit involves an application to the Islands Trust with a fair amount of information required and an $800.00 application fee. There is no guarantees that a permit will be granted. The islands trust also does due diligence in looking through the area of how many are already in existence, if there are concerns of any neighbors, septic, water capabilities, and so much more. Because of the time line for going through the full application process, one would not be able to make this a condition of purchase, so you would be purchasing a property with no guarantees of receiving the permit. Mostly the vacation rentals tend to be centered around waterfront properties & or properties with relatively easy beach accesses, although the companies sometimes take on other homes that fit additional criteria.

Friday Night…

A great venue for Friday evenings on Gabriola is the Surf Lodge. With the new menu both tourists & locals alike are attracted to enjoy all the tempting treats. Or enjoy the Friday night summer feature of a Burger & a Beer on the newly licensed front lawn/patio. The gorgeous setting is situated on what neighbours refer to as Gabriola’s magic mile, and encompasses the panoramic ocean views and spectacular summer sunsets.

Tonight after work we headed down there to take in the setting, in honour of a good friend & colleague who passed away. Even though the years pass by, we remember her & think about her often, she was a mentor & an inspiration to many of the lives she touched.

It was great to see so many people out on a Friday night, and everyone coming together to enjoy the company of friends, good food, very friendly staff & this amazing setting!

If your on the island this summer & looking for breathtaking island scenery & delicious menu try the Surf Lodge. With their newly refinished accommodations you may want to book ahead and make a weekend of it!