Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District (CRD) has purchased the former Royal Oak Golf Course – a 10.92-hectare (27 acre) parcel of land adjacent to Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park in the District of Saanich.

“Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is one of the most beloved and popular parks in the region and provides a much-needed near-urban natural recreation space for CRD residents and visitors alike,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair. “Acquiring a parcel of this size adjacent to such a popular park is extremely welcome news and creates new opportunities to protect valuable green space and explore future potential uses for the land.”

The new parcel, which was purchased for $8.5 million, is adjacent to the southeast boundary of Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park and includes existing connector trails between Saanich Commonwealth Place and Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. The land shows ecological restoration potential and is also located within a critical habitat zone for the barn owl (Tyto alba). Through ecological restoration, the landscape could potentially support a wider diversity of species.

The CRD's boundaries span the traditional territories of many First Nations, whose ancestors have been caretakers of these lands since time immemorial. The CRD is having active discussions with local First Nations on the future of this property.

In the spirit and practice of reconciliation, the CRD will continue to collaborate with local First Nations to determine appropriate actions in regional parks and trails that respect Indigenous rights, uplift Indigenous governance and strengthen government-to-government relationships.

Now that the land has been purchased, a park values inventory (cultural, environmental, recreation) will be undertaken, and an Interim Management Guideline will be prepared to guide decisions until the development of a long-term management plan is undertaken which will include a full public engagement on future land uses and relationship with Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.

Acquisition of the former Royal Oak Golf Course fits within the strategic priorities identified in the Regional Parks & Trails Strategic Plan 2022-2032, including prioritizing environmental conservation, enhancing the visitor experience, increasing the accessibility and equity benefits of regional parks, prioritizing First Nations reconciliation, and addressing climate action and resiliency throughout the CRD Regional Parks system.

The CRD has provided a regional parks service since 1966. Since then, the regional parks system has grown to include 33 regional parks and four regional trails, comprising over 13,300 hectares of land.

Regional park land acquisition is guided by the CRD's Regional Parks Land Acquisition Strategy which identifies guiding principles and criteria for selecting desirable parcels of land to purchase as regional park. With the support of partners, the CRD has acquired nearly 5,000 hectares of land since 2000. The Land Acquisition Strategy will be updated in 2024 to reflect the priorities identified in the Regional Parks & Trails Strategic Plan 2022-2032.

For more information on Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-trails/find-park-trail/elk-beaver-lake.

Link:  Acquisition Area Map (PDF)

The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

-30-