Two heritage buildings joined by our garden
Thanks to generous donations received from the community, the piles of rock
and construction material left after the Chapel
restoration
were removed from the site and construction of the Pemberton
Chapel Garden started in the spring of 2006. The foundations of the garden
were skillfully completed by a landscape
contractor. Pathways allow easy access to the garden for persons using walking
aids or wheelchairs.
Garden opening
Trees and
shrubs were planted according to the architect’s plans and volunteers planted
over 1000 donated perennials in the spring. On a gorgeous summer day, July 24,
2007, the beautiful garden was officially opened in a ceremony attended by
many of the donors, volunteers and VIHA staff.
Plantings reflect the
present concern for water conservation in Victoria and thus are low
maintenance and drought tolerant. The majority of the plants, trees, and shrubs were generously
donated by nurseries in Saanich and the Saanich Peninsula. Heathers and
rhododendrons were donated by the Vancouver
Island Heather and Victoria Rhododendron Societies. Families and friends,
in memory of their loved ones,
have donated benches.
Garden features
The
highlight of
our garden includes an arbour, a water fountain,
and a donor recognition feature.
This Chapel
garden
created by our
Alumnae Association will blend with the Pemberton Operating Room Garden, to be
created by the Victoria Medical Society and
with the Dr Inazo Nitobe Memorial Garden,
created by the Victoria Morioka Society. Fundraising and Volunteer maintenance
for each of the three gardens is separate and distinct but when complete, the
three areas will be known collectively as "The Royal Jubilee Heritage
Park" and will be a unified garden sanctuary.
The Alumnae
Garden committee is very grateful for the many contributions such as;
plantings, funds, gifts in kind, time and labour given by our donors, Alumnae
members and volunteers, all of which made this Garden come alive.
The Alumnae appreciates your continuing interest in our
work of
restoring and maintaining this unique heritage site. We will continue to be
stewards of the Pemberton Chapel and Garden. A volunteer gardening group
meets every two to four weeks (depending on the season) to attend to the
requirements of the garden such as planting, weeding and general maintenance.
Any one wishing to volunteer some of their time assisting us with the
gardening may contact us at:
rjhalum.president@rjhnursingalum.com or call 250-658-0012.
We hope you agree that our efforts have been worthwhile and that you have been
able to experience the tranquility of our Garden. Donations for the The
Pemberton Chapel Garden are always
appreciated
and may be sent using the donation link below.
