HEL,HILEȻ

HEL,HILEȻ is a community park in the heart of Brentwood Bay. With rolling lawns and park benches, this is a great spot to enjoy an outdoor lunch, read a book or just take in the sights and sounds of the village. A stroll through the park in the spring offers visitors a stunning display of rhododendrons. Each summer, the Brentwood Bay Festival and Music-In-The-Park events are held here, and are popular with residents and visitors alike. At a Council meeting on September 25, 2023, Central Saanich Council approved a request from W̱SÁNEĆ youth to rename Pioneer Park to HEL,HILEȻ (pronounced hul-he-look). The students chose HEL,HILEȻ as it means "place of gladness" in the SENĆOŦEN language. This park has a long history, which included it being donated to the Municipality by the Sluggett and Stellys families for a schoolhouse in 1880. West Saanich School, built in 1908, remains a prominent feature in the park, and is the oldest school house on its original foundation on the Saanich Peninsula. In recent years, restoration of this structure has been undertaken to ensure its continued service as a community hall.

Publications

no publications