Colwood, British Columbia

City of Colwood
—  City  —
Location of Colwood in British Columbia
Coordinates: 48°25′25″N 123°29′45″W / 48.42361°N 123.49583°W / 48.42361; -123.49583Coordinates: 48°25′25″N 123°29′45″W / 48.42361°N 123.49583°W / 48.42361; -123.49583
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Region	Vancouver Island
Regional district	Capital Regional District
Incorporated	1985
Government
– Governing body	Colwood City Council
– Mayor	(David Saunders)
Area
– City	17.76 km2 (6.9 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (262 ft)
Population (2006)
– City	14,687
– Metro	330,088 (15th)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
Highways	1A, 14
Waterways	Strait of Juan de Fuca
Website	City of Colwood

Colwood is a city located on Vancouver Island to the southwest of Victoria, capital of British Columbia. Colwood was incorporated in 1985 and has a population of approximately 15,000 people. Colwood lies within the boundaries of the Victoria Census Metropolitan area or Capital Regional District, in a region called the Western Communities, or the West Shore. It is one of the 13 component municipalities of Greater Victoria.

Colwood's best known landmark is Hatley Castle, a Tudor Revival mansion and grounds originally built as a residence for James Dunsmuir, Premier and later Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Colwood almost became the seat of the Commonwealth Crown in 1940, when, after the start of World War II, the government planned to relocate King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and their children, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, to the castle for protection. ^[1] But they decided to stay in London and Windsor, near the European front. The government transferred the estate to the Canadian Armed Forces. It adapted the site for use as Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility from 1941-mid-1990s. The military college was closed in the 1990s, and the estate is now the campus of the public Royal Roads University, which opened in 1995. The original residence is surrounded by extensive formal gardens, including a featured Japanese garden.

The city has many regional amenities, including the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Bear Mountain Arena, and the library facilities for the Western Communities. As it lies geographically to the south of Victoria, Colwood is western Canada's southernmost city.

Neighbourhoods of Colwood

• Belmont Park
• Colwood Corners
• Esquimalt Lagoon
• Hatley Park
• Royal Roads
• Triangle Mountain
• Royal Bay
• Latoria Walk

Demographics

Colwood had a population of 14,687 people in 2006, which was an increase of 6.9% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Colwood was $68,798, which is above the British Columbia provincial average of $52,709.^[2]

Education

Colwood is a part of the School District 62 Sooke. There are five elementary schools: John Stubbs (in Belmont Park),Colwood, David Cameron, Sangster, and Wishart. There are two middle schools: Dunsmuir and John Stubbs Memorial. There is also one private elementary and middle school called Light House Christian Academy.

References

1. ^ "Speech by Iona Campolo, Retired Heads of Mission Association's Gala Dinner", Royal Roads University, Hatley Castle, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 5 February 2007]
2. ^ "Colwood, British Columbia - Detailed City Profile". http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5917041&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Colwood&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 

External links

• City of Colwood