Courtenay

If glass office towers and rapid transit packed with suit-and-tie commuters are signs of a working environment, groomed golf courses and revolving ski lifts symbolize a playing one. Just minutes from Vancouver Island's premier ski resort and home to an 831-acre, platinum-rated golf course and resort, Courtenay is the ultimate play town. On any given day you can find residents hiking through the lush forested trails that dot the urban landscape or meditating alongside its pebbled streams after a day at the office.

The outdoor enthusiast’s dream (comox-valley-tourism.ca)

As the urban hub of Comox Valley, Courtenay is alive with art galleries, retail boutiques, restaurants, local papers, theatres and a gamut of festivals. But when the clock is about to strike 5 p.m., you’ll find many workers headed for the fairway at the Crown Isle Golf Course and Resort.

Owners of the golf company decided to settle in Courtenay 10 years ago because the land was exactly what they were looking for.

“In terms of size and proximity to some of the best outdoor recreation on the island, the Comox Valley is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream,” said Janette Sproston, spokesperson for the resort. “Ideally one could ski in the morning, golf in the afternoon and fish in the evening.”

Two years after the golf course was established a clubhouse was built on the picturesque landscape. One year later the first of eight villas was born. The resort’s founders sensed the Valley would see tremendous growth. They were right.

A golfer’s paradise
(Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community)

In 2004 $12.3 million was invested into the Comox Valley Airport to establish a new air terminal building and an international customs area. The expansion has resulted in Courtenay becoming a gateway to Northern Vancouver Island and beyond.

The city is at the heart of the Comox Valley, which stretches 50 km along the coast from Fanny Bay to Saratoga Beach. To the north is Campbell River – known as the salmon capital of the world – and to the south are the oceanfront communities of Parksville, renowned for its annual sand castle competition¬, and Qualicum Beach, which thrills locals and visitors alike with its Fire and Ice festival. About 25 km to the west is Mt. Washington, a mile-high alpine resort that boasted the deepest snow base in Canada in 2005/06. In the summer the mountain’s 1657 vertical feet attracts mountain bikers from across the world.

Muddy adventure
(comox-valley-tourism.ca)

Increased access to the seaside area has attracted real estate and investors. Just months after the new airport opened, Ken Muir, owner of Courtenay’s legendary Old House Restaurant, announced he would partner with developers to build a hotel and village around his garden-side restaurant. The expansion is significant to older generations who may recall when the Kirk family built the riverside home. Younger generations undoubtedly have memories of walking alongside its enchanting flowerbeds on a summer’s day or dancing at an outdoor wedding or graduation. The first stage of the development – a 34-suite boutique hotel – is already being utilized by skiers, golfers, and vacationers looking for a recreational get-a-way. Plans to evolve the site into a village centre with deluxe hotel accommodation, a luxury spa, bakery and shops are also underway.

But much of Courtenay's charm stems from its natural environment. Huddled between the snow-capped Beaufort Mountains and the Strait of Georgia, settlers were first drawn to the Valley’s rich farmland and abundant seafood. In fact, the Salish word Comox translates to “plenty.” The Valley is known by some as “the land of plenty.”

One of the many eclectic antique shops
in town (comox-valley-tourism.ca)

Its mild climate also makes it a year-round destination for tourists of widespread interests. When the cherry trees blossom and the first daffodils appear, the cries of outfielders can be heard from the baseball diamonds at Bill Moore Memorial Park. On weekends the exhibition grounds are dotted with vendors bargaining everything from ripe tomatoes to beaded necklaces at the Farmer’s Market. Amid the character shops on Cliffe Street is Sid Williams Theatre, which lines up with culture enthusiasts for the Vancouver Island MusicFest and the North Island Hot Jazz Festival. Culture-craving guests can also get a fix with live theatre, museums, a vibrant art scene and more than 50 festivals that take place throughout the year.

No matter what your game preference, Courtenay has a place to play it. So when you’re ready to trade in that collar shirt for a golf tee or snowsuit, come partake in Courtenay’s recreational landscape. It’s a perfect place to unwind and have some fun.