Mill Bay, British Columbia Explained

Official Name:Mill Bay
Settlement Type:Unincorporated community
Pushpin Map:Vancouver Island#Canada British Columbia#Canada
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Mill Bay in British Columbia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Canada
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:British Columbia
Subdivision Type2:Regional District
Subdivision Name2:Cowichan Valley Regional District
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:-8
Timezone Dst:PDT
Utc Offset Dst:-7
Coordinates:48.6506°N -123.5592°W
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:V8H & V0R 2P0
Area Code:250, 778

Mill Bay is a commuter town of about 7,200 people located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, about 30km (20miles) north of Victoria, the capital. It is part of the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

Mill Bay was founded in the 1860s with lumber and milling as its primary industries, done at the mill on the bay. It was named for the sawmill built in the area in 1861 by Henry S. Shepherd soon purchased by William Sayward. It is known for its ferry to Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Peninsula and the historic Malahat Drive, which is also a source of criticism due to frequent closures from either automobile accidents or weather conditions. Numerous suggestions have been made by various groups regarding a 'bypass' route (possibly a bridge), though as of 2007, the Brentwood-Mill Bay Ferry and the Malahat remain the best routes to Greater Victoria from the rest of Vancouver Island (a third route goes south from Lake Cowichan via Port Renfrew to Victoria). The MV Mill Bay that has served the ferry route since 1956 is named for the town but was taken out of service in 2011 and is now served by the MV Klitsa.

Mill Bay schools

Brentwood College is a private high school located in Mill Bay.Frances Kelsey Secondary School is a local public high school named after pharmacologist Frances Oldham Kelsey.

Neighbouring communities

The village of Shawnigan Lake is a ten-minute drive from Mill Bay. Cobble Hill, Cowichan Bay, and Duncan are also part of the Cowichan Valley.

Community organizations

The Mill Bay Freemasons Hall meets on the third Thursday of the month and also offers room to other community organizations.

External links