Backgrounder: Dunsmuir Lodge to close

October 29, 2008

Dunsmuir Lodge was originally built in 1974. It operated as a rehabilitation centre until it was donated to the University of Victoria in 1985 by the late George Poole of George Poole Construction Ltd.

It commenced operations as a renovated executive training and conference centre in 1987. Since that time there have been no major upgrades or renovations with the exception of the addition of an executive classroom and enhanced telecommunications services in 2000.

Dunsmuir is located high on the slope of Mt. Newton, known as LÁU,WELNEW (place of refuge) to the local First Nations people.

The Lodge is located within the District of North Saanich. The facility includes the following amenities:
45 guest rooms
15 meeting and conference rooms
Two reception rooms
200-seat restaurant and 70-seat lounge
Exercise area

The entire Dunsmuir property encompasses 40.5 hectares.

UVic’s Division of Continuing Studies operates its “UVic on the Peninsula” program of lectures, study groups and dinners at Dunsmuir.