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Average Climate
The South Cowichan Valley boasts a mild climate. In July we see average lows of 10.6C (50F) with an average high of 23.7C (74F). The average low temperature in January is -1.4C (30F) with an average high of 5.5C (42F). These mild temperatures make for ideal gardening and recreational activity, as well as making the area popular with seniors.
For daily updates on the Malahat weather station, click here.
For daily Victoria updates, click here.
Points of Interest
Click here for Vancouver Island.com's information about the South Cowichan Valley.
General Information
(Area code for all phone numbers is 1-250)
-Police - RCMP Shawnigan Lake Detachment
-Fire Halls - Cowichan Bay, Malahat, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake
-Hospital - Cowichan District - Duncan
-Library - Regional Branch located in Mill Bay
-Local Government - (CVRD) Cowichan Valley Regional District - Duncan 746-2500 or cvrd.bc.ca
-Media - 2 Wednesday and 2 Sunday newspapers from Duncan; one local monthly
(South Cowichan Life), Shaw Cable TV, radio Sun FM 89.7
-Banking - Branches of most Canadian Banks & credit unions located throughout the Region
-Shopping - 3 shopping centres, community malls and specialty shops
-Service Clubs - local chapters Lions, Rotary, Legion & other community associations
-Business Welcome Wagon - David Adams - 250-746-4236
-Car Insurance (provincial ICBC) 1-800-663-3051 or icbc.com
-Phone - from out of BC 1-888-811-2323 or telus.com
Utilities
Both private & public recycle & curbside garbage pickup available depending on area. Heating - oil, electric, wood or natural gas. Water services from well or municipal systems. Contact CVRD (Cowichan Valley Regional District) for details. General office, Duncan, BC - 746-2500
Recreation Centres
Kerry Park Recreation Centre 743-5922
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre 743-1433
Cowichan Centre 748-7529
Schools
School District #79 748-0321
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Elementary - Shawnigan Lake
Discovery (Gr. 2-6)
Elsie Miles (K-1) |
743-3291
743-3111 |
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Elementary - Cobble Hill, Mill Bay
Bench (Gr. K-6)
Cobble Hill School (2-6)
Cowichan Station
Mill Bay Elementary |
743-5552
733-2307
746-7912
743-5504 |
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Middle School - All Communities |
High School - All Communities |
| George Bonner (7-8) |
743-5571 |
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Frances Kelsey Secondary (9-12) |
743-6916 |
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Private |
Post-Secondary |
Brentwood College (8-12)
Evergreen Independent (K-12)
Shawnigan Lake School (8-12)
Sunrise Waldorf (K-8) |
743-5521
743-2433
743-7144
743-5516
743-7253 |
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Malaspina University-College Cowichan Campus, Duncan |
748-2591 |
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Medical and Dental Services
Medical Services Plan 1-800-663-7100
Medical, dental, eye care as well as x-ray, massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic and alternative medical services are available throughout the region.
Places of Worship
The following denominations are represented in the communities of Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill and in nearby communities in the Valley:
Alliance
Anglican
Baptist
Brethren
Catholic
Christian Science |
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Church of the Nazarene
Jehovah's Witnesses
Lutheran
Non-denominational
Pentecostal |
Presbyterian
Reform
Salvation Army
Scientology
Seventh-Day Adventist
Sikh
United Church |
Traveling?
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Distance Chart |
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MILL BAY TO...
| City/Town |
Km |
Mi |
| Campbell River |
223 |
133 |
| Carmanah Valley |
153 |
91 |
| Chemainus |
36 |
21 |
| Cobble Hill |
3 |
1 |
| Courtenay |
178 |
106 |
| Cowichan Bay |
10 |
6 |
| Duncan |
19 |
11 |
| Ladysmith |
48 |
28 |
| Lake Cowichan |
49 |
29 |
| Long Beach |
257 |
154 |
| Nanaimo |
70 |
42 |
| Parksville |
106 |
63 |
| Port Alberni |
154 |
92 |
| Port Hardy |
460 |
276 |
| Port McNeil |
421 |
252 |
| Port Renfrew |
164 |
98 |
| Qualicum Beach |
116 |
69 |
| Shawnigan Lake |
3 |
1 |
| Sidney |
61 |
37 |
| Sooke |
56 |
64 |
| Victoria |
41 |
25 |
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Transportation
Drive BC current island traffic conditions
Malahat Highway 1 Web Camera (near South End Shawnigan Lake Turn-off)
Retiring to the South Cowichan Valley
Non-Canadians must check with Immigration Canada or the nearest Canadian Consulate prior to making property purchases or moving arrangements.
There are many societies, clubs and organizations which might be of interest to those retiring to the South Cowichan Valley. Some are oriented specifically towards seniors with programs that include travel, recreation, sports and fitness, arts and crafts, lectures, choirs, workshops, newsletters, language instruction, dances, sailing, etc.
A list of Seniors Care Facilities is available at http://www.bchousing.org/ or http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/
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