8306 Sabre Rd., west of Lantzville's downtown, is the newest property acquisition by the District for the purpose of a public marine park. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

LAND CONSERVATION

Major Lantzville land purchase preserves waterfront property as marine park

Oct 6, 2021 | 5:21 AM

LANTZVILLE — A prime piece of property along the central Vancouver Island waterfront is under new ownership.

The District of Lantzville has officially signed off on the $1.4 million purchase of an eight acre property on Sabre Road, to be re-christened Pierce Woods Marine Park.

Mayor Mark Swain said in a written statement the new piece of prized real estate is the District’s second largest park and will benefit the community for years to come.

“Once open to the public, in addition to becoming a family gathering place for the creation of special memories long into the future, the Park will provide additional beach access and increase our community’s capacity to enjoy and share Lantzville’s waterfront.”

Purchase of the park was made possible through The Woods Foundation Trust, set up by Audrey Joan Editha Woods. Funding for the purchase came from the District’s development cost charges and reserve funds.

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While Woods owned the property at 8306 Sabre Rd., the Pierce family lived and maintained it for over 50 years.

The location of the new Pierce Woods Marine Park, west of Lantzville along Hwy. 19. (Google Maps/District of Lantzville)

Sale by the Woods Foundation was contingent on the property remaining a marine park.

The property remains closed to the public in the short term while the District conducts a detailed survey of the property and addressed parking and accessibility improvements.

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