VIU’s Milner Gardens & Woodland Receives Provincial Support to Aid in Recovery from Pandemic

The public garden is one of 80 anchor attractions and tour bus operators in BC receiving funding.

After a year and a half of drastically reduced visiting hours and revenues, Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Milner Gardens & Woodland will receive a grant from the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport to aid in recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The public garden is one of 80 attractions and tour bus operations that is receiving the funding through the Major Anchor Attractions Program, first announced in May 2021, in recognition of the important role major attractions play in BC’s economy by drawing visitors to communities and supporting local small businesses throughout the province.

Geoff Ball, Executive Director of Milner Gardens & Woodland, takes Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport on a tour of the gardens.

“We are extremely grateful for this much needed support from the Ministry,” says Geoff Ball, Executive Director of Milner Gardens & Woodland. “The impacts from COVID have been incredibly challenging for Milner Gardens & Woodland and threatened our ability to continue to offer our visitors and community the escape they seek here. This funding will secure our ability to carry on the path of safely restoring and growing our programs and experiences.”

For more information, please see the BC Government news release.