Update from the Board Chair

Happy November!

On behalf of the Filberg Board of Directors our sincerest thanks to everyone who has assisted in us successfully coping with the last 19 months – we could not have done it without you!  The amazing volunteers in the gift shop, cutting garden and summer pop up artisan event can be summed up in a phrase: committed and passionate about Filberg! We are so fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers and supporters on our team. 

The Filberg Legacy Tree program continues to flourish – to date we have 24 trees that have been sponsored.  The heartwarming stories associated with these trees are remarkable.  The Town of Comox has just designated a second rollout of 20 trees which will occur on Earth Day 2022 – stay tuned for additional information. This year two trees were dedicated from the Board to amazing volunteers, Richard and Val Graham (Camellia) and Cynthia Davies (Golden Honey Locust). Please take an opportunity to have a look at these trees. 

I hope you have all had an opportunity to stroll under our newly refurbished Arbour.  Huge thanks to the Rotary Club of Courtenay for providing the funding to ensure this iconic structure remains at Filberg Park.  Sadly, we lost a 115-year-old Oak tree during a wind storm – fortunately no one was hurt and no other structures were affected but it is like losing a member of the family. 

The summer was very busy in the park with our Pop-Up Artisan event bringing lots of people over an eight-week period to shop from local artisans – it was almost a “mini Filberg Festival” and it kept that spirit alive.   Speaking of which we are cautiously moving forward for plans for Filberg Festival 2022 – stay tuned for more Festival and membership info coming soon!    

A big shout out to Marc Andre Dubois (Dubois Food Co.) and his team at the Summer Kitchen.  This proved to be a very successful endeavor, combining fabulous food with the best view in the Comox Valley!   

Thanks again to the Comox Fire Department for providing external sprinklers during the heat wave for both the Lodge and the Hands-on Farm buildings. Speaking of sprinklers – exciting news to come very soon on a fire suppression system for the Lodge! Also, we are back in business hosting weddings in the park with over 12 this past spring and summer.   

You may have noticed that the exterior of the Lodge has been given a well-deserved cleaning and inside and out will soon be decked out for the Christmas season. The Park will remain open until 9 pm beginning Dec 1st for you to come and check out the beautiful light display!  The Lodge will be looking beautiful, thanks to Kevin Pantuso from Odlum Brown for sponsoring our Lodge Light Up! 

The Gift Shop’s “Shop Where Santa Shops” will begin on November 19th!  The Gift Shop will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm From November 19 to December 19. Come in and pick out some amazing Christmas treasurers.  

Thank you again and hope to see you in the park soon! 

Audrey Craig, on behalf of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association