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Landmark in Saanich to bear name of late councillor

Christmas Hill Park’s name will be changed to Vic Derman Park
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A famous natural Saanich landmark will bear the name of the man who helped to protect it.

Saanich announced Tuesday that Christmas Hill Park will have its name changed to Vic Derman Park.

Derman, who died in March 2017 at the age of 72, was a longtime councillor. Voters first elected Derman to council in 2002. He became a director for the Capital Regional District. During this time, he sat on various committees that focused mostly on water conservation, active transportation and sustainability.

“It was this commitment to sustainability that led to council selecting Christmas Hill Park as the place to memorialize their friend and colleague,” according to a release from the District of Saanich.

Saanich’s decision to honour Derman completes a circle. His career in municipal politics began in 1990, when he became an executive member of the North Quadra Community Association. He remained with the association until his election to council in 2002. During this time, he worked to acquire parkland on Christmas Hill and campaigned to improve greenbelts and commuting trails.

In fact, it was the North Quadra Community Association that proposed the idea of renaming Christmas Hill in Derman’s honour in recognition of Derman’s contributions.

Saanich’s release said the name change and a park dedication ceremony will take place in July, with details to be shared with the community as they become available.

Saanich’s announcement marks the second major tribute to Derman. Earlier this month, he won a posthumous environmental award for his role in the fight against climate change.



Wolf Depner

About the Author: Wolf Depner

I joined the national team with Black Press Media in 2023 from the Peninsula News Review, where I had reported on Vancouver Island's Saanich Peninsula since 2019.
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