MALAHAT NATION RESTORES CENTURY OLD ROTARY CLUB FOUNTAIN
By Gerald Pash, Past President 2019-20, Rotary Club of Victoria, B.C.
Victoria, B.C. The Malahat Nation has restored a fountain that was installed by the Rotary Club of Victoria in 1924 to assist motorists making the trip over the Malahat Drive from Mill Bay. The century old fountain was toppled at the side of the road during the heavy rains of 2022.
Roger Painter, Past President of the South Cowichan Rotary Club contacted the Victoria-Saanich Club to report the damage and determine if there was interest in restoring the artifact. As the fountain was long past its practical use, several options were considered including moving the structure to the Mill Bay Museum. Gerald Pash, Past President of the Victoria Rotary Club, contacting the Malahat Nation on whose land the fountain is located and learned that they had an interest in the fountain as it had provided a source of potable water over the years.
Subsequently, Malahat Nation’s Executive Director of Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Shannon Ralfs, became engaged and came up with a plan to restore the fountain. On April 8, 2024, a crew from Copcan Civil LP, the Malahat Nation’s joint venture construction company, renovated the site. After digging out and leveling the area with eight tons of crushed rock, the work party led by Curt Van Basten, repositioned the fountain.
The fountain is located at the north end of the old Malahat Drive (now Mill Bay Road) near the shore of Saanich Inlet about a quarter mile north of the Mill Bay ferry dock. The cement water trough and fountain replaced a 1911 wooden structure. It assisted motorists and horses on the steep Malahat Drive. Seldom was it possible to complete the four to five hour trip without a boiling radiator or tire trouble. The fountain allowed travelers to fill auto radiators and drinking containers or refresh horses.
On April 28, 1925 the Honourable Dr. William Henry Sutherland, MD, CM, BC Minister of Public Works presided over a grand dedication ceremony. The event was followed by an inter-city banquet with Nanaimo in the Agriculture Hall in Duncan. 200 attended. Members of the Victoria Club travelled to Mill Bay by horse drawn Tally-Ho and returned on the Mill Bay Ferry. The fountain is almost seven feet tall and five feet wide, 
made of concrete with a brass water spout. A Rotary wheel on the front was damaged and removed in March 1965. There are two killer whales on the face with a native language inscription. A plaque provides a brief history.
made of concrete with a brass water spout. A Rotary wheel on the front was damaged and removed in March 1965. There are two killer whales on the face with a native language inscription. A plaque provides a brief history.The fountain was almost destroyed in 1982. The highway’s department wanted to demolish it.The Mill Bay Community League came to its rescue. Duncan Rotarians had it sand blasted and refurbished. Records show that Rotarian work parties from Victoria and Cowichan had attended to repairs on several occasions over the years. This recent restoration demonstrates the spirit of reconciliation recognizing the mutual interests of first nations and the settler communities.
Gerald Pash has been a Rotarian for 55 years with the Abbotsford, Penticton and Victoria, B.C. Clubs (recently renamed Victoria-Saanich Rotary Club