Businesses

Countrywide Village Realty Ltd. is your source for real estate in Lake Cowichan and the surrounding area. Looking to purchase a new home? Avoid feeling overwhelmed and use our experience and knowledge to find the home of your dreams. Thinking of selling? Exposure is everything. Leverage our experience and marketing tools to turn ‘selling’ into ‘sold’. Have questions? We are here to help find answers and provide insights into the local area. Call Keith Nelson or Tracy Forrest today!

Gerard’s Specialty Foods Ltd. is a family operation, started in Lake Cowichan in the summer of 2012. Our Founder, President and CEO, Gerard Burg (Gerry) was a Master Pastry Chef, with over 60 years experience and actually developed his concept of ‘beef strudel’ in his native country, the Netherlands.

He was born in 1934 and lived in Holland during the Nazi occupation. He began his training at the age of 14 years. By the age of 19 years, he won First Prize in the prestigious Brussels Fair, with a 5 foot chocolate and sugar statue of a bull fighter on horseback and a bull. Gerry went on to Africa where he was a Chef on the famous Blue Train. Meanwhile, his family has emigrated to Canada; he joined them in 1958 and quickly acquired his first job as Chef in the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. He went on to own three companies, taught at Georgian College and finally moved to Vancouver Island in 1998.

He continued with his craft, creating breathtaking wedding cakes, crafted in the old style of European masters. (some of his amazing cake samples are still on display in his office.) But he had always dreamed of creating a business with his delicious strudels and with the help of family, he finally pursued his dream in Lake Cowichan.

Gerry’s brother-in-law is our Vice-President, Graham Brawnell. Born in Vancouver, he grew up on a cattle ranch in B.C.’s Interior. He eventually owned Tinit Manufacturing and from this business he gained manufacturing knowledge to Gerard’s’. He is in charge of Inventory, Shipping and Receiving.

Secretary-Treasurer and Office Manager is Gerry’s widow, Glenda, who brings organization to our company. She has had a varied career, including real estate and civic celebration management. She has written a book about her family’s adventures on their cattle ranch.

Glenda’s son, William Osborne, who was trained by Gerry to assume the leadership, is now our President and CEO. He joined the company with an interest in franchising our company in the future. He was our Director of Sales & Marketing.

William’s partner, Dana is our Director of Product Development and is currently overseeing Sales and Marketing until we appoint a replacement.

Gerry’s twin, Father Joseph Burg, has joined our Board of Directors.

Canada’s only Year Round Motorsport Facility

More than just a place to drive fast, the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit is a motorsports playground where driving enthusiasts, friends and businesses come together to enjoy a place where they can socialize and dine among other motorsport enthusiasts. Situated in beautiful Cowichan Valley, BC, we are resolute in bringing professional training, track-side support, defensive driving and drivers’ education to increase everyone’s confidence and personal safety on and off the track. With 19 corners and 11.5% in elevation changes, this Circuit is one you must drive to fully comprehend just how technical a track can be.

Bryan Harvey has exhibited peer reviewed large format photographs in the 1650 Gallery in Los
Angeles,the online publication of Creative Quarterly,the Waterfront Gallery in Ladysmith
B.C., the Sooke Fine Arts Show ,and the Sidney Fine Arts Show .

After being judged by 25 of the top galleries in the U.S. Bryan received the American Art Awards
2014 third place for “Dream Vacation” in the non-manipulated photography-landscape category.
Prior to the to the AAA submission this photograph had been peer reviewed and displayed at Sooke
Fine Arts 2014.

Harvey submitted three photographs to the 2015 American Arts Awards.
won third place in the non manipulated photography- still life category and
Clivia tied for fifth place in the same group.

Marie Canyon tied for sixth place in the non manipulated photography-landscape category.

“Lightly Unfurled”was displayed at Sooke Fine Arts 2015 .

“Clivia” together with “Marie Canyon” were chosen for the Sidney Fine Art Show 2015 .

“Bear Water” and “Sticking it to the Jug”* were two photographs chosen for the
Ladysmith Fine Arts Show 2016.

• tied sixth place non-manipulated still life photograph.AAA 2016

The focus at Beaver Lake Resort / Campground is to provide families and seniors with a camping experience that will make them want to return again and again. Want a private treed camping site or a wilderness tent site? We have them here as well. Maybe you would rather not rough it, then perhaps you would be interested in our fully self contained, modern lake front cabin. We pride ourselves in having clean washrooms, with flush toilets and hot showers, a coin laundry and if you need a treat, we even have a small store waiting for you. The recreation opportunities are endless and our summer guest programs provide FUN AND ADVENTURE for those that wish to participate. Campground Activities Include Swimming Hiking Fishing Beach Volleyball/Badminton Sand Castles Horse Shoes Basketball Wilderness Playground Crafts Games Soccer Nature Photography Bird Watching Interpretive Programs Eco Adventure Tours (available on request)

Let us take care of the work, so you can take care of the fun!
All of your house maintenance needs in one place
We specialize in asbestos abatement and mold remediation. Our top priority is the safety of our customers and employees. This focus on safety has allowed us to grow to be one of the top Hazmat companies in the Cowichan Valley.