100-year-old water wheel spins again, as RRU launches Spring Campaign

A newly restored vintage water wheel, a symbol of the powerful flow of learning and teaching throughout Royal Roads’ history, was unveiled today as part of the university’s new spring fundraising campaign.

The Japanese Gardens’ water wheel unveiling launched A Vision in Bloom — RRU’s fundraising drive, with an initial target of $100,000, to support work on restoring and revitalizing the historic Hatley Park gardens on campus. Public access to the gardens is free.

“As Royal Roads celebrates 25 life-changing years, we are inviting donations to bring back community food production, expand our apiary, restore garden heritage or commemorate a special person in this remarkable place,” says Royal Roads President and Vice-Chancellor Philip Steenkamp.

“The interaction of a water wheel and nature results in a greater force. Similarly, by working with generous donors, we can create spaces that provide greater peace and solace – so essential in this time of great change and uncertainty. These are critical to our mental and physical well-being,” says Steenkamp. “A Vision in Bloom is more than a campaign for garden restoration. As the community recovers from COVID-19, Royal Roads seeks to reimagine its already spectacular gardens to become a rejuvenating force supporting health and wellness.”

The university was able to reinstall and restart the century-old water wheel with generous donations from the Royal Roads community. The water wheel, which is seven feet in height, was restored by skilled artisans.

A Vision in Bloom aims to revitalize many other aspects of the gardens, which welcome nearly 20,000 community members and tourists year-round. The university is accepting donations at www.RRUinBloom.ca.

Royal Roads University’s scenic campus, an ancient and enduring gathering place for the Xwsepsum and Lekwungen First Nations, includes Hatley Park, a National Historic Site. The Edwardian estate, built in 1908, includes Hatley Castle and acres of formal gardens, including the Italian, Japanese, Rose and Woodland Gardens.