Old A.B. Greenwell school site is at 109 Hammond Rd.
There’s something new to do in Lake Cowichan and it begins (and ends) at the old A.B. Greenwell school site at 109 Hammond Rd.
A disc golf course has been in the works for a while now and the time has come to invite new players.
“It’s currently 14 holes and we will expand to 18 in the fall,” said Riley Janes, one of the leads of the new non-profit group Lake Cowichan Disc Golf Society that’s been working on Greenwell Disc Golf Course since the fall of 2024.
“We are a volunteer-driven, nonprofit community group committed to building more than just fairways — we’re building friendships, healthy habits, and civic pride,” Janes said.
The course itself is “a promising, short, forested course that offers a diverse selection of shot shapes, making it a great spot for beginner players or those looking to refine their skills in a natural setting,” according to the Society’s website: lcdga.ca
It is noted, though, that while a longer term goal is accessibility for all, at this point the terrain may not be ideal for those with limited mobility.
While the soft opening occurred late in 2024 and the Greenwell Disc Golf course has been used as part of PE classes already this past school year, its grand opening and initial membership drive was on Sunday, July 13.
“We had about 50 people come out and raised a little over $1,000 for two new baskets,” Janes noted.
One basket and 13 metal tonals have been installed thus far and with those two more baskets now paid for, the group is hoping to find sponsorship for the remaining baskets before working on proper tee-pads.
“We currently have about a dozen regular volunteers,” Janes said, adding there’s always room for more.
Disc golf has been around for nearly a century, though it’s seen a boom since 2000. There was a surge in the sport’s enrolment, as it provided an alternative for people to enjoy outdoor activities while respecting social distancing.
“Disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports and it has a very low barrier to entry. A disc costs $20-25 and you can play unlimited times with it,” Janes explained.
“It’s for all ages and is a great outdoor family activity. The climate here allows year round play. Yes, we play in the winter too,” he added.
“We picked the location because it’s walking distance for most of the town. The society itself is already proving to be a great social network as we run regular weekly meetups and plan to have more events in the future. “
