About SHF

The Saanich Heritage Foundation promotes the preservation, maintenance and restoration of buildings, structures and land that have been designated as Municipal Heritage Sites in the District of Saanich.

Our Mandate

The purpose of the Foundation is to:

Promote the preservation, maintenance and restoration of buildings, structures and land located in the Municipality of Saanich which have been designated as a Municipal Heritage Site by the Saanich Municipal Council pursuant to the Heritage Conservation Act, 1979 RSBC c165.
Provide grants to owners of heritage buildings, structures or land for the purpose of assisting in the preservation, maintenance or restoration of the property.
Promote and encourage public interest in heritage conservation in the Municipality of Saanich.

Raise funds to enable the Society to carry out the above purposes by soliciting and receiving money and property, both real and personal, by gift, contribution, bequest, devise or otherwise and including but not limited to the obtaining of funds from the District of Saanich, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.
Review changes to the Saanich Community Heritage Register and Saanich Heritage Management Plan.
Review and make recommendations to Council on heritage designation requests and requests for changes in heritage buildings.

Governance

The Saanich Heritage Foundation (SHF) was created in late fall of 1984 and registered as a Society under the Society Act of British Columbia on January 9, 1985. It is administered by a Board of Directors which are appointed annually by the Saanich Municipal Council from the community at large. The annual operating budget of the Foundation is provided by the Corporation of the District of Saanich.

As a not-for-profit organization, the SHF is governed by a Board of Directors. The SHF operates according to Board policies and the SHF Bylaws.

The Board consists of up to nine (9) Directors appointed by the Mayor and Councillors of the District of Saanich, and to the extent practical, includes:

One Council Representative

One person from the Architectural Field

One Accredited Property Appraiser

One Member of the Arts, Culture, and Community Wellbeing Advisory Committee

One Person From the Construction Industry

Five private citizens who have an interest in the heritage of Saanich

At the AGM, the Directors elect the following roles:

President

Vice President

Treasurer

If you would like to be considered for the SHF Board, or would like to know more about being a Director, please contact us.

2024 Board of Directors

Jennifer WhitePresident

Jennifer is an environmental engineer, and project management professional, specializing in multi-year, multi-stakeholder projects. She was born and raised in Victoria, and developed a love of craftsmanship and older buildings from her parents, who own a designated heritage house.

Liam HallVice President

For the past 20 years, Liam has been in the local construction industry working as a Red Seal tradesman on residential, commercial, and public projects. He has a degree in commerce and is currently an owner of Heritage Masonry where he has been able to take on conservation projects and contribute to restoration of many heritage sites.

Lauren OberTreasurer

Lauren moved to Saanich in 2020 after falling in love with and purchasing a registered heritage house in the Gorge-Tillicum neighbourhood. She joined the foundation in 2023 and is currently the Treasurer. Lauren has a degree in public relations with experience in not-for-profit, utilities and facilities management.

Kimberly Van NieuvenhuyseACCW Representative

Kimberly Van Nieuvenhuyse is a public relations professional with a background in working in the arts and not-for-profit sectors. She was appointed to the Saanich Heritage Foundation Board in 2024. Kimberly lives in Saanich with her partner and their two cats.

Charlotte ClarDirector

Charlotte was born and raised in Saanich and has always loved learning about her own backyard. Now working as a Museum Professional, she has enjoyed having the opportunity to share local stories and her love of history.

Daniel SharpDirector

Dan is the CEO of Western Allergy. He graduated from UVIC with a degree in History. He has been involved in a number of property restorations in Victoria, both commercially, The Temple Building, 525 Fort Street and heritage homes including 1745 Rockland.

Genevieve WeberDirector

Genevieve Weber is an archivist and heritage professional living in Saanich. In her professional life she focuses on Indigenous cultural heritage and the recognition of intangible cultural heritage.

Mauricio CurbeloDirector

Mauricio Curbelo is a civil engineer with experience in the building materials and renewable energy sectors. He owns an 1895 heritage home in the Gorge Tillicum area.

Karen HarperCouncil Liaison