Hello friends, family, & Gulf Island neighbors!
We are Davina Simms & Justin Ingram. We are new to Mayne Island, and have already fallen in love with this amazing community!
I (Davina) work in community medicine. I have strong roots in farming, growing, cooking and have a passion for growing food & feeding people. My partner, Justin, is a long time restauranteur, originally from the East Kootneys, living and working mainly in the Fraser Valley for the last 16 years. Most recently he opened The Table Bistro in Abbotsford, BC. We live, work, and play both here on Mayne & the other gulf island and in the lower mainland.
We fell in love with the Springwater during our first visit in the spring of 2025, and set up a viewing soon after.
Built as a family home in the 1890's, the Springwater (which began operating as the Grandview Lodge as a hotel in 1895) is a relic and important piece of Canadian history. Until only a couple of years ago, it was known as the oldest continuously operating hotel in British Columbia (133 years!). The Collinson family helped build the community using the lodge as a staying point for those journeying to the mainland, and was continued by numerous other families/individuals, (including the Nayor's, Bennett's, Ms. Drummond, Mr. Mullaly, Mr. King, and others), helping to support the community through its many years.
The Collinson legacy, and the home they built for their family over a century ago, is still remembered throughout the islands with fondness. The many people we have talked to about this historic lodge have fond memories of sunset gatherings, fishing/boating trips from the long gone dock, hotel stays, living in the Collinson house & preparing food for guests, and meals with family & friends out on the deck.
What will it take to restore this property back to its former glory? Not only a facelift, bringing a modern infusion of life and love, but also keeping the history and style of the era the building and property represent? How do we embrace and welcome the community so that the residents of Mayne, and the neighboring Gulf Islands, feel a sense of belonging as they walk though the doors? How do we imagine creating a space that visitors from far and wide will want to come visit and enjoy the beauty of this special island, and then share their experiences with their family & friends as well?
We have a vision for the Springwater which we would love to share with you. A vision of historical beauty meeting modern comfort. We believe we, along with the support of this great community, are the right people to take on this massive project, and to bring the Springwater back to life!
We are passionate, energetic, community-minded people with exceptional experience and drive to see this project through. We want to be a business that helps the Mayne Island community to continue thrive and prosper.
What that means to us:
- giving local residents a place to come together, celebrate, and enjoy the island's charms with family & friends
- providing world-class hospitality and service to everyone who visits
- offering high quality, locally-focused food & beverage options (including brilliant cocktails, locally brewed beer & wine and more!)
- opening up more hours for both the residents and island visitors to enjoy food/drink during the week
- giving local artists, producers, fishers, growers, farmers, brewers, etc. more avenues to showcase their products
- hiring as many local staff as possible, training and giving them opportunities to learn, grow, and advance
- sharing the local knowledge and history of both the lodge & Mayne Island with all our visitors, and honoring the memories of those who were here before us
- encouraging more tourism to Mayne Island so all local businesses can grow and prosper
- giving back to the community through partnered initiatives such as Family Meal Nights, live entertainment nights, event hosting, and prioritized local fare menu offerings
- being responsible caretakers of the land, property, gardens, trees, and building site
Given the rich history and the influence this property had on the development of the community, we envision having this building deemed a historical building and applying for grants to help with the renovation. (If anyone has info on how we might go about doing this, please let us know! All resources are helpful!)
To that end, we are asking the community to help us through this fundraising effort in hopes of being able to acquire, renovate, and revitalize the Springwater Lodge and its property.
This project is a massive undertaking, and our goal of raising $1.6 million will be a mere a fraction of what will be needed to see this project through to opening day. This is due to the renovation & work needed to the building itself, including rebuilding of much of the foundation, as well as structural work, remodeling, electrical and plumbing. We will need to dig a new well, and install &/or rework the existing septic system for the property, as well.
If you have constructional, engineering, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, arborist, gardening, or other skills, equipment, etc. and would like to contribute your time &/or expertise, please let us know!
We are open to larger scale investments from those willing. But we sincerely appreciate contributions of any size! It will "take a village" sized effort to see this project through to opening day.
Thanks to all those who wish to help us make progress towards completing this huge project!! The Mayne Island community has welcomed us so warmly already! We hope we can help to repay the community with the same love and welcome. We appreciate you, and look forward to getting to know you as friends, neighbors, and even family, in the future! Namaste.