Gabriolore.ca

At least one deck on Pat Burns Ave has this view of Nanaimo's Mt.Benson

     Depending on your age and inclinations, Pat Burns is either a hockey coach or a controversial radio talk-show host from Vancouver. As far as the local avenue in the ‘Harrison Estates’ development – Gabriola’s largest subdivision – the late radio personality is the man for whom it was named.

   Not only did the once popular radio host have a fine avenue named after him,  he earned a lot or two into the bargain for his part in the promotion of the 600+ lot development in the 1960’s.  Blasting across the airwaves of CJOR, Burns would plug the gulf island development regularly, and would-be buyers were offered flights over the island to see the wonderful half-acre lots that were for sale at bargain-basement prices.  Burns became a radio sensation primarily through his entertaining – almost abusive – style. He had many unpopular views –  but he never enjoyed the view from his property on Pat Burns Avenue.  The lots were sold several years ago without Mr.Burns ever having enjoyed life on the island.  

   Several years ago, a group of local residents (presumably from Pat Burns Ave) petitioned to have the name changed to ‘Madrona’ but have not yet succeeded. Perhaps too controversial?

   No conversation about place names on Gabriola Island would be complete without recounting the story of Rosislos Blvd.

   Of course Realtors have played a part in the development of Gabriola Island and in the ‘60s a city Realtor named Violet Chernoff approached local land-owner Don Ross about selling his land just off Berry Point Road. Ms.Chernoff was part of the 600+ lot ‘Harrison Estates’ development at that time and Mr. Ross was reluctant. The persistent developer convinced him to sell however – for a low price, since ‘only two lots’ would be created out of the acreage.

The view from the top of Rosislos on a hazy day

   When the dust settled, over 20 lots were created – and sold for quite a profit for the wily Ms.Chernoff. To add insult to injury, she named one of the roads she built “Rosislos’ to remind Mr.Ross of his ‘loss’.

   Fortunately Mr.Ross was recognized at a later date by another Realtor – Bert Hill – who named Ross Way after him in what was considered ‘uptown’ Gabriola.

Heading up McClay Hill on North Road

   This hill on North Road has a history worth noting.   Although often mistakenly called ‘horseshoe hill’ this is where North Road really started.     McClay Hill starts just past Bertha – if you are heading towards the South End – just past where old ‘Center Road’ used to cut along the top of the ridge that the hill runs down.   Center Road was the old logging road that right down the center of the island, eventually connecting with Degnan Road.  

North Road as it heads down McClay Hill

  When the time came to develop a real road to the south end, the road builders of the day chose to take the odd route down on to the lower shelf, following the laneway to the McClay Farm on the shelf of land that lay below the ridge.   That meant North Road had to come up again (at Tait’s Hill beyond Buttercup…another story) which was really not the best route for the main road.   Center Road was the better route – avoiding the up and down elevation, but politics and road-building are often hand in hand, and it is thought that the more expensive road had benefits for road builders and would-be developers, who wanted closer access to the future Whalebone development along the north-east shore of the island.  

   Regardless of the wisdom of the choice, North Road now runs down McClay Hill and turns sharply left at the bottom.   That sharp left turn took the lives of at least two men on a Sunday night several years ago, when a summer party weekend ended in disaster.   It is a circus during heavy snowfalls, and many a driver has ended up in the ditch along this stretch of road.   To many cel phone users, halfway down McClay Hill is when you lose your signal – which is a good thing.  You should be driving.