Our Stories

Our stories are as diverse as the people who have always come to this place to live, learn, and renew.

In our ancient woods, you can still find evidence of bark being carefully stripped from cedar trees for traditional Indigenous uses, such as making ropes, nets, clothing and blankets.

Perfectly preserved beer bottles left behind by early 19th century workers evoke a period of architectural construction that created many of the formal gardens our visitors treasure today.

The “Rosa Navy Lady”, a wonderful red specimen in our rose garden, honours the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service (the “Wrens”) during the Second World War.

The beautiful tall white naval mast in the walled garden is a perfect example of the enduring value of legacy giving here at RRU. The Mast Site Memorial Plaza commemorates the men and women who lived and learned at Royal Roads during its 55 years as a Royal Canadian Naval College.

You can be part of the Royal Roads story through a gift that helps bring our community’s rich history alive.

1,000 pounds and growing: RRU Garden helps feed community

Royal Roads University’s Giving Garden, part of A Vision in Bloom, is helping fight food insecurity on Vancouver Island
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How a traditional teahouse is bringing a piece of traditional Japanese culture to Royal Roads

Thanks to a local donation, a traditional teahouse is part of the plans for RRU’s Japanese gardens
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Royal Roads’ kitchen garden is producing

Right now we are giving the community 120 pounds of organic produce a week, grown right here on campus in our Giving Garden, funded by your donations to A Vision in Bloom.
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RRU’s historic Japanese Gardens are getting a major redesign

CBC Victoria's Adam van der Zwan took a walk with the garden's new architect Hayato Ogawa and Director of Operations Ron Granados to find out more about major plans for the historic Japanese Gardens.
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Spring in the Japanese Gardens

Business professor’s memory to be honored

Dr. Steven Glover’s legacy to be honoured with commemorative bench on campus
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100 years of history and the heritage fruit trees of Royal Roads

When is a banana not a banana? When it’s a Winter Banana! (Which is a type of apple and one of RRU’s heritage fruit trees.)
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The century-old “glass house” at Royal Roads remains a vital asset on campus

A Vision in Bloom: restoring the historic glass greenhouse on RRU grounds
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The power of the picnic table resonates with Royal Roads MBA grads 16 years later

2005 MBA cohort raised $5,000 for Royal Roads and picnic table they donated has been refurbished for future student use.
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What’s in the (water) works at Royal Roads

The ponds and fish ladders in RRU’s gardens go back more than a century and are getting upgrades as part of A Vision in Bloom.
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RRU Bonsai with Mark Paterson

We are pleased to share a little peek into a local donor event with RRU’s Bonsai Artist Mark Paterson who shared insights on the art of bonsai.
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He devoted a lifetime to bonsai. Soon, you’ll be able to see his trees at Royal Roads

Dick and Bette Geisreiter donated over 100 bonsai to Royal Roads University to be enjoyed in the university’s Japanese garden.
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Hayoto Ogawa and Vera Gammert in the Japanese Gardens at RRU

Rejuvenation of Royal Roads’ Japanese gardens will build on tradition — and perfection

A major upgrade of Royal Roads University’s tranquil Japanese gardens is a key piece of its Vision in Bloom fundraising campaign.
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Bench donation highlights pivotal time for women in World War II

Nephew and niece honour Eileen Maurice, who served as a "Wren" a Royal Roads Military College during World War II.
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Anni’s bench will be a place to remember amongst the flowers

In honour of their mother who loved peace and flowers, a Victoria family is dedicating a bench to her in the Royal Roads Italian garden.
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Japanese Gardens’ history is entwined with the men who made it

Isaburo Kishida and Tadashi Noda were the designers behind Royal Roads University’s verdant and serene Japanese Gardens.
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Buzzing bees will boost Royal Roads’ vision for a productive kitchen garden

Century-old kitchen garden at RRU will produce fruit, veggies for campus and community as part of Vision in Bloom renewal
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Classmates and lifelong comrades, Class of ’61 remembers Royal Roads

In place of a 60th anniversary celebration, graduates of the former Royal Roads Military College donated to the Vision in Bloom fundraiser.
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President Steenkamp: Good things are growing at RRU

We're reimagining what was once the Dunsmuirs’ kitchen garden into a community food-production hub. Watch the first plot being built in just two days.
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Growing and giving: Royal Roads’ kitchen garden to produce food

RRU’s kitchen garden is the lynchpin of Vision in Bloom, a campaign to restore the university’s historic gardens and grounds.
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Water wheel in Japanese Garden

Renewal for Royal Roads’ iconic water wheel

The waterwheel in the Japanese Gardens is a powerful symbol of rebirth and regeneration, and an example of how man, machine and nature can work together in harmony. This iconic feature was skillfully restored by local artisans thanks to the generous support of community donors.
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Our Location

Royal Roads Advancement Team
2005 Sooke Road, Victoria, BC
V9B 5Y2

Get in Touch

Toll-free: 1.866.207.0080
giving@royalroads.ca

Royal Roads University Foundation Charitable Registration: #881174528RR0001

Copyright 2021 Royal Roads University