Sayward is located in the Sayward Valley on Johnstone Strait, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia just about one hour north of Campbell River and two hours south of Port Hardy, which is on the northern tip of the Island.Sayward is a village located on in the Sayward Valley on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is located about 1 mi (1.6 km) inland from Kelsey Bay on a spur from Highway 19. The village is named after William Parsons Sayward, a successful lumber merchant from Victoria who was born in Maine in 1818 and came to Victoria from California in 1858.
As with all communities on northern Vancouver Island, Sayward was only easily accessible by water in the past. It was not until after World War ll that a gravel road connected Sayward to Campbell River, and not until 1979 that a paved road connected the North Island.
INDUSTRY:
Forestry, tourism, outdoor recreation.Population
Village Population: 311 (2016 Census)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Island Health
Health Service Delivery Area: North Vancouver Island
Regional District: Comox-Strathcona
Rural Designation: RSA community
RRP Designation: A
RRP Points: 23.55
Practitioners
There are no general practitioners yet in this community.
Clinic
Sayward Primary Healthcare Clinic 601 Kelsey Way Sayward, BC, V0P 1R0 P: 250-282-3815 | F: 250-282-0040 Email: schs.clinic@gmail.com
Nurse Practitioner
Fran Chiste Sayward Primary Healthcare Clinic 601 Kelsey Way Sayward, BC, V0P 1R0 P: 250-282-3815 | F: 250-282-0040 Email: schs.clinic@gmail.com
Ambulance
BC Ambulance Services provides coverage to this community.
Extended Care
WeCare Home Health Services (in-community) 2314 A Rosewall Crescent Courtenay, BC, V9N 8R9 P: 1 888 334-8531 | F: 1 888 334-8571
Physiotherapy
Sayward Health Clinic Box 33, 601 Kelsey Way Sayward, BC, V0P 1R0 P: 250 282-3231 www.saywardclinic.com
Sayward is accessible by the Port of Kelsey Bay which is located 10 kilometres from the Junction of Highway 19 and Sayward Road approximately 78 kilometres north of Campbell River or 200 kilometres south of Port Hardy.
Sayward is accessed by Highway 19, the main highway serving the East Coast of Vancouver Island from Victoria to Pt. Hardy. The Village of Sayward is 10 km. off the highway on Sayward Road.
Airlines
The closest airport is 82 km south in Campbell River. Pacific Coastal Airlines and Air Canada offer up to 6 return flights daily between Vancouver and Campbell River. Westjet offers direct flights to and from Edmonton and Calgary and on to all their eastern and US destinations from the Comox Airport.
There is a helicopter pad located near Kelsey Bay. This can be used with the permission of the owner. Sayward also has a gravel runway that can be used for emergency landings.
Bus Services
Island Coach Lines provide daily bus service from Campbell River and Port Hardy. Transfers to Nanaimo and Victoria are obtained in Campbell River. The bus depot at White River Court handles passengers and freight and is located approximately 300 meters west off Highway 19 at the Sayward Junction.
Ferry Schedules
Sayward has the only Federal Wharf and Small Craft Harbour on Johnstone Strait, midway between Campbell River and Pt. McNeill. Cruise ships, recreational and commercial vessels travel this section of the Inside Passage en route north to Alaska and points south.
Located in Kelsey Bay, the Small Craft Harbour is managed by the Sayward Harbour Authority and has a new loading ramp, derrick and wave reduction system. The Port of Kelsey Bay Wharf is located just west of the Small Craft Harbour and offers moorage in fair weather as well as pier fishing and a fish cleaning station. Three small boat launch ramps are available. Marine gas is available at Sayward Foods, located on Kelsey Way in the Village. Diesel fuel can be delivered by truck when ordered.
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Schools
Sayward is in Campbell River School District #72.
Sayward Elem-Jr Secondary (K-7, 35 Students) Box 40, Sayward, BC, V0P 1R0 P: 250 282-3314 | F: 250 282-3822 www.sd72.bc.ca
Visitor Center
Sayward Tourist/Visitor Info Booth 16 Sayward Road, Kelsey Bay Wharf Sayward, BC, V0P 1R0 P: 250 282-0018 | F: 250 282-0019 www.portofkelseybay.com sfs@saywardvalley.net
In addition to a small village center, Sayward offers many recreational opportunities in and around the village, including sport fishing charters, Killer Whale watching tours, wildlife viewing, world class caving, eco tours, etc.
The Kusam Klimb, held in late June, is now ranked as one of the most challenging wilderness races anywhere.
Mount Cain Ski Resort is located southwest of Sayward, 25 minutes west of the Sayward Junction along Hwy 19. (A 16 km drive on a gravel road from the highway to the day lodge (at 3,900 ft), with chains being mandatory on the last 10 km). Mount Cain offers a unique experience for skiers, snowboarders and backcountry explorers, with virtually no line-ups for lifts, and a friendly, welcoming atmophere. The community-run Mount Cain is located in a regional park, and is ideal for families and snow enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Mount Cain resort usually opens from November to April.
A public campsite is located at H’Kusam Park by the Village of Sayward Office. With magnificent views of the ocean and mountains, this is a small and quiet campsite which has washrooms, but no electrical hookups.
