Ganges
Photographer hangs work at
the ArtSpring gallery
You will have to allow more than just an hour or two for seeing the sights of Ganges, the commercial and cultural hub of Salt Spring Island and the largest community in the Gulf Islands. Ganges is a bustling, vibrant village, full of creativity and artistic ambiance. Among its amenities are supermarkets, quality retail stores, galleries, pharmacies, banks, restaurants and pubs - you'll find it all in both Ganges village and the upper part of town as you follow Lower Ganges Road north.
And, once you have had a taste of island life, you can do as so many visitors have done and stop in at a Ganges real estate office. The best way to see the village is to park the car and explore on foot. The waterfront walkway, docks and pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with treasures and viewpoints that you may miss unless you walk. Village art galleries are located in Grace Point Square, next to the post office, in Mouat's Mall and Mouat's Landing, at ArtSpring and on Lower Ganges Road, with bookstores, quaint shops and restaurants of all kinds scattered throughout. Special gallery exhibits are a regular part of island life in the summer.
ArtCraft, an impressive craft show and sale of 200-plus artists in historic Mahon Hall, is coordinated by the Gulf Islands Community Arts Council. It's open daily from 10 to 5 from mid-May to mid-September, and from 10 to 9 Wednesdays through Saturdays in July and August. Saturdays are particularly lively in Ganges when Centennial Park and the adjoining Gasoline Alley parking lot transforms into a huge outdoor market. Centennial Park also offers relaxing green space, harbourside views, picnic tables and a children's playground.
Another important feature of Ganges is the arts centre ArtSpring, located at 100 Jackson Avenue. Performances, art shows and special events take place year round in the 270-seat theatre and the 5,200-square-foot Birgit and Robert Bateman Gallery. To find out what's happening while you visit, drop in to the centre or call the box office at 537-2102, check www.artspring.ca or the Tourist Info Centre. Mouat Park is a lovely place for a short stroll or a rousing game of disc golf. Located just behind ArtSpring, this park is named for one of Salt Spring's founding families.
Another pleasant place for a visit is Rotary Marine Park, located on the waterfront next to the Ganges seawalk. The dominant feature of the park is Nerissa, an eight-foot-high sculpture of a mermaid. Ganges also has a brand new skatepark on Kanaka Road near the elementary and middle schools in Ganges, with a small outdoor climbing wall. An indoor climbing facility is located behind the Community Services building at 268 Fulford Ganges Road.