An Overview of Pender Island
ender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately 34 square kilometers in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population. As part of the Southern Gulf Islands, Pender Island enjoys a balmy sub-Mediterranean climate and features open farmland, rolling forested hills, several lakes and small mountains, as well as many coves and beaches. Pender Island consists of two islands, North Pender and South Pender, which are separated by a narrow canal originally dredged in 1903.
In 1955 the islands were connected by a one lane bridge, as it remains today. Most of the population and services reside on North Pender Island. South Pender Island is generally more rural, but features the popular Poets Cove Resort and Spa, formerly known as Bedwell Harbour Island Resort.
Pender Island is a popular destination for fishing, boating, scuba diving and other outdoor pursuits. The island also boasts an 9-hole golf course. In 1937 several Pender residents put up money to purchase a 60 acre parcel from George Grimmer (a son of Pender pioneer Washington Grimmer). These first individuals and many others took out memberships and worked hard to plan and develop the layout, and build the tees and greens. Incorporated as a society in 1945, with the exception of a brief hiatus during World War II, Pender Island Golf Course has run continuously since that time. From the beginning, member volunteers have played a major part in the upkeep and development of this wonderful golf course, of which they are justifiably proud.