2017 Completed Summer Project
Power To Be is a non-profit that believes everyone belongs in nature. They empower people to explore their limitless ability through inclusive adventures rooted in nature, such as camping, kayaking, hiking, paddle-boarding, and more.
Never before have they had a home, until in 2016, the Steele family offered the use of the former Prospect Lake Golf Course.
The HeroWork Society was brought in to help transform the site into an inclusive recreational hub for Power To Be’s participants. From July 8th - 16th HeroWork brought together 40 coordinators, more than 300 volunteers, and 46 companies to build and renew the needed infrastructure.
Renovation Elements Map
Community That Cares
Please look at our Partners Page that lists all of the companies, leaders, and volunteers involved with HeroWork in 2017.
Photo Gallery
(Selected Photos)
Full Galleries on Facebook:
Completed Project Elements in Detail
Campgrounds
Ten teams from eight companies completed all eight of these structures in a single day. Companies include: RJC, Farmer, Oak Bay Marine Group, Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites, Capital City Design, BC Assessment, Kinetic, and Easy Installations. Now the participant from Power To Be can enjoy camping all year round!
Pathways, Roads & Landscaping
Over 100 HeroWork volunteers worked together to dig, build and grade the pathways and roadways, helped through excavation by Garden City as well as trucking and supply by Chew, Trio, and AllFun Aggregate. 400 meters of new roadways were build and 600 meters were graded and groomed so that people with accessibility barriers can access the various areas of the site.
Nature House
The old golf course snack shack was transformed into a Nature House, which will be used for cooking, storage, and educational programming, helping Power To Be participants both experience and understand their natural surroundings.
Kayak & Paddleboard Storage
This four tier storage unit will enable Power To Be to keep much of their kayaks and paddleboards near the waterfront for easy access for participants. Built by Lida Homes and Soare Contracting (with help from the military), this structure was built to last for many years to come.
Fire Pit Pavillion
This beautiful circular post and beam structure is nestled into the landscape and provides Power To Be with an educational and community-minded space that will help connect their participants to each other and to the nature that is all around them. Lead by MacDonald and Lawrence with logs supplied by TimberWest, this building is a legacy for decades to come.
Bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms were a key element to this project. Led by Durwest Construction and many other contractors, we build two bathroom enclosures out of red cedar. Each are beautiful and fit perfectly within the environment.
Waterfront
HeroWork volunteers sanded and smoothed the dock that was originally installed by Fresh Water Fisheries of BC. We also build the riparian fence and groomed the pathways so the dock is accessible, allowing Power To Be to run their important water programming from this site.
Explore Power To Be
Their Story
Power To Be began in 1998 with an idea: help people living with a barrier or disability access nature. The idea grew into a community, connecting participants to adventures and supporters to opportunities, collectively redefining the definition of ability.
Based in Victoria and Vancouver, the non-profit organization that empowers people to explore their limitless abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature. Power To Be believes finances shouldn’t prevent anyone from accessing nature, and the team also works to remove cognitive, physical and social barriers to the outdoors. Participants are empowered to explore who they are and what they are capable of with the support of our staff, volunteers and each other.
Their Impact
In 2015, Power To Be empowered 1,143 participants to explore in nature with the support of more than 6,500 volunteer hours and more than 50 community partners. The organization raised $2.1 million while receiving $700,000 of in-kind equipment, products and services to support these experiences. These much-appreciated contributions gave them the ability to continue to subsidize their programs, ensuring finances are never a barrier for the inspiring people they serve.
To scale up their impact, and deliver the greatest value for their participants and stakeholders, they need to continue to invest more in their partnerships, people, and infrastructure. To make this possible it is their hope you will embrace Power To Be as an organization you choose to participate in and invest in.
Their Programs
Adaptive Recreation
Adaptive Recreation programs support people living with a barrier or disability in experiencing inclusive recreational activities while exploring nature and their natural abilities. From land to sea, the team adapts their programs to the participants and provide the equipment and support they may need to experience year-round adventures. These programs are offered in Victoria and Vancouver.
Outdoor School
Wilderness School is a three-year, co-ed program for youth. Monthly weekend trips and multi-day summer excursions lead participants up Vancouver Island’s highest peaks, underground through Horne Lake’s caves and into Tofino’s waves with outdoor adventures such as hiking, surfing, kayaking, camping and snowshoeing. This program is offered in Victoria.
The Legacy
For decades the Steele family operated the 88-acre Prospect Lake Golf Course. After retiring the operation, they wanted to turn it into a community legacy. The Steele family recently leased the property to Power To Be for 25 years. The Victoria-based non-profit envisions it becoming a world-class nature-based recreational facility for children, youth and adults living with physical, mental, or financial barriers.
Partnership With The Steele Family
The Steele family has owned the unique 88-acre property at the south end of Prospect Lake for more than 40 years. The family operated the former Prospect Lake Golf Course on the property until it closed permanently on November 30, 2015. The family searched throughout 2015 to find the right steward for the land for the future, an organization that would respect the natural beauty of the land and operate programs to benefit the community-at-large. Power To Be was selected as an organization aligned with the family’s future vision and property objectives.
HeroWork Testimonials
More enjoyable and rewarding than expected. Looking forward to the next time.
Past HeroWork Volunteer
Keep doing the same - the community is stronger because of you.
Past HeroWork Volunteer
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work on an amazing project!
Past HeroWork Volunteer
Everyone was excellent to work with - an inspirational event I feel lucky to have shared!
Past HeroWork Volunteer