Magnolias! Blooming marvellous!

Incredible trees in our Memorial Gardens

This article was published on May 11, 2021.

Two beautiful magnolia trees are blooming in the Memorial Gardens next to our iconic administration building called Spes Bona. Spes is a rather unique brick building built in 1927 on the foundation of a large old mansion that burned down in that year. The tragic fire prompted the Kinghorne family – who owed the estate that is now the Sorrento Centre – to re-build as sturdy and fireproof a structure as possible.

Two key parts of the original mansion are preserved in the “new” structure – the stone fireplace in the main lounge with the words “Toujours Pret” (always ready); and a huge wooden vault-like door that was at the main entrance of the old structure. The Sorrento Centre is in Secwépemc’ulucw – the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc people, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and have practiced virtues of harmony and generosity that are important lessons for those of us on this land today. 

Click here for more on Secwépemc’ulucw – including stories from Kenthen Thomas