Will the spirit of Savary survive the transition from carefree to structure?

By Karin Mark

Shrewd land developers in the past century called it Catalina of the North. Explorer Captain George Vancouver dubbed it Savary's Island in 1792. To the Coast Salish people thousands of years ago, it was Ayhus, the double-headed serpent.These days, about 80 people have a different name for B.C.'s Savary Island: home. They and the island's recreational cottagers - who contribute to a peak summer population of roughly 2,000 - view this sandy gem at the north end of Georgia Strait as a sanctuary from mainland restrictions and stress. 

Located 90 miles north of Vancouver,  Savary is decades behind other Gulf Islands in terms of services. It lacks paved roads, electricity and ferry, water and sewer service. Those without boats rely on water taxis or floatplanes - often dubbed 'Daddy planes' - for access. Most of the island's few businesses are seasonal.

This last advantage could be fading, however, as modern concerns encroach on island life.