Virginia is a lakeside town located on the edge of Lake Simcoe, famous for its stunning scenery and breathtaking sunsets. The community is home to a mix of residents with some living there year round and others visiting to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Most of the area can be found along Virginia Boulevard and Black River Road. Notable landmarks in the neighbourhood include the ferry terminals connecting to Georgina Island and the bustling Island View Business Centre. Virginia boasts homeowner and beach associations, such as Royal, Sunset Beach, Woodfield and Virginia Beach.
History Of Virginia, Georgina
In the 1850s a significant community of Canadian Catholic settlers had settled in Virginia playing a role in establishing Saint Anthony’s Church located off Highway 48. Antoine Charpentier, a settler who moved from Quebec in the 1830s generously donated the land for the church. The initial wood frame church of Saint Anthony was later replaced in 1903 by the present day church known for its stained glass windows portraying saints.
Lifestyle
The Island View Business Centre, situated at 7751 Black River Road is a waterfront housing various amenities such as Tobacco Trails, Virginia Beach Marina, Boondocks Restaurant, Lotto Centre and the First Nation Lands Management Office.
Virginia Parks & Facilities
The Lake Simcoe trail spans about 50 kilometers running from Virginia in the east through the Town of Georgina to Cook’s Bay in Keswick on the edge.
The community revolves around its beaches and waterfront parks attracting tourists with its cottages. Boating and fishing are activities throughout the year with ice fishing being a favorite in winter.
A notable attraction is the Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery on 149 High Street in Sutton known for its art exhibitions and events. The centre also offers art classes and a summer camp for enthusiasts.
Parks in this area offer plenty of opportunities, including water access. Virginia boasts one park while there are a total of five facilities. On average each park offers five facilities for visitors to enjoy.
- Number of Parks: 1
- Number of Recreation Facilities: 5
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Beach – 1
- Boating Facility – 1
- Campground – 1
- Trails – 2
Virginia Transit
In Virginia there are no public transportation stops. The residents in this area mostly rely on their vehicles for commuting with many traveling to cities for work.
Resident Commuting Destinations
- Commute within the city – 23%
- Commute to another city – 77%
Types of Commutes
- Vehicle – 96%
- Transit – 3%
- Walk/bike – 0%
Residents Commuting Schedules
- 15 to 29 minutes – 14%
- 30 to 44 minutes – 25%
- 45 to 59 minutes – 16%
- 60 minutes and over – 30%
- Less than 15 minutes – 14%
Virginia Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Virginia boasts schools, unique elementary programs and specialized secondary programs. The state is home to a total of 6 schools and 4 Catholic schools. Local educational institutions provide a variety of programs such, as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Gifted/Talented Program and French Immersion.
- Public Schools: 6
- Catholic Schools: 4
Public
- ÉS Norval-Morrisseau
- Sutton PS
- Morning Glory PS
- Sutton DHS
- Keswick PS
- Black River PS
Catholic
- ÉSC Renaissance
- Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Academy
- St Bernadette’s Catholic ES
- ÉÉC Jean-Béliveau
Virginia Homes
Virginia Boulevard is lined with houses ranging from ranch style bungalows to built homes, on tree filled lots. Residents rely on water as there are no city services. The neighbourhood mainly consists of detached homes, with a population, where a significant portion of households have moved recently. It’s a blend of new homes predominantly owned by residents.