How It All Began
Roots, river, and returning to what matters most.
The Sarilia story began with a feeling — the kind that reminds you of where you came from, and quietly calls you back home. What started as a vision for a simpler, more connected way of living has become a thriving riverside community with deep ties to land, history, and heart. We built Sarilia to reflect those values — and we’re proud to call it home.
It started with a feeling
Some places bring us full circle
Hi — we’re Ronn & Gwen. We didn’t set out to recreate our childhoods — but the first time we stood on this land, something stirred. The trees. The river. The quiet. It reminded us of where we came from and what we wanted to return to. Sarilia was born from that feeling — shaped by memory, meaning, and the quiet magic of being surrounded by nature.
A river valley with history
The land has always drawn people looking for peace
More than a hundred years ago, Doukhobor settlers arrived in this valley with a shared hope — to build lives rooted in harmony, simplicity, and connection. We named Sarilia after one of them, Savilya Demoska, to honour that legacy. Some corners of this land still feel untouched by time, and we’ve done our best to keep it that way.
A vision born from family
Some dreams grow quietly until you realize they’ve always been there
As a boy, Ronn walked this land with his dad, Laurier — learning about the importance of nature, stillness, and community. Those early moments planted something in him. Years later, as we began to shape our vision for Sarilia, it felt like those values were leading the way. Today, Laurier Crescent winds through the community, a tribute to the man who inspired so much of what we’ve built.
Finding home by letting go
It took leaving the city to feel at home
The transition from city life wasn’t easy. At first, we missed the old rhythms — coffee shops, tacos on Tuesdays, the buzz of Broadway. But slowly, something shifted. Life here started to unfold — in the garden, on the porch, under the stars. Coyotes howling. Salsa made from scratch. Peace we didn’t even know we were craving — and the feeling of truly being home.
And for those wondering what we kept within reach — the essentials are still nearby.
A village built together
When the right people come together, a community takes root
We never wanted Sarilia to feel like a subdivision. We wanted it to feel like a village — and it does. Our neighbours build decks together, cut trails, grow food in the community garden. We host community get-togethers and are building a new children’s playground. People give, share, step up, and show up — together we’re building a village.
The legacy lives on
What started as a dream is now a playground for a new generation
We have 18 grandchildren, and every visit brings it all full circle. We build forts, pick crocuses, stargaze under blankets, fish by the river. They beg to stay longer — and we get it. Because we never really want them to leave either. Watching them grow up on this land we love… it’s more than we ever hoped for.
The word around Sarilia
We’re not the only ones who found something special here
Sarilia has grown into more than we imagined — because of the people who chose to call it home. Each resident brings their own story, their own rhythm, their own reason for being here. It’s in the way neighbours greet each other on the trails, gather in the garden, and lend a hand without hesitation.
Want to hear how others describe life in the valley?