The world's largest gnome is moving to Saanich.
Howard, the nearly 8 metre tall gnome, is moving from it's spot in Nanoose Bay, where he stood for 21 years.
The property where Howard stands is owned by a Chevron gas station, and they wanted the gnome gone, giving the creator's family 60 days to find a new home for Howard.
Bridget Matewish, the granddaughter of the creator, says after narrowing it down to 5 locations, Galey Farms stood out as the best spot for Howard.
"It was very true to what my grandparents would have liked, and what my father would have liked as well. They also had all the resources in place to fully restore him, and he would still be part of a family environment that welcomes families, and he could be seen. And they will be placing him in a location where he can still be taken photos with."
Howard, who at 7.91 metres holds the Guinness Record of 'World's Tallest Gnome', was built in 1998 by Ron Hale. Hale used to own an amusement park next to the highway, and Matewish says after retiring and passing the park on to his son, he then built the giant gnome.
"And at the time he didn't know that he was building the world's tallest gnome, he was just building the giant gnome because the theme of our amusement park was 'Gnome-Man's Land.'"
She says Galey Farms will be creating a new 'Gnome-Man's Land' to feature Howard.
Matewish says after receiving calls from all over North America, including Georgia, Ohio, Washington State, Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba, she and her family decided to try to keep it on the island, and narrowed down the proposed new locations to 5 spots. They visited each location to see whether they could restore Howard, if there would be issues with zoning and permitting, and making sure he ended up in a family friendly spot. She says after doing their due diligence, they determined that the family-run, multi-generational Galey Farms stood out as the best home for Howard.
The gnome is being gifted to the farm, and they only ask that he's restored to his former glory, and a plaque commemorating the family be installed.
Howard can be taken apart, and will be transported down to Saanich in pieces in the next two to four weeks, where he will be restored and cleaned before being set up at the farm.