North Cowichan community leader David Haywood dies

David Haywood, a prominent community leader and former North Cowichan councillor, passed away on October 7. Haywood served 11 years on the North Cowichan council between 1999 and 2011.

Throughout his tenure, Haywood was a key advocate for local recreational infrastructure, supporting projects such as the Cowichan Sportsplex, improvements to the Evans Park ball fields, and the purchase of the Duncan Curling Club. In 2023, he was awarded the Freedom of the Municipality, an honor bestowed upon only 13 individuals in the municipality’s 150-year history.

Beyond municipal politics, Haywood served on the School District 65 board of trustees for a decade and held positions on the Island Savings Centre Commission and the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board. In recognition of his service, flags at North Cowichan facilities have been lowered to half-mast.