I have just come back from attending the open house for the two new high schools planned for the West Shore.
One of the questions asked on the survey participants were asked to fill out was “What specialty would you like to see encouraged in each of the schools? ie: what type of academy?”
My idea is to have the new Belmont high school, in the Glen Lake spot, a sports-oriented school taking full advantage of the new Langford City Centre Park with leasing, and having the lake nearby for rowing, thereby leaving plenty of room in the actual school building for a large trades program.
Most importantly though, my idea for the Royal Bay area school is to have it be a science-based academy. The popularity of the sciences with kids right now is amazing and we have the greatest opportunity as a community to harbour that.
With a science academy at the new school, even things such as marine biology would be something to focus on with the possibility of a new marina/terminal down across from the school where the property meets the water.
Also, a terrific idea for bringing tourism into Colwood would be to have our own Science World somewhere near the water at the new Royal Bay area.
People would travel for miles to come into Colwood to see it. Note the extreme popularity of the Telus Science World in Vancouver.
Partnerships with Pearson College, Royal Roads University, and businesses in the area could be hatched. Possibilities are endless, with small passenger ferries bringing tourists from downtown Victoria to the site as well. All for the love of knowledge. Please consider these ideas in your future plans for Colwood.
Karen Sorchinski
Colwood