District of Saanich

Canada Day festivities return to Saanich with the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. (Black Press Media file photo)

What’s happening in Greater Victoria on Canada Day?

Events return in Saanich and Sooke while making a debut in Langford

Canada Day festivities return to Saanich with the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Reynolds secondary teacher Heather Coey was presented with the Long Term Achievement award as part of the 2022 Saanich Environmental Awards handed out at the June 20 council meeting. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Saanich environmental champions honoured with awards

Winners recognized in multiple categories for environmental stewardship

Reynolds secondary teacher Heather Coey was presented with the Long Term Achievement award as part of the 2022 Saanich Environmental Awards handed out at the June 20 council meeting. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
The rapid pace of growth in B.C. urban centres like Langford, seen here in 2021 along the Peatt Road corridor, has prompted B.C.’s Urban Mayors Caucus to ask the federal government to consider releasing funds sooner that target projects that improve housing affordability and transportation. (Google Street View)

B.C. urban mayors ask feds to expand housing affordability, transportation funding

Caucus co-chair Lisa Helps of Victoria outlines list of B.C. requests in letter

The rapid pace of growth in B.C. urban centres like Langford, seen here in 2021 along the Peatt Road corridor, has prompted B.C.’s Urban Mayors Caucus to ask the federal government to consider releasing funds sooner that target projects that improve housing affordability and transportation. (Google Street View)
New recruits and management of the Saanich Fire Department gathered for a photo recently outside the number 1 hall. The new hires will bring full-time staffing up to six at the department’s No. 3 station on McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Fire protection in Saanich east boosted with addition of 10 firefighters

Extra staffing gives hall 2 more 24/7 firefighters, aims to improve response times

New recruits and management of the Saanich Fire Department gathered for a photo recently outside the number 1 hall. The new hires will bring full-time staffing up to six at the department’s No. 3 station on McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
An aerial view of Townley Place, the Greater Victoria Housing Society’s newest development in Saanich. (Greatervichousing.org/YouTube)

Affordable housing project celebrated in Saanich neighbourhood

64-unit Townley Place providing mix of housing types

An aerial view of Townley Place, the Greater Victoria Housing Society’s newest development in Saanich. (Greatervichousing.org/YouTube)
Initial rendering of a proposed redevelopment of the District of Saanich operations yard at Borden Street (lower right) and McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Questions remain, but Saanich ops yard redevelopment feasibility study continues

Council concerned uncertainties, lack of public housing options in business case

Initial rendering of a proposed redevelopment of the District of Saanich operations yard at Borden Street (lower right) and McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Rendering of the 86-unit development planned for 4096 Torquay Dr. at Shelbourne Street in Saanich. Council has forwarded the application to a public hearing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Public to weigh in on Torquay Drive development in Saanich

Tenure of rental suites in 86-unit project too short, say two councillors

Rendering of the 86-unit development planned for 4096 Torquay Dr. at Shelbourne Street in Saanich. Council has forwarded the application to a public hearing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. The project comes to public hearing along with two others on June 21. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)

5 p.m. start Tuesday for Saanich’s 3 public hearings

Residents, other interested parties invited to participate in discussions

A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. The project comes to public hearing along with two others on June 21. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)
Pearkes Recreation Centre is receiving a heat recovery and mechanical upgrade, with the help of a $2.8-million grant from Clean BC. (Photo by Melanie Seal-Jones/Courtesy District of Saanich)

Energy retrofit at Saanich rec centre to cut GHG emissions by 85 per cent

Construction on HVAC system upgrade project scheduled to start in fall 2023

Pearkes Recreation Centre is receiving a heat recovery and mechanical upgrade, with the help of a $2.8-million grant from Clean BC. (Photo by Melanie Seal-Jones/Courtesy District of Saanich)
Final line painting, including for bike lanes, has yet to be done on Shelbourne Street between Feltham Road, shown here, and McKenzie Avenue. The installation of concrete barriers to better protect cyclists from traffic, is slated for later this year. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Shelbourne bike-lane criticism prompts clarification from Saanich

Buffered bike lanes in Phase 1 of upgrades to see concrete separators later this year

Final line painting, including for bike lanes, has yet to be done on Shelbourne Street between Feltham Road, shown here, and McKenzie Avenue. The installation of concrete barriers to better protect cyclists from traffic, is slated for later this year. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The two-bay Saanich Fire Station No. 2, in operation since 1978 on Elk Lake Drive at Royal Oak Drive, is up for replacement. The municipality aims to build an eight-bay hall on adjacent land. A public hearing related to the project will likely happen this summer. (Google Streetview)

Tree removal an issue, but Saanich council sends fire hall project to public hearing

Elk Lake Drive hall would keep operating while new hall is constructed next door

The two-bay Saanich Fire Station No. 2, in operation since 1978 on Elk Lake Drive at Royal Oak Drive, is up for replacement. The municipality aims to build an eight-bay hall on adjacent land. A public hearing related to the project will likely happen this summer. (Google Streetview)
Rather than asking staff to research options for a voluntary reconciliation fund similar to that of Victoria, Saanich council voted to defer discussions to the district’s next meeting with the WSANEC Leadership Council. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich to consult First Nations before establishing public reconciliation fund

Coun. Ned Taylor looks to get ball rolling on idea similar to City of Victoria program

Rather than asking staff to research options for a voluntary reconciliation fund similar to that of Victoria, Saanich council voted to defer discussions to the district’s next meeting with the WSANEC Leadership Council. (Black Press Media file photo)
A busy stretch of Shelbourne Street near McKenzie Avenue was part of the first phase of the street’s improvement project, which is awaiting line painting for completion. The timeline for the ambitious next phase further south on Shelbourne has yet to be announced by Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Shelbourne Street improvements moving along in Saanich

Phase 1 nearly completed; significant changes in next phase include protected bike lanes

A busy stretch of Shelbourne Street near McKenzie Avenue was part of the first phase of the street’s improvement project, which is awaiting line painting for completion. The timeline for the ambitious next phase further south on Shelbourne has yet to be announced by Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Saanich planning staff are looking to clarify with council whether future developments targeted for reduced community amenity contributions should be charged for units built above the height limits listed for their area in the official community plan. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich looks to nail down amenity payment schedule for developments

Interim community amenity policy meant to encourage rental, below-market housing

Saanich planning staff are looking to clarify with council whether future developments targeted for reduced community amenity contributions should be charged for units built above the height limits listed for their area in the official community plan. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The District of Saanich’s annual report for 2021 is available for viewing and public comments will be accepted ahead of June 20, when council will consider the document for endorsement. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Final week to offer input on Saanich draft annual report

Public comments on 102-page document welcomed ahead of June 20

The District of Saanich’s annual report for 2021 is available for viewing and public comments will be accepted ahead of June 20, when council will consider the document for endorsement. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The District of Saanich is looking for artists to help create murals in Beckwith and Layritz parks and the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Artists wanted for Saanich community canvas mural project

Art pieces planned for Beckwith, Layritz parks; Cedar Hill Recreation Centre

The District of Saanich is looking for artists to help create murals in Beckwith and Layritz parks and the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Saanich council has voted to have a Section 57 notice placed on title for two homes for which unpermitted construction has taken place. (Photo by Anne Nygard/Unsplash)

Saanich homes to have notice placed on title for unpermitted work

Council approves Section 57 notice for Judge Place, Old West Saanich Road homes

Saanich council has voted to have a Section 57 notice placed on title for two homes for which unpermitted construction has taken place. (Photo by Anne Nygard/Unsplash)
Acting Saanich mayor Coun. Karen Harper raises the rainbow flag June 1 marking Pride month in the municipality, joined by Victoria Pride Society president Britton Kohn and Inter-Cultural Association staffer Robin McGeough. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Saanich raises rainbow flag to launch Pride month

Saanich and Victoria Pride Society partner for special event June 1

Acting Saanich mayor Coun. Karen Harper raises the rainbow flag June 1 marking Pride month in the municipality, joined by Victoria Pride Society president Britton Kohn and Inter-Cultural Association staffer Robin McGeough. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The newly painted rainbow mural at Saanich municipal hall offers a colourful welcome to all visitors and employees. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pride Month being celebrated in Saanich in June

Rainbow mural offers colourful backdrop for Pride Month flag raising Wednesday morning

The newly painted rainbow mural at Saanich municipal hall offers a colourful welcome to all visitors and employees. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Players from the Westshore Warriors and the Victoria Spartans (black) play a football match on Goudy Field on May 29, 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Only 2 lit turf fields leave minor football struggling for field space in the West Shore

West Shore minor teams may be relocated to Saanich or shut down if no solution found

Players from the Westshore Warriors and the Victoria Spartans (black) play a football match on Goudy Field on May 29, 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
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