Good morning! 

Bear Mountain is facing a lawsuit filed by the City of Langford after failing to comply with an agreement that they would pay for their portion of the new parkway expansion. Read all about it, and more, in today’s edition of the newsletter. 

— Emma

NEWS

Bear Mountain Resort faces lawsuit

Bear Mountain Resort owner Ecoasis Developments LLP is being sued for $1.88 million after the City of Langford filed a Notice of Civil Claim that the company breached an agreement to make scheduled payments for its portion of the Bear Mountain Parkway expansion.

According to the documents, Ecoasis and Langford signed a memorandum of understanding in September 2016 for Ecoasis to pay $3,069,507.19 for the extension of the Bear Mountain Parkway. While the developer did pay a portion of the parkway costs in development cost charge credits, the two parties had a disagreement over the outstanding amount to be paid.

The city and the company came to an understanding on Feb. 23, 2023, where the two parties signed an agreement that Ecoasis would pay $1,886,353.84 in a payment plan for the remaining balance.

The payments were scheduled on a yearly basis, with the exception of the first portion, $90,000, which was due within 60 days of the agreement; after the initial cost, Ecoasis agreed to pay $300,000 on the last day of the year between 2022 and 2027, with the final payment being just under $300,000.

The repayment agreement also highlighted that if a payment was missed, all outstanding balances would be due in full and that an additional amount equal to the interest charges would be due. While the plaintiff did state that Ecoasis made two payments for a total of $390,000, the company has still failed to send the Dec. 31, 2023 payment of $300,000. 

The city says it sent a legal letter to Ecoasis on Jan. 24 requesting the full payment by no later than Jan. 31, but received no response or payment — a follow up letter was sent on Feb. 8 requesting the payment by no later than Feb. 14, which was again left unresponded to. 

Now, the city is taking legal action and requesting Ecoasis to pay the full amount of $1,881,852.36 on top of legal costs incurred in enforcing the settlement agreement as a debt; Langford filed the notice on March 14, 2024.

This isn’t the first time Bear Mountain Resort has faced community backlash. Last summer, the Westshore reported on how locals were frustrated after the resort introduced fees to use its trails.

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ENVIRONMENT

Westshore municipalities to receive provincial Emergency Support Services funding

On March 18, the provincial government announced it will disperse $3.27 million from its Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) to 100 BC municipalities and First Nations that will provide temporary support, such as accommodation, food, clothing and transportation, for people and families that are being evacuated.

The funding will help a number of communities in the Westshore better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-related emergencies.

Langford will receive $26,850 for ESS truck and trailer modifications. Sooke will use their $20K for ESS ERA modernization. Colwood will receive $30K to enhance ESS supplies, equipment and volunteer training there. Esquimalt will also use its $17K to fund training. View Royal and Metchosin will dedicate their $30K to emergency support set up and supply inventory.

“When British Columbians experience emergencies, Emergency Support Services responders are here for our communities,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “New equipment and increased training capacity for Emergency Support Services responders will ensure that people have the essential supports and resources they need during emergencies,” she said in a statement. 

Read more about what types of emergencies these funds are likely to be used for in The Westshore.

NEWS

Charges laid in Sooke man’s suspicious death last year

Police have charged Adam John Steenbergen with manslaughter, along with one count of careless use or storage of a firearm and two prohibited/restricted weapons charges. The body of Mike Leier, 42, was found by Otter Point last March after he was fatally injured in a “remote wilderness area” near Jordan River, per RCMP. [Sooke News Mirror]

A GoFundMe page set up by a family friend raised $21K+ for Leier’s wife Heather and their two young children. The Leiers were well-known in the community, and locals outside Sooke also may remember them being in the news for having the Island’s first baby of 2020 (their son Reese is now four).

Around the 'Shore

🏢 RBCM announces collections and research building title: The Royal BC Museum has just announced the new Colwood collections and research building’s name will be called PARC Campus, which stands for Provincial Archives, Research and Collections. The name was developed through consultation with Royal BC Museum employees and the province. The building is set to open in 2026. 

⚠️ Sooke businesses face rise in shoplifting cases: Store managers in Sooke have been reporting a rise in shoplifting, with an increase in both the frequency of incidents and value of content stolen. Police encourage businesses to report the thefts, as it can help prevent further shoplifting from occurring. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

🏡 Now selling! Rowhomes at Royal Bay with suites and no strata fees. Discover the advantages of buying at presale prices. Register on the website.*

🔥 Fire inspectors investigate early morning Colwood fire: Inspectors are looking for the causes of a fire at a vacant home in Colwood after Langford, Colwood, and View Royal fire departments responded and a firefighter was injured. The firefighter received minor injuries after falling through the main floor into the basement; according to Langford fire, the building was set to be demolished soon. [Times Colonist] 

🦀 What’s your go-to seafood spot? Voting is open for the Tasting Victoria Awards. Vote for the best seafood, sushi, pizza, burger, and more!

🛠️ Colquitz River Bridge upgrades:  On Tuesday, Sidney Coles reported on the Colquitz River Bridge upgrades. Read part two of that story on Capital Daily that dives into how this project could lead to more cars and more traffic.

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Community Events

💐 Bloom Market: Made by Market’s Bloom Market is back in town, with their event coming March 23. With 38 vendors, a kids corner, photo opportunities, and gin cocktails, the market will go from 11am to 3pm and is free for anyone to attend. 

🌊 French Beach World Water Day Cleanup: Join Surfrider South Vancouver Island this March 24 for the French Beach World Water Day clean-up. Going from 11am to 1pm, members will collect waste which will be measured and recorded at the end of the event to help develop a data set to identify some of the main types of local pollution found on beaches. Surfrider hosts beach clean-ups throughout the year. 

🥓 Bacon Beer and Bourbon Festival: The Bacon, Beer, and Bourbon festival is taking Langford by storm for its second year, and the team has just announced that tickets will be going on sale soon. The festival, which will take place late June, has expanded its grounds and will feature a new games area and more vendor and lounging space. Those subscribed to the festival’s newsletter can access early-bird tickets; for the general public, tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 22. 

What’s Offshore?

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Westshore Snaps

Sunrise on the way to Nanaimo. —Paul Young, Langford 

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