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- Jan 28 – New speedway could be on the way
Jan 28 – New speedway could be on the way
PFC brings back old friends. Dentist gets $1.47M in lawsuit. Sooke Fire taking ambulance calls, mayor says.

Hello there!
More than two years ago, I got the chance to experience the final night of the Western / West Shore Speedway—and to meet many of the people who were passionate about it. That passion hasn't had much of an outlet since the old track's closure. But early indications are that that may change soon.
More on that in today's newsletter, along with another blast of local sporting nostalgia as PFC brings back two of its original soccer stars.
— Cam
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NEWS
Plans for a new South Island speedway slowly taking shape

At the final races of 2022, cars, drivers, and pit crews gather on the home stretch to meet fans, sign autographs, and chat in between the opening races and the main events. All file photos: James MacDonald / Capital Daily & The Westshore
The region has been without a motorsports track since fall 2022 when Western Speedway / West Shore Motorsports Park shut down permanently to make way for a development.
At the time, it was Canada's oldest speedway and a community hub for hundreds of car-rally enthusiasts. For most of its 68 years, its spring-summer season hosted stock cars, sprint cars, Old Time Racing Association cars, drag racers, monster trucks—and even NASCAR series in the 1970s and ‘80s.
The business park replacing it is slated to open this year. But a new home for car rallying has been in limbo. For 2.5 years, enthusiasts have had to head up to Black Creek or over to the mainland to get their laps in.

Mementos adorn one of the rally cars at the final event.
Last update came last November
The Vancouver Island Safe Speed Association gave an update after its fall 2024 gala in Metchosin.
There, VISSA president Steve Copp told supporters that the organization had looked for new sites in “Langford, Gold Stream Heights, CRD, CVRD, Malahat Nation, Victoria Fish and Game Property, Industrial property in the Shawnigan Mill Bay area, the Kinzett Quarry property, Cowichan First Nations Land, Youbou,” and more.
However, some sites “are too small, too rough and rocky and costly to develop, while others have creeks, rivers or riparian issues.” He did mention that there had been promising talks with the Chief Administrative Officer of an undisclosed First Nation in the lower part of the Island.
New update cautiously optimistic
Former Westshore Speedway manager Daryl Crocker told CHEK this past week that there has been “daily back and forth” with one of the local First Nations (he also did not disclose which one). Now operating as a VISSA board member, Crocker also said that sportsfields for kids may end up being involved in the project.
The talks are still at an early stage, he cautioned, but “both sides are excited.”

Take a look back at the old Western Speedway as racers took their last laps in the legendary track in 2022, with photos by James MacDonald.
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SPORTS
Pacific FC brings back a pair from its championship team—including the first player it ever signed

Marco Bustos (L) and Kadin Chung (middle) in the 2021 season. Photo: CPL / PFC
Langford's pro soccer club is now old enough to have nostalgic reunions with stars from the glory days.
Kadin Chung first joined (and joined first) back in 2018. After winning the 2021 championship for the local club, he signed with Toronto FC and became just the third-ever Canadian Premier League player to make the jump to Major League Soccer. Now back in the CPL, he's returning to his “second home.”

PFC promo photo of Kadin Chung
Pacific FC is also bringing back another 2021 champ: Marco Bustos, who left the league while he was in the top-5 all-time for both goals and assists. He's now further seasoned by two years with IFK Värnamo in the top Swedish league, and capped off his stint there by providing a crucial assist that saved the team from relegation to a lower tier.
He now returns to the team for which he remains the all-time assists leader, and where he nearly won league MVP in 2021 before missing time—including, ultimately, the title game—with injury.
That's left Bustos with some unfinished business. For him, and the team, the goal isn't just to reminisce about the glory days—it's to resume them.
Chung said he's grateful to be able to come back to the place that welcomed him when he arrived as a “young kid" and to pay the fans back he wants to “recreate the period I was with the club before, and bring another championship to the Island.”
Around the 'Shore
⚖ View Royal dentist gets $1.47M in suit over 2018 rear-ender: Passenger Cameron Harris was a dental student at the time. His suit argued that his injuries have harmed his quality of life (particularly physical recreation); led to hundreds of physical treatment sessions; and lost him money at the practice he launched in 2020 because he needs to take breaks to rest his hand. [Times Colonist]
🚒🚑 Firefighters having to respond to ambulance calls, Sooke mayor says: The paramedics’ union argued earlier this month that BCEHS was understaffed and weakening ambulance services. Now Maja Tait says that to pick up the slack Sooke Fire Rescue responded to 800 medical calls last year—an 18% increase, now representing two thirds of its total calls. [Black Press]
💜 After Langford man’s toxic drug death, sister launches sibling support group
Five years ago, Stephanie Harrington lost her brother Ian during early Covid days and struggled to process the loss. Two weeks ago she ran her first meeting, through Healing Hearts Canada, for bereaved siblings like her. [CBC]
💰 Sooke seeks applications for its 2025 Community Grants: The district's grants give locals up to $7K for up to 3 years for their proposed projects in the categories of arts, sports, heritage safety, beautification, community development, and sustainability.
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Community Events
📚 Sooke library events this week: Pop-up StoryWalk, hiking safety seminar, and more. [Schedule]
🏒 Westshore Wolves play on Weds. & Fri. [JDF Rec event list]
📃 Metchosin public hearing on Feb. 3 (Monday) to get public input on proposed technical changes to details of the 2010 OCP. [Details]
🏒 Victoria Grizzlies host Prince George Spruce Kings on Sat. at 6pm. The team just acquired 2005-born defenceman Brody Juck via trade. [Tickets]
👟 Wounded Warrior Run BC Gala Dinner is Sat. 6:30pm at the Ocean Pointe Resort. [Info]
⚽️ Langford hosts international soccer as Calgary's Cavalry FC comes over to a warmer place to host its leg of the Concacaf inter-league tourney. [Tickets]
☕ Coffee with the Mayor in Metchosin will next happen on Feb. 13.
What’s Offshore?
🌊 Off Colwood coast: No ships right now
🚢🚢 Further out near Victoria: Global Gold (2012-built bulk carrier sailing from Port Alberni under Panama flag) & Megan Glory (2023-built crude oil tanker sailing from Long Beach under Marshall Islands flag)
Westshore Snaps

Light through a frosty pane gives us this fascinating image from Gary Woodburn. What do its shapes look like to you? Spiderwebs? Islands and continents?
📸 Snapped a photo you’d like to share? Send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.
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