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Good morning!

Yesterday the province announced that upgrades to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail are complete. We’ve got more on that in our lead story today, but it got us wondering—what’s your favourite campground or hiking trail in the Westshore? Reply to this email and let us know!

NEWS

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail set to fully reopen May 17

The portion of the trail that runs from Little Kuitshe Creek Campground to the Parkinson Creek Trailhead has been closed for just over six months and will now fully reopen on May 17. The upgrades to the trail include the addition of 50 elevated tent platforms at five backcountry campgrounds.

“The new tent platforms, along with other significant upgrades along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail in recent years, improve visitors’ experiences while they enjoy this amazing backcountry hike that showcases the beauty and power of BC’s coast,” said George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy.

Ten new tent platforms have been added to Mystic Beach, Bear Beach, Chin Beach, Little Kuitshe Creek, and Payzant Creek, and food caches were also installed at each campground.

For those who are hiking and not camping, trail improvements include about 600 metres of stepped boardwalk, 20 new staircases, 19 new foot bridges between Little Kuitshe Creek and Parkinson Creek, and new engineered bridges at Kuitshe Creek and Hoard Creek.

The project cost just over $900,000 and is part of $2.1 million in upgrades to the 47-kilometre-long wilderness trail over the last four years. Most of the upgrades are now available to the public, but the portion between Little Kuitshe Creek campground and Parkinson Creek trailhead remains closed to finish upgrades and will reopen May 17.

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NEWS

RidgeView residents voice concerns and feedback to city on poor handling of building evacuation

Displaced RidgeView Place residents addressed Langford city council in a heated meeting Monday night, where residents were able to ask questions about the cause of evacuation—questions that the city did not have answers to.

When asked by resident Tyler Samson what was wrong with the building, Mayor Scott Goodmanson said this had not been identified.

Goodmanson said that two structural engineers and a concrete specialist conducted a visual inspection of the building the weekend prior to evacuation, alerting building owner Centurion Property Associates that RidgeView should be vacated. He said they will not have an answer on the exact cause until a thorough examination of the building is completed.

The building had its occupancy license revoked by Langford after the city received a letter from Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of BC on April 17, stating that there were unresolved structural design flaws that had not been repaired after a 2019 evacuation.

“This is an invasive investigation that will take a long time,” Goodmanson said. “As frustrating as that is, they can’t go in there and do what they need to do until everyone is out.”

Samson said he found it “alarming” that the city did not know this information. According to him, there are still several residents occupying RidgeView who either can’t leave without alternative housing options or won’t leave because the risk level is not clear.

Many residents said they were disappointed that the city did not reach out to the affected individuals. Resident Ashley MacDonald told councillors that they “should be ashamed” for their lack of support “for nearly 200 of their constituents.”

“I have never received direct communication from any of you and it’s despicable,” MacDonald told councillors. “What we have endured is trauma—there’s no way around that. We are so far past sympathies, prayers.”

Read the full story at Capital Daily.

Around the 'Shore

🚒 Two people in hospital after View Royal fire: The Monday night fire at an apartment building left two people with injuries from smoke inhalation. The fire was contained to one unit and the cause is still under investigation. [CHEK]

🏙️ Colwood Corners development could be tallest on the Island: Developer Onni Group has filed a rezoning application for two towers at 33 storeys high. The mixed-use project has been in the works since 2017 and was originally envisioned as a low-rise community. [Citified]

😵‍💫 There are good reasons for feeling stuck. Explore yours with a counsellor from Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*

🗳️ Sooke mayor eyes NDP nomination: The Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding is currently held by MP Randall Garrison who recently announced he would not seek re-election. Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has been named as a possible replacement. Tait told Victoria News that she is giving it serious consideration. [Victoria News]

🏫 Imagine missing school or work because you don't have menstrual products. One in four face this challenge in BC. Help end period poverty with United Way's Period Promise.*

👮 West Shore RCMP mental health unit: The new unit would help tackle the risk in complex incidents including violent crimes in the West Shore. The detachment is looking to assemble a three-person team, and with funding from the province it would partner with nurses to work as part of the team. [Victoria News]

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SPONSORED BY MP ALISTAIR MACGREGOR

Proudly representing the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding since 2015

As your Member of Parliament, Alistair MacGregor understands that life for Canada’s workers should be getting easier; not harder. If you need assistance with federal agencies, contact him.

Community Events

🍻 Fridays at the Station: Victoria Beer Society is hosting this summer pop-up series starting May 12 until Aug. 25 from 4 to 8pm at the Langford Station. Enjoy live music, food trucks, local businesses, and artist studios, as well as BC craft beer.

🪴 Sooke Garden Club annual sale: The Mother’s Day plant sale will be from 10am to 2pm on May 13 at the Evergreen Shopping Centre in Sooke. Proceeds help fund the club’s monthly educational sessions.

🎗️ Sarah Beckett Memorial Run: In memory of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016, join the run at Starlight Stadium Plaza on May 13 at 10am.

🛹 Westshore Skatepark Grand Opening: The Thrifty Foods skatepark at Juan de Fuca Lower Park is opening on May 13 from 1 to 3pm.

⚽ Pacific FC versus York United FC: The PFC take on Toronto’s York United FC on May 14 at 3pm at Starlight Stadium.

What’s Offshore?

🛳 The Verdure Wave is a bulk carrier built in 2005 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Kinuura, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, and was scheduled to arrive April 14.

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Westshore Snaps

Metchosin’s Judy Auringer took this shot from Metchosin Road coming down the hill toward Royal Bay. It looks out over Albert Head towards Port Angeles, toward what she believes is Hurricane Ridge.