Good morning!

The Langford Residents Association is looking for community involvement as it begins to plan a youth activity space for the area. Hoping for input, feedback, and advice, the group is opening its doors in hopes of bridging a gap for more youth-centric spaces.

— Emma

NEWS

A Langford group pitches a youth project to bring the community together

A Langford group hopes to expand the community, as it works on a proposal to incorporate a new youth space into the city. Langford Residents Association (LRA) was registered as a non-profit society in March 2023 after a group of six local friends came together and wanted to add more to the community. President Jeff Byam says the goal is to focus on enhancing services and building community within Langford. The LRA has come together to propose a project to create a “hang-out space” for youth to provide more activities and a free space where young poeple can spend time together.

“Although my kids are grown adults now, I have neighbours with teenagers and pre-teenagers, and I know other people that talked about the concept of youth programs and how busy it is to get into swimming lessons and other activities,” says Byam. “The combination of that, plus… having a local community association spawned the next level of what we wanted to do and asking others if a youth space or club was needed.”

In hopes of proposing the plan to other members of the community, the LRA began with a presentation to the City of Langford on Tuesday evening, hoping to receive feedback, questions, and concerns from councillors. Byam says the presentation received feedback from councillors on professional involvement, the structure of the centre, and even the involvement of other parts of the Westshore.

“I haven’t been in a volunteer organization that hasn’t grown or changed based on the environment and people's input,” says Byam. “We are very much at the gathering information or discovery phase of this project, and we'll get a real first movement when we talk to community spaces.”

Byam says his group has already arranged meetings with school boards to ask the youth themselves about the plan; he adds that this project is just in its beginning stages and the group has plans to take things step by step.

“We're hoping the first couple of weeks in October to put the concept in front of youth,” says Byam. “If they tell us ‘that's not what we need’, then we start over again.”

Looking for volunteers and others to join this project, Byam says there are many opportunities for people to get involved.

“We see [members of the community] as stakeholders, partners; we know [there’s] strength in numbers,” says Byam.

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In Other News

Sooke’s Mayor Maja Tait to be acclaimed as federal NDP candidate

In early August, it was announced that Sooke Mayor Maja Tait decided to take on a large role within the federal New Democratic Party. This evening, Tait will be nominated as the NDP’s Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke candidate at 6:30pm at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre in Esquimalt.

In attendance will be current NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who recently traveled to Nanaimo for a meet-and-greet with MP Lisa Marie Barron, who will also discuss the pressures on family budgets due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Tait has served on Sooke city council since 2008, and served two terms as a councillor. She was elected as mayor in 2014, and re-elected in 2018 and 2022. The news came after MP Randall Garrison announced his retirement after 12 years; Garrison is also expected to be in attendance at the event.

To read more about local election stories, head to the Westshore. 

Thunderstorms start a now-controlled fire at King Creek near Sooke

Recent thunderstorms caused a fire to break out at King Creek this past Monday around 6:30pm. Responders expect lightning to be the cause.

The fire got up to approximately a quarter of a hectare in size, but BC Wildfire Service officials were finally able to get the burning under control on Wednesday. An initial attack crew remains on scene to ensure safety.

While severe thunderstorms are not currently in the forecast, the dry weather has made it easy for lightning to start a wildfire; 60% of wildfires are caused by lightning strikes.

The Sooke Fire Department recently announced that people should continue to stay aware and safe. While August is coming to end, the continuous dry weather has led to the worst fires Canada has seen.

To read more about fire safety, head to The Westshore.

Around the 'Shore

🛑 Langford construction worker speaks out about dangerous drivers: Langford resident Rachel Camire, who works as a traffic control person, has talked about the danger she faces as unsafe drivers cause great concern for crashes or erratic driving in construction areas. Camire has seen drivers distracted who blow through the stop or slow signs, and has even received threats from drivers angered at the slow zone. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

🍽️ Former military member Belinda LeBlanc receives reward for selfless volunteer work: A longtime Langford Royal Canadian Legion chef and volunteer, LeBlanc dedicated her life to feeding others. LeBlanc does her work unpaid, and for her selfless actions, LeBlanc received a brand new kitchen to create her well-loved food in. [Goldstream Gazette]

🌳 Arts and Culture Colwood Society and Parks Canada present 'In Sight Festival' September 9 and 10 at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Free admission!*

🚨 West Shore RCMP warns locals not to join in on gang behaviour: RCMP announced on Aug. 30 that they had seen an online invitation asking people to come out and ride with an outlaw motorcycle gang. Hoping to warn people of the dangers, crew attended and are hoping people become educated on the dangers of gang life.

🩰 Early bird special for The Westshore readers. Save 20% off adult tickets for Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker. Limited time only. Promo code: Nut-Westshore at Royal and McPherson Theatres or 250-386-6121.*

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🎶 Music in the Park: Enjoy some jams while you weigh in on the community, with an information session about the North Latoria Visioning Project running at the final Music in the Park for the summer. Head to Lagoon Beach this Sept. 2 from 5 to 7pm to listen to a performance from Rock of Ages while asking questions, giving feedback, and learning about the upcoming project.

🎨 Hann Made Markets: As summer ends, so do the summer markets. Hann Made Market’s final event is Sept. 3 at the Langford Station from 11am to 4pm. With a bundle of artisan spotlights, make sure to check out the event before it's gone.

📑 Job Fair: Looking for a job? Langford’s job fair hosted by the WorkBC Centre Westshore and Sooke is just around the corner, and free to attend at the Sheraton from 1 to 5pm. On Sept. 5, meet a variety of different employers with different occupations and experiences while finding the perfect fit for you.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Trail from French Beach to French Beach campground. –Richard Steward, View Royal

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