Good morning! 

Langford has become a popular area to host sporting events in Greater Victoria, but it wasn’t chosen as the host city for the BC Lions game that is coming to the Island next year. Read about that and more in today’s edition of the Westshore.

— Emma

NEWS

Langford loses out to Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park to host BC Lions game next year

Last week, it was announced that the BC Lions will be playing a regular-season game at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park, but many in Langford are wondering why the city lost the bid for the game. 

In a post on Facebook, Langford outlined it had been in the running of hosting the game just this past January, as the Canadian Football League’s commissioner and representatives from the BC Lions held an event in Langford and discussed the potential of using Starlight Stadium as the venue. Despite the rumours and excitement, the league went on to announce last Wednesday that the game, titled Touchdown Pacific, would be hosted at Royal Athletic Park instead. 

“When the City heard the news of the game being awarded to the City of Victoria, staff reached out to the President of the BC Lions to understand the determining factors related to this decision,” the post says. “Staff have yet to hear back however wanted to take this opportunity to update residents and local sports fans.”

The Facebook post also outlined that a BC Hydro pole was moved earlier this year to be able to activate the north side of the Stadium, and although undetermined, staff estimated the venue could seat between 8,000 and 10,000 people—Royal Athletic Park estimates it would seat around 12,000 to 14,000. 

“Langford Council remains committed to the activation of Starlight Stadium in creative ways to maximize capacity to continue to attract high-performance sports matches and concerts,” the statement continued. “The City will provide a further update on this matter if it learns more from the BC Lions and will remain in active discussions with the franchise for a future game.”

Expanding sports exposure in the Westshore 

Many sports fans were curious about the decision not only from a revenue perspective, but also from an exposure point of view. Throughout the past few months, the Westshore and Greater Victoria have been host to multiple large sporting events. 

Colwood hosted the Lawn Bowling Championships in August, marking the third time the event has come to the area. Langford also hosted the Rugby 7s Olympic qualifiers in the same month, and went on to watch Pacific FC fight for a championship, and the Westshore Rebels placed second in Canada after an undefeated regular season. 

Perhaps the largest event to come to Starlight Stadium in recent months was this weekend’s women’s national team soccer match against Australia, which also marked Christine Sinclair’s second last game with the team. A capacity crowd of more than 6,000 showed up to celebrate Sinclair and fellow retiring Olympic gold-medallist Sophie Schmidt at Starlight Stadium on Friday. Selling out the arena, the game broke records as Vancouver Island’s largest crowd to attend a women’s national team match, and Starlight Stadium’s record for attendees. The team went on to win 5-0 against Australia. 

Despite not winning the bid for the Touchdown Pacific game, Langford says it will continue to push for exposure and look for more opportunities to bring large sporting events to the Westshore.

NEWS

View Royal and Esquimalt will renew contracts with Ellice Recycle

The homegrown commercial and residential waste management firm that has been operating in the region since 1994 was the low bidder, earning the two councils’ approval to keep on trucking.

Ellice Recycle’s current contract ends Dec. 31, and the new one which begins the following day, will keep Ellice deep in yard and garden waste for three more years.

Under the current contract, Esquimalt and View Royal collectively pay Ellice $19,743 per month, ($236,916 per annum) but that’s going to increase next year to $323,400. The rising cost of organic and yard waste collection will be shared proportionately between the two municipalities. Under a cost-sharing agreement, the larger Esquimalt will pay 63% of the freight, with View Royal picking up the rest.  

The amount of yard and garden waste Ellice has transported to Esquimalt’s transfer station on Canteen Road has more than doubled to 2002 tons from 958 tons, reflecting a similar doubling in the number of residents relying on the service.

The CRD imposed a ban on depositing yard and garden waste at the Hartland Landfill in 2006.  It was in response to this ban that Esquimalt and View Royal entered into a partnership for the operation of a transfer station and processing of the yard and garden waste stream. The tonnage represents the fulfillment of the township’s Climate Action Plan goal to divert organics from landfill. 

The new contract will begin Jan. 1, 2024, and end Dec. 31, 2026.

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Investigation conducted after home invasion involving firearm: West Shore RCMP are looking for a suspect involved in a home invasion near the 3000 block at Glen Lake Road in Langford on Dec. 1. The suspect allegedly pulled out a black handgun after facing the homeowner’s dogs, and ran away causing no harm to the victim or his animals; police are still searching for the man, and are asking residents to send in security footage from around 4-6pm on Dec. 1 to see if they can identify the home invader. 

🚗 Sooke Road reopens after vehicle crash: The Sooke Road stretch of Highway 14 has reopened after it was reduced to single-lane alternating traffic on Dec. 3. Drive BC made the announcement after crews attended a red hatchback who had lost control of his vehicle and drove into a ditch; the driver sustained no injuries, and roads are now fully operational. [CHEK]

🌲 Retirement isn’t always a walk in the park. The counsellors at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness help people to navigate later life. Book a free consultation today.*

🎁 View Royal senior makes hundreds of toys for children’s charities: After losing his eye in an accident at age 14, Lynndon Franz began to focus on his creative and capable abilities as a wood-worker. Turning his garage into a Santa-style workshop, the 67-year-old started by gifting his wooden toys to his grandchildren, and has now gone on to donate his creations to children's charities—with many thankful children. Franz is glad that he can give a bit of joy to the community. [CTV]

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🌳 Climate Week: Join Royal Roads Dec. 4 to 8 for a week of online climate action talks. With a number of engaging topics from a variety of experts, activists, artists and more, the panels will allow you to challenge and think outside the box on how you can help with climate change; make sure to register and secure your free spot, as a number of the events are still available to join. 

🎼 Sooke Community Choir: Looking for a festive family-friendly activity? Head to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church this Dec. 8 and 9 for a performance of “A Winter’s Night With You”. Starting at 7pm on Friday and 2pm on Saturday, tickets are available for purchase at the Sooke Pharmasave or at the door, while kids can attend for free. 

🎄 The Very Merry Makers Market: This Dec 9. and 10, head over to the Old Metchosin School for the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre’s Very Merry Makers Market from 10am to 4pm both days. Host to over 40 unique vendors and makers, this market is a great opportunity to get some local gifts while supporting local businesses.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Recent sunset over Esquimalt Lagoon. —Gary Woodburn, Colwood

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: