Good morning! 

Canada has been putting their best foot forward in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and more Island athletes are taking home medals after winning big over the weekend. Canada’s women’s eight rowing team, which trains in the South Island, won silver after holding the British off in a tight-race. Nanaimo’s 22-year-old Ethan Katzberg dominated the hammer throw competition, guaranteeing himself a gold medal with his first attempt. A big congratulations to our local athletes, and with that, let’s kick off today’s newsletter.

— Emma

HOUSING

Langford Gateway Developments facing legal battle

Cynterra CEO Bob Fraser, whose company is in charge of the Langford Gateway project, is facing a legal battle with contractors Lanyard Investment Inc. after the group filed foreclosure proceedings in B.C. Supreme Court for failure to pay funds on a development. 

Lanyard Investment Inc. filed foreclosure proceedings in B.C. Supreme Court, alleging Fraser and Langford Gateway Developments had defaulted on their mortgage, and must pay back about $8.2 million, along with daily interest of about $3,000 starting on July 25.

A Langford municipal spokesperson told Times Colonist that the rezoning application for the Langford Gateway project is at the third-reading stage, and that the city is waiting for the applicant to complete requirements before a final decision.

If everything is accomplished, the applicant could then submit applications for a development permit and a building permit. Plans detail that Langford Gateway will have a 22-storey tower and an 18-storey tower with 269 units in total. 

Cynterra’s website states that there were plans for two more buildings in a future phase with about 200 units and office space but, with the recent foreclosure proceedings, both Cynterra and Lanyard will have to wait for a court hearing to see what the future of the development will be. 

Lawsuit after lawsuit

Cynterra group has struggled with their Kelowna location, after the Investigative Journalism Foundation reported on troubles surrounding Cynterra Group’s Promontory development, a 120-unit townhouse development on the southeast slope of Knox Mountain on Boynton Place. Promontory, along with the Langford Gateway, is one of two projects listed on Cynterra’s website. 

Tensions were high after two arrest warrants were issued for Fraser in connection to the Kelowna project; the CEO had failed to appear in court for a “payment hearing” to determine how the development group would repay two default judgments that had been ordered against Fraser’s company for unpaid security monitoring services and appliances for Promontory. Security company Six Technologies was set to receive $34,000, while Trail Appliances was expected to receive $46,000.

On July 23, a week after the warrants were issued, Fraser appeared in court in Vancouver and was released after promising to appear at future payment hearings in August and September. “Good god, I don't know what to say other than it'll all get paid in the next few days,” Fraser told the Investigative Journalism Foundation.

The Investigative Journalism Foundation had already reported that Cynterra, its predecessor Evest Funds, and their partnered companies have faced at least a dozen lawsuits from contractors, citing payment issues on construction, supplies, and more. The majority of those suits are related to the Promontory project, which Fraser called one of the hardest development projects due to a number of reasons, including a lack of funding.

“They pulled out on us and that caused cash flow problems, but all of this has been worked out now,” Fraser told the Investigative Journalism Foundation. 

Lanyard's allegations have not been tested in court and neither Fraser nor Langford Gateway Developments has formally responded to Lanyard's petition to the court.

The Westshore has reached out to Cynterra for comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.

RECREATION

West Shore RCMP keep kids active with NHL Street

Over the past six weeks, West Shore RCMP has partnered with the Victoria Police Department to host “NHL Street”, a program that was designed as an inclusive and accessible league that focuses on keeping kids active, no matter their hockey experience. With the program coming to a close on July 30, officers involved said that the program was a great success, and that getting involved in the community is one of the most important parts of their job. 

“It’s a good way to keep kids busy in the summer and it’s a really good way for us as the police, outside of the school year, to maintain contact with youth and interact in such a positive and fun way,” said Constable Cole Brewer from West Shore’s Indigenous and Community Policing Unit.

The program was originally launched by VicPD and the Victoria Royals last year, but with so many kids wanting to join, the decision was made to expand the program to the Westshore. From June 25 to July 30, the Victoria Police Department hosted games outside the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre downtown and West Shore RCMP at Starlight Stadium in Langford. 

“One of the things that NHL Street allows us to do is really enhance the partnership we have with our local police departments,” said VicPD Chief Constable Del Manak, who pointed out the importance of combined events between the departments. “The RCMP in West Shore are amazing; we work together very well with them on many different initiatives.” 

A big aspect of the games was having officers be involved in refereeing and volunteering, allowing kids to interact with police in a positive manner instead of enforcing rules and regulations (well, except for the rules of the game). 

“Road hockey is something a lot of kids enjoy doing—they get to play with their friends, get to meet new friends,” said Manak. “And through sport it allows the police departments like the RCMP and the Victoria Police Department to connect with youth at a different level”

Around the 'Shore

🔥 Sooke Mayor takes in wildfire effects: Sooke Mayor Maja Tait was able to fully appreciate how hard BC Wildfire services were working after she visited the Old Man Lake site that is now being considered contained. Tait thanked emergency services, with firefighters facing challenging terrain that led to difficulty accessing the eastern flank until parachute crews were deployed. [Times Colonist] 

🗺️ Topography survey Metchosin: Safety concerns along Duke Road East in Metchosin have the district council looking into the installation of a 2.3-kilometre roadside trail. A meeting with the Metchosin Parks and Trails Advisory Committee was held on July 31, discussing a $20,000 topographical survey to understand the road usage better. Trail plans are still in the feasibility and assessment stage. [Goldstream Gazette] 

🌳 View Royal announces free tree program: The Town of View Royal is getting just a little bit greener after announcing a free tree planting program for residents to partake in. On Aug. 1, View Royal announced that the program would be ongoing until Aug. 21, encouraging residents to start their own canopy in their yard one tree at a time. The program is entirely funded through income received through the Town's tree removal permitting process, which has allowed View Royal to give the trees to residents for free.

Community Events

🎤 Open mic night: Enjoy an evening of open mic performances this Aug. 8 at the Sooke Oceanside Brewery. Hosted every Thursday until Aug. 29, the event goes from 7 to 11pm and is free for anyone to join. 

🧘🏼‍♀️ Free yoga: This Aug. 8, head down to Meadow Park in Royal Bay for an evening of free yoga. Going from 6 to 7pm, free yoga is hosted every Thursday until the end of August for all levels, just make sure to bring your own water bottle and yoga mat.

🌽 Goldstream Farmers Market: Check out the Goldstream Farmers Market this Aug. 10 at Veterans Memorial Park. Open every Saturday from 10am to 2pm until October, vendors offer a variety of homemade or locally sourced items to shop from.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Island View Beach. —Deb Dodds, View Royal

That’s it!

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