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Good morning!

Exciting news in the community as the Sooke Harbour House announced a tentative date for its re-opening. After Timothy Durkin took control of the luxury hotel through an elaborate fraud, the news of the renovations coming to a close are a good turn of events for the community. Locals can also look forward to a potentially new form of transportation—Colwood signed on to the light-rail trial proposed for the Westshore.

— Emma

NEWS

Sooke Harbour House announces new team members

The Sooke Harbour House team is getting excited to re-open the doors after a lengthy investigation, followed by renovations. After the British Columbia Securities Commission finding that Timothy Durkin defrauded an investor of $1 million, the Harbour House was eventually purchased by IAG Enterprises. IAG’s chief operating officer Alex Watson has now announced the team of people who will be re-opening the doors to the historic site.

“As renovations near completion the goal is to open the hotel as well as both the dining room and lounge in late fall or early winter of 2023,” says Watson.

Watson also named Melissa Craig as executive chef, and her partner Andre-Saint Jacques will be taking over as managing partner.

“The award-winning chef leaves Whistler’s iconic Bearfoot Bistro after two decades to bring her innovative and elevated modern Canadian cuisine to the historic inn on the ocean,” Watson says. “In addition Saint-Jacques [will be] bringing with him his unique ability for creating extraordinary experiences.”

Locals who have a love for the Sooke Harbour House can expect to hear more updates in the months ahead as Watson and the team gear up for re-opening.

Head to Capital Daily to read Tori Marlan’s stories on Durkin and the Sooke Harbour House.

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NEWS

Colwood looking to other municipalities as it joins View Royal in light-rail support

With an expected 33% population growth over the next decade in the Westshore, a new plan to implement a light rail throughout the region might just be the answer to the increased traffic. Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi joined View Royal mayor Sid Tobias in supporting the project, saying he hopes that this might change the course of commuting.

“We have monthly mayors' meetings and [Tobias] was telling us all about it and he was looking for some support,” says Kobayashi. “I’m of the opinion that right now we have to raise the bar again on this discussion about rail or whatever other type of mode of transport.”

Vancouver-based ThinkEco Power Inc. and UK-based Penmark initially proposed a six-month trial period in which they would test the train’s speed, safety, and functions at no cost. ThinkEco is looking to use and widen a section of the Galloping Goose Trail, and is hoping to get approval from the Capital Regional District. While awaiting approval from the province, Kobayashi said the proposal is something that needs to be supported and heard.

“It’s certainly not the panacea to all our transportation woes here, but it is another option; there's all kinds of trials and people are trying to prove these technologies around the world right now,” says Kobayashi.

The light rail is a battery powered train, and is a great way to reduce noise, carbon emissions, and travel time. A study done by UK Tram shows that 282 million trips were made between March 2018 and 2019, also indicating the high usage of the system.

“If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but if it does, we have an option and it certainly sounds like it's cheaper, speeds are up to about 90 kilometres an hour, and depending on how you configure the train, you can get seatings ranging from about 56 to about 200 people,” says Kobayashi.

While the tests are still not approved, Kobayashi says that he hopes other communities join in and support the plan.

“The municipalities are trying to take the initiative so we don't lose sight of this right now because [transportation] is going to change at worst—unfortunately, everyone's looking short-term right now when the reality is we're going to be easily over 500,000 people here in Victoria in about 10 to 15 years,” says Kobayashi. “We’re trying to ease the challenges of existing transportation right now, looking at everything that is viable right now, and this is when it comes at no cost to us.”

Around the 'Shore

💊 View Royal traffic stop leads to drug seizure: Westshore RCMP was conducting a search on a man suspected of outstanding warrants when officers found a large amount of drugs and weapons in his backpack. While the man was not the offender RCMP was looking for, he is expected to face charges of drug trafficking. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

⚠️ RidgeView warning signs removed: After evacuating the building April 25, the City of Langford has taken down warning signs outside of RidgeView Place. There has still been no information released to the public about the building or the initial issue. [CHEK]

🚓 Police seek man suspected in an assault in a Langford restaurant: Westshore RCMP is asking the public to phone in any information to 250-474-2264 about a male who assaulted another man at Brown’s Social House on July 3. The man is described to be white with dark hair, 30 to 35 years old. [CTV]

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Community Events

🍻 Beer Festival: The Langford Beer Festival is returning for the second year and is expanding into the Starlight Stadium field this July 15. From 3 to 8pm, you can purchase tickets to walk around with your friends and enjoy over 80 craft beers, a range of vendors, and live music.

🏖️ Beach Music: On July 15, Langford locals can head to Lagoon beach from 5 to 7pm to enjoy delicious food from an assortment of food trucks while dancing along to The Soul Shakers.

💸 Burger and beer night fundraiser: To support local Makayla, who is representing Team Canada at the World Hip Hop, Popping, & Breakdancing Championships in Poland this year, a fundraiser is going to be held at Mr. Mikes steakhouse in Langford on July 16 from 6 to 8pm. With a silent auction and food provided, all proceeds are going towards the competition.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 #1 The Ever Sigma is a container ship built in 2005 and is sailing under the flag of the United Kingdom. It is sailing from Tacoma, United States 🇺🇸 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive July 2.

⛴ #2 The Villars is a bulk carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing to ➡ Roberts Bank 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive July 4.

🛳 #3 The United Adventure is a bulk carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan 🇯🇵 ➡ Roberts Bank 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive July 9.

SPONSORED BY PAUL BRUM

Cleaning hacks from a REALTOR®!

If you’ve ever sold a home, you’ve probably been told that a good way to add appeal to your home is by doing a deep cleaning of key areas.

On his blog, REALTOR® Paul Brum goes through some simple cleaning hacks, using things that you probably already have in the cupboards!

Westshore Snaps

Sunrise July 12. – Paul Young, Langford

That’s it!

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