Good morning, 

The Langford Station has added a new piece to their popular Fridays at the Station event as they continue to grow their presence in the community. The newest addition to the programming focuses on highlighting the local vendors in the area. Read all about it and more in today’s edition of the newsletter.

— Emma

HOUSING

New provincial program gives Sooke future housing opportunities

Housing development opportunities in Sooke have been growing over the past few months, and that trend is continuing with the help of a new program called BC Builds. BC Builds, a platform created by BC Housing, aims to connect residential developers and housing operators to landowners of pre-zoned sites, and one of those builds is in Sooke.  

The development at 6671 Wadams Way was proposed as a way to reimagine and add more interest into the town centre as a mixed-use property. Sitting within the north end of the town’s centre, the site is split into four quadrants and is known as Lot A. Host to 2.1 hectares of partially forested and undeveloped land, the site also includes the new Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library in quadrant one, which was recently recognized for its ability to bring programs into the community and help build relationships with residents. 

Developers are looking to create a multi-use residential building with a variety of amenities. One goal is to incorporate the Sooke Region Community Health Centre—Urgent and Primary Care Centre (CHC-UPCC) to give primary and walk-in care in the building. Plans detail that developers aim to use around 15,000 square feet of the first and second floors of the residential build for the primary and walk-in care, and an additional 15,000 square feet for other health care services. Along with this, plans mention hopes to develop amenities like a youth centre, public plaza, a year-round farmers market, a centre for seniors, and more. 

Currently, there are a few steps that have to take place before construction begins; the zoned land has been posted on the BC Builds site and proposals for the project must be submitted by July 29 for a joint evaluation by a committee made up of members from the BC Builds team and District of Sooke. From there, the committee will select the successful proponents, BC Builds will sign a Conditional Land Contribution letter (CLC), and then the development will undergo construction within 12 to 18 months of signing the CLC. 

The BC Builds program works as a collaboration, with BC Builds facilitating partnership agreements and lease terms to help find low-cost and underused land, provide low-interest financing and funding, build more rental homes, and speed up project timelines to reduce development timelines. Created in February, these projects are aimed at middle-income households who are spending approximately no more than 30% of their income on rent to help reduce cost. Additionally, at least 20% of units will have rents that are at least 20% below market rate for projects in partnership with non-profits and First Nations. 

While the process is still in the works, BC Builds will continue to update residents and the community about the development.

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EVENTS

New addition to Fridays at the Station boosts community support

Fridays at the Station are a well-loved pop-up summer event that puts the spotlight on local businesses at the Langford Station. Originally created by the Victoria Beers Society as an event to highlight beer, businesses along Station Avenue in the shipping container units didn't see much of a selling opportunity; this is why Shayla Hann, creator of Hann Made Designs and a vendor, decided to help pitch the idea of adding a market. 

“We just thought adding on a market this year would be a great idea to just bring more of the community together,” said Hann. “The vendors there at the Station wanted another way to bring more people down there and bring awareness to this community.” 

Hann Made Designs is a mother-daughter duo that creates resin art, and like many of the other vendors, have been working at the Station since its opening in 2022. Hann has been pushing for a market portion for a while, and while residents check out her products, she says that having a lineup of vendors that work both within and outside of the Station will be a benefit to all in the community. 

The addition of the market coincides with the recent recognition that the Langford Station received. The Station took home the Community Project Award from British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) for its role in supporting the city’s economy. Winning the award for continuous success in building relationships and revenue opportunities, the recognition of the Station is the push local vendors needed to suggest adding a market to the Friday events.

“The city sent out a group email to every vendor at the Station and kind of said ‘if there is someone that wants to take this on, we will help with advertising and everything’,” said Hann. “I was excited to see that the city had won that [community] award; it's still very new, and that's why I wanted to add the markets to the Friday nights at the Station—to bring more awareness to Station Avenue.” 

Fridays at the Station take place from May 3 to August 23 from 4 to 8pm. Community members get the opportunity to enjoy live music, sample from delicious food trucks, taste-test local beer flights, and browse local businesses and artist studios. The city also hosts a number of different events at the location, and posts updates and information regularly on its website. 

“We're very excited to see what else comes from it, we know that the city is planning lots of different events and it’s a great spot to get the community together,” said Hann. “It's amazing what they're doing to acknowledge the small businesses in our community, and I'm just very happy that I'm a part of it.”

Around the 'Shore

🎓 Royal Roads University awarding honorary degree to Suzanne Simard: UBC professor Suzanne Simard, will be Royal Roads University’s honorary doctorate recipient at the June 14 convocation. Simard, who was recently featured as one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2024 list in the icon category, is known for researching forest renewal practices that protect biodiversity against climate change and has over 200 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Ecology, and Global Biology. 

🚔 Police teach students about their work: West Shore RCMP Community Policing Unit Cst. John Varely visited Westmont Montessori School last week to help discuss police work and build relationships. Varley showed students his police vest and some of the tools RCMP officers carry with them, as well as let some of the students try on the vest. West Shore RCMP holds events like this to build community relationships and connect with the residents around them. 

💰 Bear Mountain owner owes creditor unpaid loan: Creditor Sanovest is pressing Bear Mountain owners to repay the $62 million loan that was due on May 1, and has filed a claim asking the owners to enter receivership. Bear Mountain has not filed a counterclaim, but has 21 days to file a response from when the claim was filed, which occurred on May 22. [CHEK]

Community Events

📝 Summer educational series: This June 1, join the Arts and Culture Colwood Society for their first class in their summer arts education series at the Goldfinch Building. Going from 2 to 4pm, listen to a presentation from local artist, curator, and art educator Kathleen Schmalz who will share ways for artists to improve their chances in adjudicated shows and improve on professionalism. Tickets are available online. 

🎉 Langford GearBox launch: Learn more about inclusivity in outdoor recreation with the GearBox Launch at 1109 Langford Parkway. On June 1 from 11am to 3pm, join the community and check out a range of rental and shared outdoor recreational adaptive devices that aim to help in Langford’s accessibility. With food trucks, activities, demonstrations, and more, this event is family-friendly and free to attend. 

🎨 Sooke youth artists fair: Head to the Sooke Community Hall this May 31 for the Sooke youth art fair. Going from 5 to 9pm, there will be an abundance of food, art, games, vendors, prizes and more. If you can’t make this youth fair, there will be another event coming up on June 14, so pick the date that works best for you.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Whiffin Spit. —Richard Steward, View Royal

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