Together with

Hello there!

We’ve received a few inquiries recently about how to get an event featured in our Community Events section of the newsletter. It’s easy, just send the event information over to us at [email protected] and we will add it to our list of local events to include. Whether you’re organizing an event, or just heard about something that you think locals would be interested in, let us know.

COMMUNITY

Wildwood Saunas finds new home at Royal Beach

After having to vacate its original home at Esquimalt Lagoon, Wildwood Saunas has found a new home at Royal Beach in Colwood. The popular sauna destination on the Westshore, which has been running since January under a provisional permit from the City of Colwood, will be operational at Royal Beach for the next six months. 

The move came after Colwood council raised objections regarding the commercialization of the ecologically delicate Esquimalt Lagoon and necessitated that the company find an alternative location such as Royal Beach. The company’s founder, Josh Dupuis, began negotiations with the Royal Beach team to allow for the transfer. 

“The relocation to Royal Beach from Esquimalt Lagoon was a positive and exciting move for our team,” Dupuis said. “We are excited to have a secure new location for the next six months. We can now focus on developing new ideas to enhance our customer experience. Our team is excited about the potential of this new location and the possibilities that it brings.” 

While the move is positive, it did raise some setbacks for the team at Wildwood Saunas. “We did face some challenges with the new location. The new beach is no longer sandy and is now filled with rocks, making it more difficult for our customers to access the cold ocean water,” said Dupuis. However the team has constructed new cold tubs to place beside the saunas as a solution for this. “This way, our customers won’t need to walk on the barnacles to access the water, and it also creates cold plunge alternatives for customers who may have mobility limitations,” he said. 

Despite the challenges, Dupuis is optimistic that the new location will attract a new customer base while retaining the loyal fans of the Westshore sauna experience. 

“On our first weekend at the new beach, we saw a 50-50 mix of our regular customers and a lot of new faces that we haven’t seen before. We had some local beach-goers come up and welcome us, so far we have had a very positive community response,” he said. 

Aside from the oceanside sauna experience, Dupuis and his team also build custom electric or wood-fired saunas. They are passionate about creating unique and personalized sauna experiences for the community, he said. 

The move to Royal Beach is good news for those in the Westshore that have been fans of the sauna experience. Those looking to check it out can secure a spot on their website.

By Meriana Plaja

In Other News 

🏙️ Tenants left scrambling by Langford tower’s safety evacuationRidgeview Place, formerly Danbrook One, lost its occupancy permit on Monday after engineers flagged potential flaws remaining in the building despite its remediation. In an echo of the original Dec. 2019 evacuation, tenants scrambled to move out on short notice. Some told the Times Colonist that the building manager gave them a 1-800 number, but that number only directed them to the unresponsive building manager. Some told CHEK that owner Centurion had not sent anybody to help them, but sent a letter listing local hotels and advising that tenant’s insurance should help with their expenses. The building was first evacuated in late 2019 over seismic issues, and two engineers involved in its design lost their licences.

🏒 Million-dollar award to Langford woman struck by puck in 2014A jury awarded Sherry Lynn Matthew $1.05M—for wage loss, cost of care, and pain and suffering—in her suit against arena operators Performance Plus Hockey Inc. A roller hockey game’s puck flew through Eagle Ridge Arena’s netting, injuring Matthew’s eye and nose and concussing her. Her claim cited long-term effects including anxiety and depression, nausea, and problems with vision and focus. [Times Colonist]

Around the 'Shore

🪢 Nearly 1km of rope stolen from Fort Rodd Hill: RCMP said the blue rope was taken from multiple locations along trails, where it protects the ecosystem and walkers.

☀️ Megson FitzPatrick-Acera is coming to The Westshore, summer 2023. As a one-stop brokerage, they offer personal, business, motorcycle, life and health, and auto insurance.*

💰 View Royal community centre gets a boost: The province gave Victoria Highland Games Association $325,000 to support further developments at the Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Centre, in an effort to draw tourists to the Westshore.

🌷 Spring has finally come to the Westshore. But if the weather is bringing less joy than you expected, they're here to help, at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*

💗 A wedding at Langford ReStore: Eric and Denise Christensen met while volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Langford. After two years, the couple decided to give love a go, and when it was time to tie the knot, they decided the best venue would be where it all started. [CHEK]

💖 United Way believes in the power of unity to make a difference in young people's mental health. Give today and help build a stronger, healthier community.*

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🚒 Memorial for Langford Fire Rescue AC Lance Caven: On Saturday, April 29, firefighters will depart Centre Mountain Lellum Middle School at 12pm in a procession down Constellation Way to Westshore Parkway, to Langford Parkway, to Langford Lake Road, culminating at Belmont Secondary. Public are invited to attend the memorial service at Belmont Secondary School gym at 1pm. 

🎵 Choral Evolution: Take a musical journey through classic pop and folk music as Choral Evolution mines life’s moments and the intervals in between creating a rich soundtrack. The performance takes place this weekend on Saturday, April 29 at 7pm and Sunday, April 30 at 2pm at Holy Trinity Church, 1962 Murray Rd. Tickets are $25, and anyone under 16 is free.

⚽ Pacific FC vs. Forge FC: This Sunday, April 30 at 5pm, watch the Pacific FC face off against Hamilton’s Forge FC at Starlight Stadium in Langford. 

What’s Offshore?

⛴ The Ototachibana is a bulk carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Oita, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Roberts Bank, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 7.

🚢 The CS Nan Jing is a bulk carrier built in 2021 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Huanghua, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 11.

🛳 The Verdure Wave is a bulk carrier built in 2005 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Kinuura, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 14.

Westshore Snaps

“Photo from Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park.” — Darcy Page, Colwood