Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association

Connecting neighbours and building a vibrant community

Karen Dearborn

It’s Dry out There!

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It is very dry out there. Please be cautious as you traverse through some of the wilder areas in our parks and on our trails.
 
Mt. Tolmie has seen two small brush fires in the last week – thankfully put out quite quickly. So the concern is very real.
 
Please be careful using any products that can cause sparks or fires and help keep us all safe.
 
Find out more information on protecting your home from brush fires and wildfires at Saanich at https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/fire-prevention-safety/firesmart-program.html

Coffee Grounds for your Plants

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Did you know that coffee grounds can be beneficial for your garden as they improve soil structure, add organic matter, and can help control pests?
 
However, they should be used in moderation to avoid potential negative effects on plant growth.
 
Generally, you can expect left over coffee grounds to contribute a decent amount of nitrogen (around 2%), along with smaller amounts of phosphorus and potassium (roughly 0.3%). You’ll also find traces of some beneficial micronutrients.
 
Coffee grounds lean towards the acidic side with a pH of around 5.0 to 5.5. So, if you have acid loving plants – this is a great way to up the acidity, but do it on the lighter side.
 
Coffee grounds should be dry before putting them directly on soil in your garden. It’s also important that they powdery as they can retain moisture and if applied to thickly, they can prevent needed moisture from getting to roots. Clumps of damp coffee grounds create the perfect conditions for mold growth.
 
Probably the best way to apply coffee grounds to your garden, is to first add them to your compostor and mix well.
 
Also, you can take apart your coffee pods. This isn’t just good for getting grounds, they can now be move easily recyclable. Find out how from RecycleBC at https://recyclebc.ca/coffee-and-recycling/

Thwack! Pickleball!

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It seems that pickleball is sweeping the country. So, are you wondering what this incredibly popular sport is all about?

 
Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It’s played with a solid paddle and a lightweight plastic ball with holes.
 
Pickleball players can compete in singles or doubles on a court the size of a badminton court with a slightly lower net.
 
Pickleball is easy to learn and suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. To get started, you only need to know a few basic rules.
 
Interestingly, pickleball was invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the US quite nearby on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.
 
If you’re already besotted with pickleball – and so many are – find where there are courts in Saanich at https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/parks-recreation-community/parks/parks-trails-amenities/amenities/tennis-courts.html
 
If you’re game to try your hand at pickleball, the Fall 2026 Saanich Activity Guide is offering plenty of opportunities to learn and gain experience. You can find the Guide at https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/4733a9ec#/4733a9ec/100

Re-Zoning of 2 Land Assembly Properties on Quadra Street

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The re-zoning for both developments has passed Council.
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There are two re-zoning bylaw amendments that affect properties within our community association that are going to Council on Monday, August 17, 2026.
 
Please note that Section 464(3) of the Local Government Act, that the District of
Saanich is prohibited from holding a public hearing in relation to these proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments.
 
Details:
 
1️⃣ Re-zoning to RA-13 (Mid-Rise Apartment) of 3301, 3309, 3319, 3329 Quadra Street (six storey residential rental building)
 
2️⃣ Re-zoning to C-16 (Neighbourhood Mixed Use) Zone of 3561, 3579, 3589 Quadra Stret (six storey mixed-use residential and commerical on ground floor building)
 
Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
Time: starting at 6:30pm
Place: Council Chambers (770 Vernon Avenue)
 
Providing Input:
Enquiries and comments may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email and must be received no later than Noon on the day of the meeting.
 
All correspondence submitted will form part of the public record and may be published in a meeting agenda.
• Send your comments to Council by emailing council@saanich.ca
• Mail your comments by post to Legislative Services, District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 2W7.
• Leave your written comments in the dropbox by the main door at the Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue.
 
To speak at the meeting, you may register to speak in person or via video on MS Teams by:
• Emailing the meeting date, agenda item you wish to speak to, and your phone number to council@saanich.ca; or
• By calling 250-475-5501 and specifying which meeting date and agenda item you wish to speak to.
 
The deadline for registration is Noon on the day of the meeting.
Details on the re-zoning of these properties is at Notice of a Zoning Bylaw – Quadra Street

Oregon Grape Plants

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Oregon grape plants are a hardy native shrub that is right at home in Saanich and is now bursting with deep blue berries!

A great addition to your garden, Oregon grape adds year-round greenery and supports local wildlife.  Its tart berries are best known for jelly, especially when paired with other native berries like salal.

Find out more about Saanich’s native shrubs, trees, and wildflowers that you can add to your green space and how they contribute to a healthy natural environment here

Western redcedar – BC’s Official Tree

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The Western redcedar (Thuja plicata) is the official provincial tree of BC.
 
Western redcedar is the preferred forestry and botanical spelling because it is not a true cedar (Cedrus species).
 
Western redcedar was (and remains) a mainstay of Indigenous life and culture BC.  Known as the “tree of life” because it provided clothing, shelter, transportation and a medium for aboriginal art and craft work.
 
The tree reaches maturity in 350 years, with some specimens over 1,000 years old having been reported.
 
There is a Western redcedar planted on the Legislature grounds.
 
Its foliage is long, drooping and fern-like. It has has cones, which are oblong, 12-18mm long, the tips of which usually have 4 scales rounded with a very small prickle.
 
You can find more information on this interesting tree here

Beach Advisories – Check Before You Go

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Several beaches are currently not recommended for recreational water use, such as swimming.

Beach advisories are recommended by Island Health where there is indication of elevated bacterial levels in the water or other potential contaminants that increases the risk of illness to the public.

Island Health works with local government and agencies to ensure a warning sign is posted to advise the public when the water may be unsafe. While public beaches are not technically ‘closed’ to public access, it is highly recommended to not enter the water while an advisory is in place.

The following beaches are under this Advisory:
🏖️ Beaver Lake
🏖️ Cordova Bay Agate Park Beach
🏖️ Cadboro Gyro Park Beach
🏖️ Gonzales Bay Beach
🏖️ Langford Lake Leigh Road
🏖️ Thetis Lake Beach
🏖️ Ross Bay Beach

Find the most up-to-date information on beach advisories on the VIHA website here

Teen and Youth “Now I don’t feel alone” Program

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The YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island is looking for participants aged 13 – 17 and 18 – 30 for their upcoming FREE Fall groups for people who are interested in real-world connections, engaging and learning at their own pace with the aim of moving towards a more aware and meaningful life.
 
The groups are about purpose — finding meaning and belonging. When you stop spending so much energy holding the world in place, that energy becomes available for the things that genuinely matter to you. The question shifts from chaos to open curiosity and learning tangible tools and strategies of what I can do, how I will do it in a way that is authentic. Building self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
 
If you’re interested, you can join the program this Fall, be guided by trained mental health professionals and get a Y membership while you’re in the program.
 
This group group is not intended for people who experience high levels of stress / anxiety.
 
Information sessions are open for registration on the Y website. Everyone must attend an info session and following intake to make sure the group is a good fit. If the group information dates don’t work, individual ones are available.
 
TEEN (13 – 17) Victoria location: Wednesdays October 7th to November 25th, 2026 at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre from 6pm to 7:30pm.
YOUTH (18 – 30) Victoria location: Tuesdays October 13th to November 24th, 2026 at the Cook Street Village Activity Centre from 6pm – 8:30pm.
 
Find more information at https://vancouverislandy.com/program-services/community-health/mental-wellness/

Beware – Property Tax Payment Scam

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Warning: Saanich has received reports of a property tax payment scam that involves third parties offering to pay residential or commercial property taxes on a property owner’s behalf.

These offers may be presented as a way to get a discount, avoid inconvenience, simplify payment, consolidate bills, earn rewards, or have someone else take care of the payment process.

These offers are not authorized by the District of Saanich.  The District does not offer property tax discounts through third-party companies, payment consolidators, agents or individuals.  The District also does not authorize third parties to negotiate reduced property tax payments or make special payment arrangements on behalf of residential or commercial property owners.

Read more information on how to protect yourself from scams here

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association