In case you weren’t able to attend, or would like to review parts of the all-candidates meeting hosted by QCHCA on September 24 at Reynolds School, here is a link to the session, courtesy of Bob Warwick.
Local News
Open house re pickleball and tennis in outdoor parks
News from Saanich’s website:The public “is invited to attend an open house to learn about near and long-term plans for pickle ball and tennis in Saanich parks, and the considerations that guided them.” The Open House will be held at the Gordon Head Rec Centre, 4100 Lambrick Park Way from 4 – 7pm on Tuesday, September 24. For those unable to attend, presentation material and a short survey will be posted here on September 24.
Saanich’s website goes on to say, “Like other jurisdictions in the Greater Victoria area, Saanich has been challenged with balancing the growing demand for pickleball facilities with the many other individuals and organizations using our parks system. Pickleball has particular challenges, most notably the associated noise level, that make it particularly difficult to accommodate outdoors.
Saanich recently collaborated with Victoria, Esquimalt and Oak Bay to fund a study to analyse the demands and challenges of pickleball, and learn how to best manage the sport. The Pickleball Strategy for Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt is now complete and may be seen in its entirety here: Regional Pickleball Strategy. Saanich considered the report while developing plans to manage the sport in the coming years.”
All candidates meeting Sept. 24, 7-9 pm
The next provincial election will be on October 19th. To provide an opportunity for citizens to meet and learn more about the three candidates running for office in our Victoria Swan Lake area, QCHCA will be hosting an all candidates meeting on Tuesday September 24th from 7 to 9 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event. QCHCA President Susan Haddon and Past President John Schmuck will be the moderators.
The event will take place in the theatre at Reynolds Secondary School, 3963 Borden St. Parking is available at the south or north end of the school. The closest entrance to the theatre is at the south end. Members of QCHCA are welcome to submit their questions in advance by Sept. 19. Send your questions to qchca3003@gmail.com.There will not be questions from the audience on the evening of the debate. If you wish to become a member of QCHCA go to our website where you will find the options to pay the annual $10.00 membership fee.
Grand opening of Rutledge Park splash pad June 24, 12:30 pm
Public engagement re draft biodiversity conservation and urban forest strategies
Saanich is offering an in-person and an online engagement opportunity as well as a questionnaire to provide feedback to the draft Biodiversity Conservation and the Urban Forest Strategies:
In person open house
May 14, 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Golf Course clubhouse.
Online open house
May 16, 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom
Questionnaire – A questionnaire will be live from approximately May 9, 2024 to May 24, 2024 on HelloSaanich (link forthcoming — check this page).
The BCS and updated UFS will provide guidance on how to manage, protect, connect, and enhance the District’s biodiversity and urban forest, while recognizing other key Council priorities such as increasing housing opportunities and providing active transportation options.
The updated UFS is a plan to reflect Saanich’s urban forest needs and the community’s vision for its future, building on the achievements of the 2010 plan. This renewed strategy acknowledges anticipated challenges and opportunities and provides a new vision and action plan for how we will respond and manage a healthy, resilient urban forest.
The BCS provides a roadmap to protect, connect, restore and enhance biodiversity in Saanich through policy, operations, and enhanced stewardship initiatives.
More information about the Urban Forest Strategy update can be found at saanich.ca/urbanforeststrategy.
More information about the Resilient Saanich and the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is available at saanich.ca/biodiversity.
Info session on improvements to the Ravine Way area, 3 – 7pm, May 1
Ministry staff will be hosting an information session about transit and active transportation-related improvement plans to the Ravine Way area. They will present proposed designs for improvements coming to Ravine Way area, between Highway 1 and Highway 17/Vernon Avenue. This area will play an important role in the future of the transit-oriented commitments made recently by the Province near Saanich’s Uptown district . The session will share the design concepts and seek public feedback about plans to enhance transit infrastructure, support transit-oriented development, promote active transportation, improve connections between travel modes, and enhance movement for people travelling by bus, foot, bicycle, wheelchair or scooter.The information session will take place on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 3-7 p.m. at Cedar Hill Golf Course, 1400 Derby Rd., #Saanich. Ministry staff will provide a design overview, answer questions and welcome feedback about the project.
Going Greener Neighbourhood Tour – Sun., April 28
On Sunday April 28th, the QCHCA Climate Action group will host the second annual Going Greener Neighbourhood Tour from 10 to 3 pm. The houses on the tour will be primarily on or near Astoria, between Maplewood Ave and Cedar Hill Park.
The properties will have information and demonstrations on heat pumps, solar energy, insulation, EVs and e-bikes, a pollinator garden and more. Learn about how we can reduce our carbon footprint and be inspired by the action taken by folks in our neighbourhood. SOLAR PANELS will be at 1278 Astoria St, INSULATION at 1284 Astoria St, FOOD GROWING at 3408 Maplewood, HEAT PUMPS at 3515 James Hts, and EV CARS AND BIKES at the Cedar Hill Rec. Centre. See poster for details. Hope to see you there!
Join the CRD Nature Challenge
You are invited to joint the Capital Region’s City Nature Challenge from April 26 – 29, 2024.
How many wild plants and animals can you find in the capital region? Join the CRD and its partners in community science as we compete with cities around the world to document urban nature using the free Naturalist app. Get outside to explore the capital region’s amazing local biodiversity!
For more information and events:
www.crd.bc.ca/biodiversity
By entering you could win great prizes, including a smartphone macro lens!
Saanich ‘Neighbour-to-neighbour’ (N2N) grants available
Help your neighbourhood become more connected and resilient.
Through the Neighbour to Neighbour Resilience Initiative (N2N) pilot, the District of Saanich supports residents’ projects to address emergency preparedness, climate action, and caring for nature at a neighbourhood scale.
Your neighbourhood group can access a $500 community grant.
- If you already have an idea in mind, you can apply for the grant right away. OR
- If you don’t have a project idea already, you can bring a neighbourhood group together for a workshop series with Saanich staff to help you and your neighbours get to know each other and collaboratively design a project.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis starting January 1st of each year and are provided based on eligibility, as funds last. It is not a competitive funding process.
The findings of the pilot will be used to amend and improve the program for subsequent years.
To learn more, register for the info session on April 30th at 7pm at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
Cedar Hill X Road Safety review results and next steps
Saanich has released the results of the safety review done for Cedar Hill X Road, including survey results and proposed next steps.
