Sooke Breaking News: November & December 2017
“The new year brings new beginnings and new opportunities. It is a chance to look back at the challenges we have faced, and to resolve ourselves to overcome obstacles in the year to come.
“From addressing housing affordability to tackling the opioid crisis, and the ongoing recovery from last year’s devastating wildfires, we have no shortage of important work to do in the coming year.
“On New Year’s Day we are given the opportunity to think about where we are and where we have to go. It is a day to consider the path ahead and to set our minds to meet our goals.
“In 2018, we will be working hard to create a strong, sustainable economy that benefits everyone, to make life more affordable for families and to improve the services people rely on.
“On behalf of the government of British Columbia, I wish you a safe, healthy and happy new year with many more to come.”
===> PREVIOUS POST: Friday, December 29 ~ SOOKE. Highway 14 (Sooke Road) is closed this evening in both directions at Parkland Rd in Sooke due to a serious vehicle collision that occurred around 6:34 pm PST.
Traffic both eastbound and westbound on Sooke Road is blocked. However, a short local-area detour is available via Parkland Road to Blythwood Road to Woodlands Road. The provincial highway is estimated to reopen around 11 pm.
Reportedly the incident was a head-on collision involving two vehicles, with reportedly at least one fatality.
Road surfaces are wet today due to heavy rainfall most of the day.
Rescue crews from both Sooke Fire Dept and Langford Fire Dept have attended the crash. More to come.
Sunday, December 30 ~ WEST SIDE of VANCOUVER ISLAND. As you ring in the new year tomorrow night, those who are politically inclined and civic minded are already well aware that 2018 is a big municipal election year in BC.
Elections BC says that the municipal and school board election period starts January 1, 2018, even though election day isn’t until October 20. That’s a lot of months of preparation for exposure to the community!
Candidates for Mayor, Council, and school trustee seats across BC may submit nomination papers starting September 4. The official campaign period begins September 22.
West Shore Voice News will in particular follow the campaign action all year in Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke, Juan de Fuca and View Royal (and school district 62 on the west shore) as candidates shuffle into place.
In our nearly 10 years of covering political and community news of this region, West Shore Voice News (formerly Sooke Voice News) election coverage has proven to get broad readership and good advertising traction.
This is the first municipal/trustee election after a 4-year term. Previously in BC, municipal and school board terms were for three years.
Traffic both eastbound and westbound on Sooke Road is blocked. However, a short local-area detour is available via Parkland Road to Blythwood Road to Woodlands Road. The provincial highway is estimated to reopen around 11 pm.
Reportedly the incident was a head-on collision involving two vehicles, with reportedly at least one fatality.
Road surfaces are wet today due to heavy rainfall most of the day.
Rescue crews from both Sooke Fire Dept and Langford Fire Dept have attended the crash. More to come.
Monday, December 25 ~ NATIONAL. Last week, Canadian Blood Services was calling on eligible blood donors to help fill 35,000 appointments by January 6 to ensure that Canadian patients continue to have access to the blood and blood products they need over the holidays.
The next blood donor clinics coming up in the west shore area are on Monday January 15 at CFB Esquimalt, 1575 Lyall St (9 am to 4 pm); on Monday January 22 at Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave, Colwood (12 noon to 7 pm); and on Monday, February 12 at the Sooke Legion, 6726 Eustace Rd (11:30 am to 6:30 pm).
New and existing donors are welcome and walk-ins are usually accepted. Some of the usually temporary impacts of giving blood include bruising, continued bleeding, dizziness, light-headedness and nausea. After giving blood, donors are offered juice and a cookie and are monitored for a while on site before they leave.
“The holiday period always presents challenges for us as we work to ensure we have enough blood and blood products to meet patients’ needs,” says Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services’ Chief Supply Chain Officer. “We know that Canadians are busy with travel and activities over the holidays, and we hope that they will make time to save a life and give blood. Canadian patients’ lives depend on them.”
Platelets pose a particularly difficult challenge. Patients with serious bleeding or those undergoing cancer treatments rely on platelet donations, but with a shelf life of only seven days, the need for platelets is pressing and ongoing.
Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). Their integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation.
“Dec. 25 is a special day for Christians around the world. It is a day set aside to recognize the birth of their Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to give thanks to God for the gift of salvation.
“For people of many backgrounds, Christmas is an opportunity for families to gather together and celebrate warmth, good food and good company.
“It offers us a break from the worries of the everyday world and a chance to focus on things that really matter – the people we love and the communities we care about.
“It is also a time to reach out to people in need, and work in a spirit of generosity to help and support each other.
“We hope that British Columbians throughout the province have a safe and joyful Christmas season.
“On behalf of the Government of British Columbia, Merry Christmas.”
To see Premier John Horgan’s interview in West Shore Voice News, click here: December 15, 2017 issue
Sunday, December 24 ~ SOOKE. Today at SEAPARC Leisure Complex there’s a $2 Christmas Eve Skate, from 11:15 am to 1pm. It’s a lovely time of year to share the ice with family and friends.
There will also be a $2 New Year’s Eve Skate on Sunday December 31, from 11:15 am to 1pm. www.seaparc.ca
Friday, December 22 ~ SOOKE. The Evergreen Shopping Centre in Sooke town centre was jam-packed with shoppers today. You know the scene, where you have to wait with your flasher on for a parking spot.
Shoppers Drug Mart was seeing steady customer flow as well as Western Foods. And of course the BC Liquor Store. And the newest tenant Bosley’s was busy with pet-supply shoppers.
There is no news update yet on who the new commercial tenants will be in that area at the front of the mall with great Sooke Road frontage (where the old RBC Bank used to be before it burned down in July 2013). But the pad area is cleared and ready. Mall owners Partners REIT are actively in the search for great new tenants.
It will also be his last day with SD62 and in his public education system career … 36 years! Retired!
“I have loved the opportunity to have my own school and to try to make a difference. As principal, you can set the direction and tone of a school, and if you do it well and set off on the right path, lots of good things can happen,” Principal Swinburnson told West Shore Voice News this week.
See a full feature article exploring the highlights of Principal Pat Swinburnson’s impact at Edward Milne Community School — in the December 22, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News, page 3.
For general driving conditions, MAINROAD SOUTH ISLAND says: Drive with care today. Winter driving conditions. Expect snow, slush and slippery conditions. Use winter tires and be prepared to chain up, if needed. Please be aware of snow plows and snow clearing operations. Updates on Twitter: #DriveSafe
In Langford, the CITY of LANGFORD ENGINEERING said this morning: The City of Langford is asking all traffic to please avoid steep slope areas as we work to clear our roads. In particular please avoid Bear Mountain Parkway. Road clearing priorities mimic most other municipalities – we are clearing major collector roads, bus routes and steep slopes first. Please be patient as we make our way to the smaller local roads. If you do not have to go out, please remain at home. Visibility coming in from the Highlands is very challenging for any drivers coming in from the District of Highlands, several abandoned vehicles Millstream Road at Millstream Lake Road and in the downhill lanes southbound Millstream Road approaching Millstream Lake Road. Snowfall is much more significant in the Highlands and in Langford at the higher elevations.
A portion of Highway 14 (Sooke Road) was blocked to through-traffic for a while this morning, due to a tree falling across the road.
Sunday, December 17, 2017 ~ Randall Garrison’s seasonal constituency open house will be held on Monday, December 18 from 4 to 6 pm at the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke constituency office, 2904 Tillicum Rd. Here is Garrison’s seasonal letter to constituents:
“As the year comes to an end and the holiday season begins, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all residents of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke and their families.
It is an honour to represent you. In the New Year, I am committed to continuing to work for a fairer and greener Canada. As your Member of Parliament, I know that many of you are struggling with the housing crisis, affordability issues, and that you want our environment to be better protected.
I will continue to advocate for improvements to housing, Pharmacare, childcare, and affordability. I will also continue to stand with the majority of my constituents in their opposition to Kinder Morgan.
I hope that your holiday season is joyful and that the New Year brings you success and happiness.”
Saturday, December 16 ~ SOOKE. The amazing array of gifts and collectibles at B&K Jewelry & Gifts is something not to be missed in the holiday season!
The store at Sooke Centre Mall in Sooke town centre is open daily up to Christmas Eve, December 24. That includes Sundays.
Kathy and Brett co-own the upbeat, jam-packed gift shop. “We always try to have something unique and different,” says Kathy.
Brett makes custom jewelry. That’s especially popular ahead of Christmas.
Open 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily to Xmas Eve, at 106-6661 Sooke Rd.
Tuesday, December 12 ~ SOOKE. Coming up this Saturday December 16 is a festive Community Appreciation Day at the Sooke Family Resource Society Thrift Shop. Everyone is welcome for coffee and cake, particularly volunteers, staff, customers and donors.
“Without the donors and their overwhelming generosity we don’t have a store,” says SFRS Thrift Shop coordinator Bev Lewis. “What better time of year than the holiday season to say thank you to all who support us,” says Bev.
Busy in her shop this week, as always, people are pumped up and excited about the holiday season.
About those donors: “People are always downsizing. If their kids don’t want it, the stuff often ends up here,” Bev told West Shore Voice News between handling customers at the busy store that is run by staff and volunteers.
On both Friday December 15 and Saturday December 16 everything in the store is half-price. The store is open 10 am to 4 pm, located at 6715 West Coast Road.
Friday, December 8 ~ SOOKE. Last Sunday, December 3, a gathering of Sooke sport enthusiasts and VIPs celebrated the new artificial turf on the ball field at Fred Milne athletic park. Last Sunday, December 3, a gathering of Sooke sport enthusiasts and VIPs celebrated the new artificial turf on the ball field at Fred Milne athletic park.
Sooke Councillor Rick Kasper said afterward that “the leadership of Sooke Community Association and Sooke Soccer has created a lasting legacy our community can be proud of.”
The $1.5 million project saw $1 million sourced from Gas Tax Funds through the District of Sooke and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area; the rest was provided by community groups and in-kind donations.
The City of Langford donated the turf (removed from their now-upgraded Westhills Stadium field). At the event in Sooke, Langford Mayor Stew Young commended everyone’s contributions. “The turf field is good for the region,” Young told West Shore Voice News this week. “All the work of volunteers built a great facility.” At Langford Council on December 4, Mayor Young said: “In a wet island region, the field will allow more opportunities for more kids and adults to get involved in activities without having cancellations due to bad weather.”
The outdoor event last Sunday was also attended by District of Sooke Councillors Ebony Logins, Brenda Parkinson, and Kevin Pearson; T’Sou-ke Chief Gordon Planes and T’Sou-ke spiritual leader Shirley Alphonse; Premier John Horgan, MLA, Langford-Juan de Fuca; and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director Mike Hicks.
“This was an incredible partnership between the Juan de Fuca residents, District of Sooke, volunteer trades, Sooke business and Sooke Community Association that resulted in a beautiful playing field for our kids,” said Mike Hicks. For years he has seen Juan de Fuca and Sooke youth heading into Victoria and beyond to take part in soccer games. Now they can stay in Sooke.
Councillor Pearson told TV media on Sunday: “It’s absolutely a huge day for Sooke and said “the real heroes are the volunteers”.
Friday, December 1 ~ VICTORIA. November 2017 saw the highest number of property sales of any November in the Greater Victoria area since 1996 — 671 in total (12% more than sold last November). The number of active listings for sale dropped 7.4% in one month from October to November.
The Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB) predicted last month that buyers might accelerate their purchase timeline to buy a home ahead of ‘stress test’ rules set for January 2018. Overall in Greater Victoria there were 307 single family home sales in November selling at a raw average price of $902,985.
It should be understood that VREB’s data-adjusted HPI figures show $693,200, which means people are paying far above what most people hear as the selling price.
In the west shore, the real price of a house in Langford last month was $696,933 (61 sales) while the HPI was given as $593,800. In Colwood there were 15 sales averaging out at $725,290 while the HPI was $658,100. In Sooke there were 18 house sales in November at a real average sale price of $509,418 while the HPI was $483,300.
So that’s almost a million dollars in overall Greater Victoria for a house and over half a million in Sooke where housing is considered to be affordable.
Condo sales rolled in like this: 219 in Greater Victoria averaging $437,822; Langford 26 sales averaging $330,298; Colwood 5 sales averaging $396,900; and one sale in Sooke at $229,000. All stats: www.vreb.org
Sunday, November 26 ~ SOOKE. The Sooke Community Choir ‘goes classic’ this holiday season! You won’t hear jingle bells or any traditional pop culture Christmas tunes at the Sooke Community Choir holiday season concert this year.
This year it’s “all about beautiful music that isn’t attached to Christmas but gives feeling of this time of year,” says Sooke Community Choir artistic director Bruce Ruddell. That will include Bach’s Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring and what Ruddell calls Handel’s ‘rock tune’, that being Messiah, For unto us a child is born.
Of the modern vintage, you will hear Let There Be Peace on Earth which Ruddell feels applies at any time of the year. “This is all really beautiful music that I can’t imagine the world existing without,” enthuses the creative and dramatic choir director who has devoted his energies to the Sooke Community Choir coming up now five years.
Ruddell and his family live in Victoria. He makes the regular trek to Sooke for rehearsals and of course the concerts. Rehearsals have switched in recent months from Sooke Community Hall over to the Christian Life Assembly church on West Coast Road. The grand piano is set up and ready for every rehearsal. “This is a choir of singers who love to sing. They really make me feel great. We make music every Wednesday night. It doesn’t get much better,” mused Ruddell.
Concerts this season will start at the grand Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Victoria on Friday, December 1 (7 pm) where up to 350 can be seated. Then three concerts the following weekend in Sooke at Sooke Community Hall on Friday/Saturday December 8 & 9 (7:30 pm) and Sunday December 10 (2 pm) where the seating capacity is about 250. Tickets are $20 at the door ($15 seniors/students) and at various retail outlets.
Accompanying the choir for these concerts will be cellist Rachel Capon and violinist Hollas Longton as well as pianist Kathy Russell. “Small bits” of the concert will be taken to the Ayre Manor seniors residence during the holiday season, says Ruddell who is happy that the choir is helping out in the community.
There are 60 singers in the Sooke Community Choir. “There’s a bit of a waiting list, which is great,” said Ruddell last week during a chat with West Shore Voice News. “There are more men this year – we’ve got a great bass and tenor section. That balances out the choir. The rest are sopranos and altos,” he outlined.
Last year’s Christmas season concert had a Celtic theme. Ruddell hopes that this year’s Christmas concert will “put that audience in a very special mood… contemplative and meditative”.
=== Article by Mary P Brooke ~ as first published in the November 24, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News
Called “Rethinking Traffic as Usual”, the presentation by guest speaker Eric Doherty to about 40 Sooke residents gathered in the second-floor library at Edward Milne Community School was mainly a pitch for more bus transit on the provincial highway. The same old arguments about more roads or further road expansion leading to more congestion somewhat fell on deaf ears.
There were the same comments one always hears about unsafe driving conditions on Hwy 14 (notably lack of lighting and lack of simple instruments such as reflectors). Some good news — as first published on page 1 in West Shore Voice News on November 17 — is that Premier John Horgan (who is MLA for the Langford-Juan de Fuca area through which Hwy 14 runs) has asked Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (MOTI) staff to go back to the drawing board with more safety improvements for the road. [See pg 1 in the November 17, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News ]
While public transit is essential and important and should of course be more frequent along Highway 14 between Langford and Sooke, Horgan is among a growing number of active business people and community leaders who realize that motor vehicle traffic flow and safety on the road to Sooke is the key ingredient to opening up the region to economic development.
The main reason Hwy 14 is so heavily travelled (in addition to tourist traffic) is the daily commute for people heading to Langford, Victoria and beyond on a daily basis for employment.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait herself admitted to fellow directors at the November 8 board meeting of the Capital Regional District that a lack of jobs in Sooke is a problem without any sort of immediate solution and that the situation therefore requires improvements to commuter transportation from Sooke to the main urban areas.
Widening the highway to four lanes all the way from Langford to Sooke seems rather unaffordable given the mountainous terrain and the amount of private property along the highway that would need to be purchased to make it possible. If four lanes are considered by proponents to be one and the same as unfettered accessibility between Langford and Sooke, there could be a better clarification… like passing lanes (i.e. a 3rd lane in the middle) and more left turn lanes in obvious locations (like at the 17 Mile Pub curve).
A group of Sooke-based businessmen promoting “Divided by 14” are not generating positive traction among the Sooke population with that Twitter-based moniker that was first launched in Langford-Juan de Fuca during the 2017 provincial election campaign.
After the Monday night presentation at least one long-time Sookie asked with puzzlement: “why Divided”? There is still the sentiment in the unique Sooke culture that being separate and apart from the mainstream is part of what makes Sooke special or at the very least protects the natural beauty and environment that Sooke relies upon for tourism economics.
Even District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson — who openly admitted to speeding above the limit on Hwy 14 — said on Monday night that she likes the road the way it is.
Bottom line is that without more jobs in Sooke, the highway will become even more heavily travelled. Bus service and carpooling while good tools for transit do come with restrictions on scheduling. The idea of “one person in one vehicle” being a negative thing is oftentimes short-sighted, in that flexibility for small business and heading to appointments, services and shopping (including storage capacity of a vehicle) cannot always be accomplished by public transit.
Almost no one ever seems to discuss the carbon imprint of large buses that oftentimes run empty at non-peak hours, not to mention the staffing and equipment costs. Also, individual vehicles are becoming increasingly efficient (including the use of electric vehicles).
Comments from those present at the Monday evening discussion included “call Hwy 14 what it is… a rural road” (as in lack of proper highway travel conditions). The Sooke region is fortunate that the premier of BC has himself for years traveled Hwy 14, and that in turning back the Hwy 14 improvements report to MOTI staff for another go-round is going to probably produce better results in the mid-to-long-term.
After the presentation, the speaker admitted to have excluded the economic argument, having wanted to focus on a push for better bus transit. However, omitting the economic factor out of the equation is to hobble on one leg.
One witness reported that the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 180 km/h in the four-lane section of Highway 14 in Langford. “So many calls were received on 911 it overwhelmed the South Island Operational Communication Center,” says Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander S/Sgt Jeff McArthur.
The vehicle was reported to be passing vehicles on the double solid line, driving at a high rate of speed.
RCMP say that at 5800-block of Sooke Road the vehicle went off road to the right, running over a bench at a bus stop, gouging a telephone pole, knocking out a fence, severing trees and coming to rest down a ravine. “The driver, surprisingly, sustained only minor injuries. The vehicle was completely demolished. A search of the area where the vehicle came to rest on its side yielded alcohol and a loaded handgun,” says McArthur.
A 42-year-old man from Duncan who is “well known to police” was treated at Victoria General Hospital for minor injuries then transported to the Sooke RCMP detachment where he remains in custody. He is facing charges of Possession of an Unregistered Restricted Weapon, Impaired Driving, Refusing to Provide a Breath Sample and Dangerous Driving.
The Sooke RCMP are asking that anyone who witnessed the manner in which this vehicle was being driven to contact Sooke RCMP between 8 am to 4pm at 250-642-5241.
[Photo is a sample of a Jeep Wrangler, not the actual vehicle involved in the November 23 incident]
Wednesday, November 22 ~ SOOKE / Juan de Fuca. A new family will soon be in Sooke! Team Sooke/Juan de Fuca has recently announced that the Iraqi family of four (mother, father, and two daughters now age 21 and 13) who they are sponsoring has completed all the required steps for immigration. The family is expected to arrive in Sooke in early December 2017.
The group is now focusing on finding accommodation. They’ve been looking for at least two bedrooms, preferably in the Sooke town core on the 61 bus route. But they will consider all options! If you have any ideas or leads phone Howard Taylor at 250.642.0908.
“We’ve been working with the family for a year and half to help them get ready,” said lead organizer Sid Jorna this week.
The group’s fundraising goal has been met, but they continue to welcome donations to help furnish the family’s home. All monetary donations are 100% tax-deductible.
Team Sooke/Juan de Fuca has received two grants from the District of Sooke. One of the grants last year was for bus passes so that transportation to services in the west shore and Victoria are accessible.
About 14 people have kept the Team Sooke/Juan de Fuca group running for over two years, preparing for the arrival of the new family.
Tuesday, November 21 ~ SOOKE. The 24th annual “Santa Run” will take place on Saturday, December 9 starting at 5 pm. Presented by the Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841, the annual Santa Run is a well-loved holiday tradition in Sooke.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of firefighters from the District of Sooke, Otter Point and East Sooke, much-needed cash and food donations are collected in support of the Sooke Christmas Bureau and local families in need. Decorated with bright and colorful Christmas lights and playing festive holiday music, four trucks loaded with Santa and helpers will be driving through neighbourhoods to collect cash and food donations.
This event is the capstone of the firefighters annual Fill-a-Fire-Truck campaign (collection of non perishable food items and cash in front of the grocery stores and Shoppers in Sooke during December). Last year over $100,000 in food and cash was donated by caring residents.
“This tradition of giving, and helping our neighbours is really what Sooke is all about,” says Sooke Mayor Maja Tait. “Council extends much appreciation to our community – the firefighters, staff, volunteers and residents – who contribute to the Santa Run and foster the true spirit of the holidays.”
How to participate: • Watch for your bag – delivered to homes in the town core on November 29 and bags can also be picked up at the Sooke Fire Station after November 29.• Check out the four routes on the bag and determine closest location to you.• Place non-perishable donations in the bag.• Follow the fire truck routes online via the live “Santa Tracker” www.sooke.ca/santa on the day of the run.• Listen for the music and look for the firetruck sirens and lights. • Meet Santa en route with your donation bag.
Donations can also be dropped off at the Sooke Fire Hall at 2225 Otter Point Road on the same day (Saturday, December 9). Updates on social media: Facebook: SookeFireRescue Twitter: @SookeCa and #SookeSanta
Friday, November 17 ~ LANGFORD/SOOKE. BC Premier John Horgan — MLA for the Langford-Juan de Fuca area through which Highway 14 (Hwy14/Sooke Road) runs, has told Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) staff to go back to the drawing board.
Horgan has recently reviewed a long-awaited report intended to improve driving and safety conditions on the winding, through-the-hills provincial highway that connects Sooke and westerly beyond to the rest of Greater Victoria. The Premier has asked for more details and options, to work harder on finding a solution, it was learned from government officials on November 17.
The first draft apparently has some “good projects” within it, but “not sufficient scale that the MLA wants”. While this delays the timeline for seeing improvements on Hwy 14, it will likely come as good news to Sooke residents, commuters, and the regional tourism industry because it means the Premier (who is directly familiar with details of the road) is watching out for his constituents and the region, toward a better result. It also makes sense to use taxpayers’ dollars wisely, and if the improvements will leave some things undone, then it’s prudent to further develop some meaningful improvements.
Premier Horgan has asked senior officials to engage in a very focussed consultative process with an informal regional group of business people (that sometimes refers to itself as the Sooke Economic Development Commission) who focus on Hwy 14 issues and also Sooke Mayor Maja Tait.
Mayor Tait was been awaiting the transportation report along with everyone else. Today she said: “Premier Horgan as our MLA is well aware of needed improvements to Hwy 14, and while MOTI staff have worked to have the draft completed, I’m grateful that our MLA and Premier is taking the time to ensure the study fully captures the necessary improvements for the safety of our residents and visitors.”
In recent years some improvements have included wider shoulders including bike lanes in some stretches, as well as the roundabout in Sooke town centre. Otherwise, there remain several sections that obviously require left-turn lanes for improved safety (such as at 17 Mile House, and at Manzer Rd) and improved lighting all along the highway — Sooke to Langford — that would produce immense improvements in safe use of the road for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
And here’s what MOTI had to say about their rejected report today: “BC is working hard to build roads and highways that support growing communities and help encourage economic development across the province. For Hwy 14, we want to make the corridor between Langford and Sooke as safe and as accessible as possible – not just for people in cars, but for people who take transit and people who bike and walk.”
The ministry also says that it focused the corridor study on safety upgrades “because people who frequently travel the route told us they were concerned about reliability and wanted to see it closed less frequently.” Apparently the study also looked at ways to promote greater transit use, and how to encourage more cycling over the short and medium timeframe. “The initial findings identify several safety and transit improvements that could be implemented over the next year or two in addition to the work that is already underway,” said a statement by MOTI.
“The ministry is going to take the report a step further, looking at ways to make travel along this route more reliable and to increase mobility, such as adding future passing lanes and potential short road re-alignments to straighten out some of the curves,” said MOTI officials on November 17.
“We’re going to expand the study to go all the way to Port Renfrew and we’re going to hear from stakeholders in the region to get their ideas for long term improvements on this corridor.” MOTI concluded: “This government cares about building strong, connected communities and is committed to solving the broader transportation challenges and needs in the South Island region.”
On Monday, November 20 a presentation about Hwy 14 and broader transportation issues will be hosted by Transition Sooke at Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Rd, at 7 pm. The event is open to the community and is expected to be well-attended.
This article first published in the November 17, 2017 issue of West Shore Voice News.
Monday, November 13 ~ SOOKE. Just a reminder to commuters and anyone travelling between Sooke and the Langford/Victoria area for business, shopping or appointments … to expect and plan for traffic delays on Thursday November 16 on Sooke Road (Highway 14).
Some live maintenance work is planned for hydro poles in 5700-block that day (action zone approximately between Harbourview Road and Woodlands).
Single lane traffic and delays can be expected from 9 am to 3 pm. This will cause backups both eastbound into Langford and westbound toward Sooke.
Roadside marquee signage has been up for a few days already, giving advance notice of the traffic congestion that is expected on Thursday.
“We’re doing the work live,” says BC Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk. “We appreciate the public’s patience and the delays it may cause.” He also hopes drivers will obey the speed limits and respect the flaggers who will be on site to manage the traffic flow.
Even in this rainy season, BC Hydro is doing the work on one or more poles with 25 kV lines without turning off the power, so that a major power outage is not required for a large part of the Sooke area. For safety reasons, this work on live wires must be done during the daytime, says Olynyk.
Sooke Road is a provincial highway (Highway 14), and is effectively the only road in and out of Sooke (population 13,000).
Langford is Horgan’s home town. For many previous years however, as MLA before becoming Premier, Horgan attended Remembrance Day at the Sooke Legion in the other area of his riding.
VIPs arrived in a parade. At Veteran Memorial Park, about 1,000 people were gathered under threat of rain, standing or seated in some bleachers in the cold for the one-hour event.
Service personnel in uniform stood in formation for the entire hour. Music by the Westshore Community Concert Band, Gordon United Church Choir and Westshore Girl Guides.
Roads were closed in central Langford, including by large trucks positioned horizontally across roads. Helicopters and airplanes flew overhead at various points. On-the-ground security was present but not overtly obvious.
Four mayors from the west shore area laid wreaths immediately after Premier Horgan: Langford Mayor Stew Young, Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton, Metchosin Mayor John Ranns and Highlands Mayor Ken Williams.
Friday, November 10 ~ BC. Premier John Horgan released the following statement in honour of Remembrance Day tomorrow.
“On Remembrance Day, people around British Columbia honour veterans, armed forces members, merchant marines and families who have sacrificed in service of our country.
“For many of us, it’s impossible to imagine the courage it takes to put on a uniform and go into harm’s way. Yet for generations, Canadians have bravely risked their lives to protect ours.
“Today, in moments of silence all around the province, we pay tribute to loved ones lost, and to those who have returned with injuries, both visible and invisible.
“We cannot forget the tragedies of war, and we must all work together to build a more peaceful world. Lest we forget.”
Wednesday, November 8 ~ LANGFORD. BC Premier John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca which includes Sooke) will be attending the upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Langford.
The Remembrance Day event in Sooke will be held at the Sooke Legion cenotaph. Those attending should gather in good time ahead of the 11 am two minutes of silence.
Standing in for Premier John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca which includes Sooke) will be Patrick Swinburnson, principal of Edward Milne Community School.
Randall Garrison, MP (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) will be attending the Remembrance Day event in Esquimalt.
Tuesday, November 7 ~ SOOKE. Once again ‘what to do about Highway 14 (Sooke Road)’ is in the news.
As new speed reader boards are readied for installation on one stretch of Highway 14 (in the Luxton area in Langford, east of where the 4-lane starts toward Sooke), a public discussion about Highway 14 as the one-road-in/out of Sooke is also coming up.
The “Sooke’s Transportation Future: Hwy #14 Upgrades, Four Lanes and/or Improved Public Transit?” presentation and discussion will be held on Monday, November 20. It’s part of the Transition Sooke’s Speaker Series. The two-hour event billed as will start at 7 pm, at Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Road, Sooke.
The evening will feature a presentation by Eric Doherty, a Registered Transportation Planner with the Victoria consultancy firm Ecopath Planning and a founding member of the Better Transit Alliance – Greater Victoria. Admission is free or by small donation
The evening will add “further context to a hot topic addressed this year in the provincial election campaign and by the #DividedBy14 initiative,” says Transition Sooke spokesperson Jeff Bateman. “Doherty will address the big picture of regional transportation while focusing on Sooke’s part within it,” he says.
Transition Sooke says the talk “will serve as a prelude to the release of a long-awaited BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure report on continuing upgrades to our winding road home (which is blocked for an annual average of three hours per week due to accidents)”. Last week Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said: “We continue to wait for the preliminary report, and look forward to working with the Province on continued improvements to Highway 14.”
Apparently BC Transit will be scheduling a public forum in Sooke next year to hear community views and opinions about the region-wide bus service. In Sooke the main bus is #61 also with transfers to the #50 in Langford.
A local group of Sooke business people who earlier this year initiated the #DividedBy14 campaign to heighten awareness about the highway are functioning as an ad hoc Sooke Economic Development Commission. Recently they have come up with a list of target improvements for Highway 14 that if implemented could — one by one — improve the efficiency and safety of the provincial highway.
Single lane traffic and delays can be expected from 9:30 am to 3 pm. This will cause backups both eastbound into Langford and westbound toward Sooke.
“We’re doing the work live,” says BC Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk. “We appreciate the public’s patience and the delays it may cause.” He also hopes drivers will obey the speed limits and respect the flaggers who will be on site to manage the traffic flow.
BC Hydro is doing the work live on one or more poles with 25 kV lines so that a major power outage is not required for a large part of the Sooke area. For safety reasons, this work on live wires must be done during the daytime, says Olynyk.
Sooke Road is a provincial highway (Highway 14), and is effectively the only road in and out of Sooke (population 13,000).
Tuesday, November 7 ~ SOOKE. Tonight ‘Emily Carr’ is coming to Sooke! Theatre professional and artist Molly Raher Newman will talk about her recent train trip from Vancouver to Ottawa and exhibit the ‘Emily Carr’ paintings that she created along the way.
Speed reader boards are those electronic signs that use radar to detect the speed of an approaching vehicle and display the speed on an LED variable message display. The speed display is typically combined with a static (non-electronic) display that includes the text “Your Speed” or similar.
The posted speed on Highway 14 in that section heading westbound toward West Shore Parkway is 60 kph (or 50 kph when children are on the highway) and when heading eastbound just at West Shore Parkway and heading to the Langford town area.
Hwy 14 beyond West Shore Parkway on the way to Sooke has a 80 kph posted speed limit on the 4-lane section, reducing to 60 kph again when the road is single-lane heading to Sooke.
The intent of the Speed Reader Board is to encourage compliance with the posted speed limit by making motorists aware of their actual speed. They are intended to be used as supplements to the maximum posted speed signs to encourage compliance when transitioning to a lower posted speed, such as school zones, road construction zones, and communities located along highways.
“The fatal crash five years ago on Highway 14 was a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” said the BC Ministry of Transportation last week. “Following the incident, Ministry staff reviewed this section of the highway as part of assisting local police with their investigation into the crash.”
MOTI continued: “Since the crash, the Ministry installed a new crosswalk and an eastbound bus stop near Slegg Lumber, and earlier this year completed a new westbound bus stop. In addition, we have ordered speed reader boards that will be installed in the Luxton area of the corridor in the coming weeks.” But still no additional lighting.
The Sooke Economic Development Commission (EDC) which has taken on Highway 14 issues as its key mandate toward expanded economic growth for the Sooke region, eagerly awaits the report. The group may soon have specific observations and improvement requests for various sections of the road to Sooke.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait told West Shore Voice News last week: “We continue to wait for the preliminary report, and look forward to working with the Province on continued improvements to Highway 14.”
The October 25, 2012 fatal crash was determined to have resulted from low visbility. The driver of a small pickup truck heading eastbound at the crest of a hill and around a sweeping curve was never charged, as the teen was wearing dark clothing and the driver was determined to have been travelling at the average speed for a dry road. Poor lighting was determined by West Shore RCMP to be the key factor.
“The fatal crash five years ago on Highway 14 was a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” said the BC Ministry of Transportation this week. “Following the incident, Ministry staff reviewed this section of the highway as part of assisting local police with their investigation into the crash.”
MOTI continued: “Since the crash, the Ministry installed a new crosswalk and an eastbound bus stop near Slegg Lumber, and earlier this year completed a new westbound bus stop. In addition, we have ordered speed reader boards that will be installed in the Luxton area of the corridor in the coming weeks.” But still no additional lighting.
A corridor-wide safety study of Highway 14 between Langford and Sooke is underway and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year, says MOTI.
The Sooke Economic Development Commission (EDC) which has taken on Highway 14 issues as its key mandate toward expanded economic growth for the Sooke region, eagerly awaits the report. The group may soon have specific observations and improvement requests for various sections of the road to Sooke.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait told West Shore Voice News this week: “We continue to wait for the preliminary report, and look forward to working with the Province on continued improvements to Highway 14.”
Thursday, November 2 ~ BC. Salmon have returned to the rivers. The Salmon Sensation Drop-in Event is on Saturday, November 4 from 11am–2pm at the Charters Interpretive Centre on Sooke River Road in Sooke. For all ages! Fishy-fun activities, a craft and guided walks with CRD naturalists along Charters River. It’s an opportunity for a closeup look at these magnificent fish as they return to spawn and complete their lifecycle.
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