Sunday April 23, 2023 | SOOKE, BC [Updated 8 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Sooke will be the location and backdrop for an upcoming episode or two of a popular TV series.
Two days of presence by the commercial film crews are coming up Friday April 28 and Saturday April 29.
- Friday April 28 – overhead filming by drone as well as hand-held cameras, around town. No times given.
- Saturday April 29 – no access to Whiffin Spit 6:30 am to 8 pm.
- Ed MacGregor Park, Rotary Pier and Sooke Marine Boardwalk closed 7 am to 2 pm.
- Rotary Pier lot on Horne Road closed 7 am to 2 pm
- Ed MacGregor Park parking lot at 6571 West Coast Road closed 7 am to 2 pm.
- Whiffin Spit lot at 1510 Whiffin Spit Rd closed 6:30 am to 8 pm.
The District of Sooke says it has been working closely with the production company to balance the community impact and to acommodate productions needs. They thank the residents in advance for their understanding as “we welcome this opportunity for Sooke”.
Evidenced by the approval of the Community Economic Development Strategy and the hiring of a Community Economic Development Office, the District of Sooke says it is keen to enhance their local economy and feel this will support local businesses.
“Engaging with the film industry provides a prime mechanism to do just that,” the District said in a news release on April 14.
Alternate beaches for April 29:
The public is invited to enjoy Sooke’s other waterfront park spaces including Ella Beach and Billings Spit during the one-day closure on April 29.
Creative boost in BC:
Last week during Creative Industries Week, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport Lana Popham said that the film industry brings jobs and economic benefits to many parts of BC.
At a jam-packed event in the Hall of Honour at the BC Legislature on April 19, Minister Popham announced $42 million over three years for the creative sector.
That includes $15.9 million over three years to support BC’s domestic motion picture productions, workforce and creators, which includes $900,000 for programs that focus on developing workers’ skills, recruiting more workers from under-represented groups, and supporting practices that are environmentally friendly.
==== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is a long-standing publication in the west shore of South Vancouver Island (fourth in a series that began with print publications MapleLine Magazine 2008-2010, Sooke Voice News 2011-2013, and West Shore Voice News 2014-2020, which then emerged as Island Social Trends fully online in mid-2020).
Based in Langford, IslandSocialTrends.ca covers news of the west shore (including Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke, View Royal, and Juan de Fuca) as well as the Greater Victoria area and south Vancouver Island, with insights on BC and national issues.
Island Social Trends editor is Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Cert PR. Ms Brooke is a long-time journalist, delivering news through a socioeconomic lens, and now reports with the BC Legislative Press Gallery.
Island Social Trends continues to build the Island Social Trends Food Security Archive with articles about food security on south Vancouver Island and current developments around food sustainability across BC and nationally. Food security will be an issue in any major event like an earthquake or tsunami. Island Social Trends covers Environment and Sustainability news.