Saanich Operations Centre Redevelopment Project: Funding via AAP

Saanich is undertaking an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to obtain electoral approval for “Saanich Operations Centre Redevelopment Project Loan Authorization Bylaw, 2024, No. 10105”.

From May 21 to June 25, the District is seeking approval to borrow up to $150 million to fund the redevelopment of the Saanich Operations Centre (SOC) through the Alternate Approval Process (AAP). The borrowing will occur over several years and mirror the construction timelines.

If you approve of Saanich’s approach to funding this project, you need do nothing, and you are encouraged to remain informed about the current state of the project as it moves forward.

If you disapprove of Saanich’s approach to funding this project, and are an eligible AAP elector, then during the term of the process,

You may also download the PDF version below of a blank elector response form.

Elector Response Forms may only be returned in one of the following ways:

  • Delivered in person at the District of Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Ave, Victoria BC, V8X 2W7, Attn: Corporate Officer, during regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding statutory holidays), or after hours if deposited into the 24-hour secure drop box at the entrance of the Municipal Hall
  • By mail: District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Ave, Victoria BC, V8X 2W7, Attn: Corporate Officer
  • By emailing a legible copy to: aap@saanich.ca, as per the Alternative Approval Process Policy

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Reminder: Speak to Saanich Council at the May 6th Town Hall – Register and attend!

The District of Saanich invites you to a Town Hall meeting, part of Council’s commitment to meaningful public engagement as outlined in the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

The Town Hall will be an informal open mic session with no set agenda. Residents are welcome to speak on topics of importance, with a limit of three minutes per speaker, following the guidelines set out in the Council Procedure Bylaw.

Please note: Webcasting and MS Teams participation will not be available for this off-site meeting.

To register to participate, please email council@saanich.ca or call 250-475-5501. You will also be able to register to speak at the Town Hall meeting.

Meeting Information:

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Hellenic Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Drive

For questions, please contact the Legislative Services Division at 250-475-5501 or by email at council@saanich.ca.

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May 7: Hear Ryan Senechal speak on “The Urban Forest in Saanich: Strategy & Stewardship”

Together with the Mount Tolmie Community Association, the CCA presents a lecture by Ryan Senechal titled, “The Urban Forest in Saanich: Strategy & Stewardship”.

ItemDetails
WhatA lecture by Ryan Senechal titled, “The Urban Forest in Saanich: Strategy & Stewardship
WhenWednesday May 7th, 2025, 7 pm – 9 pm
WhereBroad View United Church, 3703 St. Aidan’s Street, lower level back entrance.

You may read online about Ryan to get a notion of what keeps him active locally using these links:

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May 5: Saanich hears about Annual Housing Progress Report

On the agenda for the May 5th council meeting is a report from the Director of Planning: the Annual Housing Progress Report that reviews this topic looking at 2024 figures. Attend the meeting virtually or in person for a full explanation, or enjoy perusing the report below.

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Jane’s Walk along Bowker Creek

The Friends of Bowker Creek are hosting a Jane’s Walk that will take you along a stretch of Bowker Creek, starting at Oak Bay High School and ending at the Lansdowne South School field.

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs.

WhatWhenWhere
Jane’s Walk along Bowker Creek, led by a Friends of Bowker Creek directorSunday, May 4, 2025 at 10:30 am to noonStart at the Oak Bay High School outdooor classroom; stops of interest below.
  1. START – Bowker Creek at Oak Bay High School’s Glen Atkinson outdoor classroom
  2. Bowker at Bee Street – Oak Bay Rec parking lot
  3. Metal tree sculpture – Bowker Creek fountain feature
  4. Trent Street rain gardens and riparian restoration at St. Patrick’s School
  5. Riparian restoration at Kings Community Green Space
  6. North Jubilee Spirit Garden – Bowker Creek Blueprint daylighting potential at Reach 8
  7. END – Lansdowne South School field – Bring a picnic lunch, stay and chat.

Further Details

Accessibility: Curbs and steps, Sidewalks, Busy or noisy vehicle traffic, Dirt paths

Seniors welcome, children welcome, people with bicycles welcome, people with wheelchairs or walking aids welcome.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Walk Leader: Soren Henrich, Friends of Bowker Creek Director
contact: friendsofbowkercreek+janeswalk@gmail.com

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1899 Cochrane St. re-development: Invitation to SEBA Open House

SEBA Construction has issued an invitation to community members to attend an open house and information meeting for the 8-unit townhouse proposed development at 1899 Cochrane Street. 

WhatWhereWhen
SEBA Construction hosted Open House & Information Meeting re: 1899 Cochrane St. development proposalKnox Presbyterian Church, 2964 Richmond Rd.May 8, 2025 at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

You may review the development permit details on Saanich’s application tracker site. For convenience, the application latest set of SEBA provided documents are also available below.

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CRD “Live Green” Learning Series of Webinars

The CRD is hosting a series of free webinars to help you “Live Green”.

This spring, learn how to support a healthy and natural yard and garden through these online educational opportunities! Sign up on crd.ca/events or through the links below.

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Monday Feb 24, 6 pm: Meet Saanich Council

Saanich residents are invited to the Municipal Hall for an opportunity to connect with Council outside of Council Chambers!

Bring your thoughts and questions for this informal meet-and-greet event and stay for the Council Meeting afterwards.

Monday, February 24:

  • 6:00 p.m.: Council will greet residents at the 2nd Floor Foyer of the Municipal Hall.
  • 7:00 p.m.: scheduled Council Meeting starts.

Please share these meeting details with your neighbours, and/or point them to this post on Saanich’s Facebook account or on Saanich’s website.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with your elected community leaders, who look forward to seeing you on Monday night.

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Webinar: New retrofit programs (and money!) available for condos, apartments and commercial buildings

For community members who reside in condominium stratas and apartment buildings, Saanich is hosting a Zoom webinar that should be of interest to you.

Webinar ItemDetails
TopicFuture Proof Your Saanich Building: New retrofit programs (and money!) available for condos, apartments and commercial buildings
WhenWednesday, March 5th from 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm.
How to attendRegister to attend via Zoom virtual meeting: Registration Link

Sign up for this free webinar to get up to date information on the available incentives and retrofit support programs available for condos, rental apartments and commercial buildings in the District of Saanich, including Saanich’s new and innovative tax holiday to support electrification retrofits in commercial and multi-family buildings.

With presentations from BC Hydro, the Building Owners and Managers Association of BC, the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre, and more, this session will help you understand why building owners are looking to electrify their buildings, highlight available funding, and help you get started.

email from Cassidy Daskalchuk, Sustainability Planner, Sustainability, Corporate Services, District of Saanich
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Eco Education at Kings Park

On January 23, a small group of volunteers was assisted by two groups of grade six students from the Eco Education class at Lansdowne South Middle school, their teacher Lorraine Powell and Saanich Parks staff working at Kings Park, aka King’s Rd Community Nature Green Space.

An area in the south west corner had been weeded and prepared earlier. The students learned the properties of the plants, how to prepare the planting hole and then proceeded to finish the planting with direction from Saanich staff.

Some students named their plants which consisted of

  • Sword Ferns,
  • Snow berry,
  • Oregon Grape,
  • Rose and
  • June Plum

and were encouraged to visit the site often in the future. These students already do regular invasive plant weeding at this natural outdoor classroom.

The site going forward will be added to the Saanich Parks watering program.

Special thank you to Deanna Pfeifer for her initial work in saving this land, establishing owl boxes and starting the volunteer restoration group.

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