The CRD is considering partnering with the District of Central Saanich on a recreation facility, in alignment with recent analysis and planning done by the CRD’s Peninsula Recreation Commission.
About the proposed facility:
- A ground level location at 1882 Hovey Road as part of the Central Saanich Municipal Facility (construction to begin late 2026).
- The 10,000 sq ft facility proposed amenities could include:
- weight room and fitness/dance studio,
- pottery/ceramics or other spaces for art programming,
- multipurpose rooms for general programming, such as camps or childcare, and
- washrooms, changerooms and other supporting spaces.
- The location across from Centennial Park would enable programming at the park to link to the recreation spaces for priorities such as childcare and summer camps.
- Land provided to the CRD by the District of Central Saanich; cost of the facility is $14.5M to build.
What is next?
- In April and May, the CRD is presenting to the Districts of Central Saanich and North Saanich, and the Town of Sidney, as the CRD requires consent of all three Councils to borrow funds for the project.
Is another recreation centre needed on the Peninsula?
- Yes. Local studies and community members have told us repeatedly that recreation is a priority, and an indoor, dedicated space in Central Saanich is needed.
- Central Saanich is the only Peninsula Recreation Commission partner community without its own recreation centre.
- The CRD’s Peninsula Recreation Needs Assessment (2025) studied access, population distribution, current facilities, and service gaps. It concludes was are service gaps and a strong growth in use of recreation facilities; and that placing a facility in Central Saanich would best remove geographic access barriers and improve equity for Peninsula residents.
Quick facts about the Proposed Recreation Facility in Central Saanich
- The proposal aims to ease growing pressure on existing Peninsula recreation facilities (e.g., the weight room at Panorama Recreation Centre) while creating more geographic equity for the southern half of the Peninsula.
- The Peninsula Recreation Commission (PRC) is a sub-regional service that provides recreation facilities and programming across North Saanich, Sidney, and Central Saanich. PRC operates major facilities in North Saanich (Panorama Recreation Centre) and Sidney (Greenglade Community Centre).
- Central Saanich is the only partner municipality without an indoor, purpose‑built recreation facility.
- Funding is provided by users and taxpayers of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney. Central Saanich taxpayers fund approximately 40% of the tax make up (including Panorama and Greenglade Recreation Centres); North Saanich and Sidney taxpayers contribute approximately 30% each.
- Travel distance to existing centres is identified as a structural barrier to equitable access for Central Saanich residents. The 2025 Recreation Needs Assessment report emphasizes equitable provision of recreation services across all member communities.
- It is approximately 15 mins by car, 30 mins by bike, 1 hour by bus, and 2 hours to walk from south Central Saanich neighbourhoods, such as Brentwood Bay and Tanner Ridge, to Panorama Recreation.
- The Needs Assessment explicitly recommends Central Saanich as the location that would best remove geographic barriers for residents.
- Total cost per year per average household for additional debt servicing (based on 2025 average property assessment values):
- Central Saanich: (Current: $335.92) Proposed increase: $61.66
- North Saanich: (Current: $373.31) Proposed increase: $73.19
- Sidney: (Current: $257.66) Proposed increase: $47.36
More information can be found online: