A Year in Review!
As 2023 comes to a close, we take a look back on the many exciting projects that took place in Central Saanich this year. Thank you to the community and all involved in providing these projects and services.
Active Transportation Plan accelerated
In 2023, the District committed $10.4 million over the next five years towards one of the community's top priorities: active transportation infrastructure. This is made possible thanks to a $5.5 million grant from the province’s Growing Communities Fund. In 2023, a design was completed for a separated multi-use path on Mt Newton Cross Road from the highway to Lochside, and it was submitted for grant funding. A number of projects are slated for 2024.
Meet Your Street program launched
The new Meet Your Street program was hugely popular, and provided modest funding to support eight block parties (attended by more than 300 residents!).The program was launched to support neighbourhood events that build a stronger and more resilient community. Thank you to Panorama Recreation Centre for providing games to be lent out.
More than $7 million in grant funding awarded in 2023
In 2023 the District was awarded more than 9 grants worth over $7 million to enable important work such as active transportation, disaster risk reduction/climate adaptation, and emergency preparedness.
Major watermain replaced
Over 1.2 km of watermain was replaced on Tomlinson Road updating what was a 50-year-old aging pipe system. In the next decade it is estimate there will be $21 million in watermain replacement due to aging pipe infrastructure, which is accounted for in the District's Long-Term Asset Management and Financial Plan.
Community Satisfaction Survey results
The year kicked off on a great note with ninety-seven percent of residents reported the overall quality of life in the District of Central Saanich was good or very good according to the Community Satisfaction Survey conducted in 2023. The results are available at CentralSaanich.ca/Survey.
District celebrated Pride
Central Saanich participated for the first time in the Pride Parage and unveiled an update to the rainbow crosswalk, which is now painted as the Progress Pride Flag. The crosswalk creates a permanent visual show of support for our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
New grant programs help provide EV chargers and bike racks at local businesses
The District launched two grant programs to support businesses looking to improve transportation options for their patrons. Contact us at climate@csaanich.ca or 250.652.4444 ext. 2224 if you are interested.
- The Business EV Charger Grant offers up to 50% of the overall cost of a Level 2 charging station (max $5,000 rebate per station) to local businesses and non-profit organizations seeking to add a public charger to their site.
- Business Bike Rack program The District has a limited stock of public bike racks available to eligible businesses and organizations at no cost. Not only that, but municipal staff will take care of installation if on public property!
0% financing program enabled 24 homeowners to switch from oil heating
We had 24 homeowners/properties that were approved in 2023 by Council to receive financing to switch from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps used for air space heating!
2024-2027 Strategic Plan adopted
This spring, Central Saanich Council adopted its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. This plan provides a framework for decision making and prioritizing services. The plan identifies six strategic priorities, each with specific outcomes and actions to make the vision for Central Saanich, as articulated in the Official Community Plan, a reality.
Wildfire training exercise provided practice and education
In June, approximately 50 staff (including members from Central Saanich Fire, North Saanich Fire, CS Police Service, RCMP, PEMO, and District Staff from Central Saanich and North Saanich) conducted a joint wildfire training exercise on Alec Road, focusing on FireSmart principles, Emergency Preparedness, and Emergency Operations Centre staff training.
All Central Saanich residents were invited to a "lessons learned" follow-up presentation to discuss the event and what we can all do to be better prepared. The exercise increased community awareness and readiness and better prepared our emergency services to respond in the event of a wildfire.
Community mural unveiled
We're thrilled to see the completion of a mural painting in Brentwood Bay/ W̱JOȽEȽP at the Cultural Centre by local artists Chazz Elliott (TEMOSENG) and Jesse Campbell. The mural depicts the famous sunsets over the inlet as well as the native plants that were once harvested where the Cultural Centre now stands.
The purpose of the Community Art Program is to make art publicly accessible and enhance the enjoyment of public spaces, share local culture and contribute to community pride. The Cultural Centre is home to the library, senior centre, police community office, after-school care program and Panorama recreation classes.
More than 700 people attend Newman Farm open houses
More than 700 people attended open houses at Newman Farm, a public park owned by Central Saanich that has been restored much to its original state over the past 20 years thanks to several grants. For the first time this year, the farmhouse’s interior was staged and offered a rare glimpse of life on the farm through the 20th century. The 16.5-acre farm was donated as public parkland to the District Central Saanich by John and Henry Newman in 2003. Having remained in family ownership and relatively unchanged for over 100 years, this property is a rare example of a small, subsistence farm.
Movie in the park drew big crowd
The Saanichton Village Association's Movie in the Park was a popular event that has received funding from the District to happen again in 2024!
Brentwood Festival and Parade return after hiatus
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Brentwood Festival and Parade returned in 2023! Thank you to the Brentwood Bay Community Association for their efforts hosting this much-loved community celebration. The District is a proud contributor to this event.
Community's first Age Friendly Plan created
Central Saanich Council adopted the Age Friendly plan in October 2023. The Plan provides District Council and staff, and community organizations with an understanding of where the municipality and community partners can support older adults through buildings and infrastructure, services and health care, policies, and communications practices. Many partners have active and important roles to play. This work was made possible thanks to a grant from Plan H.
The Age-Friendly Community Plan was a joint effort by a number of agencies serving older adults in Central Saanich. Stronger relationships and communications channels between the various agencies were built as a result of this project. The District wishes to thank the Age-Friendly Committee, which was comprised of representatives from Peninsula Accessibility Committee, Panorama Recreation Centre, Greater Victoria Housing Society, Mt Newton Centre, Central Saanich Senior Citizen Association, Beacon Community Services, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) First Nation, Island Health, the CRD, and the Town of Sidney.
District adopted plan to improve accessibility in community
Accessibility Plan The District of Central Saanich adopted its first Accessibility Plan in 2023. The plan was developed in consultation with the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, the Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee (SPAAC) and the public. Thank you to everyone who took part in the work to help identify barriers to accessibility in our communities.
District launched creation of new Parks and Trails Master Plan
The District is creating a new Parks and Trails Master Plan—this is the plan’s first update since 1996. Your feedback will help ensure the new Master Plan reflects how you, your family or your organization use the parks and trails network in Central Saanich and how you hope to see them grow and evolve in the future.
Keating Flyover construction kicked off
Work began in June on the District's largest infrastructure project to date. The project will replace the northbound left turn onto Keating Cross Road with a “flyover” overpass, eliminating the need to turn across busy highway traffic and reducing congestion. The total project budget is $76.8 million with $57.6 million from the Province of British Columbia, $16.7 million from the Government of Canada, and $2.5 million from the District of Central Saanich.
SENĆOŦEN name given to community park
In September, a request from W̱SÁNEĆ youth to rename Pioneer Park to HEL,HILEȻ (pronounced hul-he-look) was approved. The students chose HEL,HILEȻ as it means "place of gladness" in the SENĆOŦEN language.
First Annual Forrest Owens Memorial Fireworks
Central Saanich’s famous Halloween fireworks display is thanks to a dedicated effort by the Fire Department volunteers, and was spearheaded by long-time firefighter Forrest Owens, who passed away in 2022. The fireworks show was renamed the Forrest Owens Memorial Fireworks in 2023 and was a spectacular display.
Official Community Plan updated
Last but certainly not least, after three years of consultation and diligent work, the updated Central Saanich Official Community Plan was adopted. It is one of Central Saanich’s most important documents as it presents the long-term vision for the community, setting out objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning, land use, and municipal services. Protecting and enhancing the rural and small town character of the community is a key principle of the OCP. Policies remain strong on protecting agricultural lands and the District’s urban containment boundary is unchanged.
