Victoria Hospice has taken the next step in its goal to find a new home after a near-20-year search.
A subdivision application was submitted Friday (Sept. 15) to the District of Saanich Victoria Hospice that continues the process to complete a feasibility study for the purchase of a 1.3-acre parcel of land on Richmond Road from School District 61.
The site is a triangular parcel of land adjacent to the south campus of Lansdowne Middle School between Newton Street and Townley Sreet.
“This location will enable a greater diversity of care programs and a hub for expanding community, education, and bereavement care programs,” said Len Wansbrough, board director, Victoria Hospice Society, in a statement. “We look forward to working with the community to gain more information about this site to help us decide if it’s a fit for a new facility that can offer in a home-like, neighbourhood setting.”
The existing location for the society is at Royal Jubilee Hospital, but that has been deemed inappropriate for redevelopment or expansion.
“The Richmond Road site positions the new campus of care close to the hospital and health services for the easy transfer of patients and access for health-care workers who work in both locations,” said a news release.
Subdivision of the site is part of the criteria of the purchase agreement between Victoria Hospice and School District 61. Initiating a subdivision application will allow planning consultants working on behalf of Victoria Hospice to gain further information about developing the property.
One issue that needs addressing is a possible development’s impact on Bowker Creek, which is adjacent to the land Victoria Hospice seeks to purchase.
“Victoria Hospice shares in the community’s interest in seeing it protected and enhanced to improve aquatic habitat and revive fish stock,” the society said in a statement.
Over the coming months, the society said, it will undergo a community engagement process to share their technical assessment of the site and the segment of Bowker Creek to inform further planning and design.
“Local aquatic biologists are consulting on the project to ensure any potential redevelopment of the property meets the Bowker Creek Blueprint and the objectives of the Daylighting Feasibility Study,” the society said.
“Victoria Hospice believes the redevelopment of this land provides an opportunity to add additional flood capacity, attract funding and share expertise for the protection and enhancement of the creek and, ultimately the watershed.”
The subdivision application is expected to take several months to process.
READ MORE: Victoria Hospice targets creek remediation plan ahead of potential land purchase