District of Saanich

Ben Todd competes in the weight for distance competition at the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival in Topaz Park on May 22, 2022. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Highland Games return to Topaz Park

Pipes, drums, dancers, and cabers all on show

 

African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island president William Goldiet, left, presents a Community Partnership Award to Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes on behalf of the municipality, for its work to promote diversity and inclusion. (Photo by Richard Michaels)

Saanich recognized for its work promoting ethnic diversity and inclusion

Island’s African Heritage Association presents Community Partnership award

 

A development permit application for a 19-storey residential tower in Royal Oak was recently received by the District of Saanich. While at least one other proposal in front of Saanich planners right now calls for a taller structure, the Royal Oak project would be among the tallest in the municipality if built as proposed. (D’Ambrosio Architects/Courtesy District of Saanich)

19-storey tower proposed for Royal Oak site in Saanich

Med Grill restaurant site proposed for structure, which could be one of Saanich’s tallest

 

Saanich is launching its 2022 pop-up off-leash dog park program June 1 in Beckwith, Gorge and Vantreight parks. The pilot program includes nine parks this year, up from five in 2021. (Adobe stock)

Off-leash dog parks return June 1 in Saanich

Pop-up pilot program sees nine parks in mix this year, up from five in 2021

Saanich is launching its 2022 pop-up off-leash dog park program June 1 in Beckwith, Gorge and Vantreight parks. The pilot program includes nine parks this year, up from five in 2021. (Adobe stock)
Applications to build garden suites in yards behind single-family homes have kept Saanich staff busy. A potential change could see side and front yards included as allowable sites. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Garden suites in Saanich achieving housing option goals, mayor says

Nearly half of applications to build new suites, convert buildings approved to date

Applications to build garden suites in yards behind single-family homes have kept Saanich staff busy. A potential change could see side and front yards included as allowable sites. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Saanich has hired a new economic development manager. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich moves to boost economic development with hiring of manager

Mitchell Edgar comes to the district with plenty of related experience

Saanich has hired a new economic development manager. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Saanich council approved an interim building height policy May 9 that allows for six- or even 12-storey development proposals to be considered under certain circumstances, where no current zoning allows for such heights. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich building height policy allows council to consider 6- or 12-storey proposals

Interim strategy gives council more options to increase affordable housing in district

Saanich council approved an interim building height policy May 9 that allows for six- or even 12-storey development proposals to be considered under certain circumstances, where no current zoning allows for such heights. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Bird of Paradise pub and liquor store proprietor Diego Trozzo and longtime staffer Danielle Trosko pictured in front of the building on Glanford Avenue in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Fate of 108-year-old building uncertain as Saanich council mulls development

Glanford Avenue home of Bird pub, liquor store absent from plans for 252-unit project

Bird of Paradise pub and liquor store proprietor Diego Trozzo and longtime staffer Danielle Trosko pictured in front of the building on Glanford Avenue in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Members of the Saanich Fire Department stand with one of the new reflective address signs being made available to residents. The highly visible signs help emergency crews more quickly locate a home. (Courtesy of District of Saanich)

Help yourself be more findable in an emergency, says Saanich Fire Department

Department’s new reflective signs designed to save valuable response time

Members of the Saanich Fire Department stand with one of the new reflective address signs being made available to residents. The highly visible signs help emergency crews more quickly locate a home. (Courtesy of District of Saanich)
The southwest corner of the intersection of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue is the site of a development proposal heading to public hearing in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich council moves Shelbourne Street proposal to public hearing

Two extra storeys, added density for site not seen as issues, amenity package is

The southwest corner of the intersection of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue is the site of a development proposal heading to public hearing in Saanich. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Kathleen Davis, CRD Animal Care Services kennel master, provides professional care to animals temporarily separated from their owners or requiring re-homing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Saanich transfers animal control services to Capital Regional District

Move designed to streamline services in the municipality

Kathleen Davis, CRD Animal Care Services kennel master, provides professional care to animals temporarily separated from their owners or requiring re-homing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
A proposal for a six-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue is coming to Saanich council for discussion on Monday (May 9). (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)

Residents object to height, parking variances requested for Saanich development

Six-storey proposal for Shelbourne Street at McRae Avenue comes to council Monday

A proposal for a six-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue is coming to Saanich council for discussion on Monday (May 9). (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)
Saanich council narrowly passed third reading for a 6.67-per-cent property tax increase for 2022 at its May 2 meeting, as well as the district’s five-year financial plan, both by a 5-4 vote. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich taxpayers face 6.67-per-cent hike, will pay about $199/year more on average

Addition of critically needed staff, along with council wish list, bump 2022 tax hike

Saanich council narrowly passed third reading for a 6.67-per-cent property tax increase for 2022 at its May 2 meeting, as well as the district’s five-year financial plan, both by a 5-4 vote. (Black Press Media file photo)
Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)

Weather slows early gardening season but boom expected across Greater Victoria

Warmer weather will bring the green thumbs out of hibernation, businesses predict

Russell Nursery in North Saanich is celebrating its 30th year in business. Co-owner Laurel Rassenti is preparing for blossoming gardeners when the weather gets a little warmer. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)
A parcel of land on West Burnside Road near McKenzie Avenue has been donated by a resident to the District of Saanich. The municipality hopes to develop a bike park on one half of the land while keeping the other as parkland. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Saanich gifted with nearly 2-acre treed property from longtime resident

Split of protected urban forest, bike skills park planned for land at McKenzie/Burnside

A parcel of land on West Burnside Road near McKenzie Avenue has been donated by a resident to the District of Saanich. The municipality hopes to develop a bike park on one half of the land while keeping the other as parkland. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Saanich emergency program officer Capt. Erin Stockill and secretary Paige Marshall demonstrate how to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit. (Courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)

Saanich Fire Department offers tips ahead of Emergency Preparedness Week

Take time between May 1 and 7 to learn about potential disasters, department says

Saanich emergency program officer Capt. Erin Stockill and secretary Paige Marshall demonstrate how to prepare a grab-and-go emergency kit. (Courtesy of Saanich Fire Department)
Julia Baum pictured on Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati, in 2014 during reef composition surveys. UVic was recognized as a global leader in climate action by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. (Courtesy of Trisha Stovel/UVic)

UVic #2 for climate action, 12th overall in global post-secondary sustainability rankings

Times Higher Education report based on impact across UN’s sustainable development goals

Julia Baum pictured on Kiritimati, Republic of Kiribati, in 2014 during reef composition surveys. UVic was recognized as a global leader in climate action by Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. (Courtesy of Trisha Stovel/UVic)
Families and residents attended Saanich’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday (April 23) where information booths and activities were available to promote greener living in the district. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich Earth Day Festival promotes greener living in the district

Information booths showcase cycling networks, protecting ecosystems and taking climate action

Families and residents attended Saanich’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday (April 23) where information booths and activities were available to promote greener living in the district. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Earth Day and the great outdoors will be celebrated with the community in Saanich on April 23 with interactive and educational displays, games and other activities encouraging positive climate actions. The Earth Day Festival happens at Saanich municipal hall. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

District of Saanich hosting free community Earth Day event

Residents encouraged to bike to fun, interactive event April 23 at municipal hall

Earth Day and the great outdoors will be celebrated with the community in Saanich on April 23 with interactive and educational displays, games and other activities encouraging positive climate actions. The Earth Day Festival happens at Saanich municipal hall. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Fencing and signage keep people away from the playground in Craigflower-Kosapsom Park in Saanich. A sewer leak, caused by a backup in the line coming from the nearby Craigflower Schoolhouse, was repaired last week but the district plans to monitor the site and keep the playground closed for about 90 days. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Sewage leak repair sees Saanich park playground closed for 90 days

Backup in sewer line from Craigflower Schoolhouse leads to leak; site being monitored

  • Apr 11, 2022
Fencing and signage keep people away from the playground in Craigflower-Kosapsom Park in Saanich. A sewer leak, caused by a backup in the line coming from the nearby Craigflower Schoolhouse, was repaired last week but the district plans to monitor the site and keep the playground closed for about 90 days. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)