District of Saanich

Dancers with the Victoria Sunshine Fitness Club perform Saturday (July 9) at the first annual Uptown Multicultural Festival. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: First-ever Uptown Multicultural Festival draws thousands to Saanich

The shopping centre’s outdoor boulevard was filled with food, art, and live performances Saturday

Dancers with the Victoria Sunshine Fitness Club perform Saturday (July 9) at the first annual Uptown Multicultural Festival. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Traffic rolls along Saanich Road, part of one of nine corridors in a safe speed study to be done by the district. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich to study speeds on 9 high-priority corridors around district

Selection of roads based on crash data, conflict frequency, resident advocacy

Traffic rolls along Saanich Road, part of one of nine corridors in a safe speed study to be done by the district. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The possible expansion of residential development in Cadboro Bay Village is on the table in Saanich. Residents and others are encouraged to take an online survey open now. (Google Streetview)

Saanich seeks input on housing options for Cadboro Bay Village

Online survey open to public; results will help council determine way forward

The possible expansion of residential development in Cadboro Bay Village is on the table in Saanich. Residents and others are encouraged to take an online survey open now. (Google Streetview)
Community group Livable Roads for Rural Saanich wants to see speed limits reduced through this area that is home to numerous farms and large properties – and a distinct lack of sidewalks. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Speed reduction just one part of solution, rural Saanich group says

Traffic calming measures also necessary to changing driver behaviour

Community group Livable Roads for Rural Saanich wants to see speed limits reduced through this area that is home to numerous farms and large properties – and a distinct lack of sidewalks. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The public hearing and possible council decision on a six-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue in Saanich was rescheduled for 7 p.m. on July 5. (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)

Public hearings on tap for Saanich fire hall project, McRae/Shelbourne proposal

Shelbourne hearing reset to 7 p.m. July 5, Royal Oak fire hall discussion July 12

The public hearing and possible council decision on a six-storey mixed-use building at the corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue in Saanich was rescheduled for 7 p.m. on July 5. (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)
Multiple people were injured during an exchange of gunfire at Bank of Montreal location on Shelbourne Street near Pear Street. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday (June 28). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Online fundraiser started for police injured in Saanich shooting

More than $30,000 raised so far, goal set at $50,000

Multiple people were injured during an exchange of gunfire at Bank of Montreal location on Shelbourne Street near Pear Street. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday (June 28). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Derek Bernardo, president/CEO of Broadmead Care which operates Nigel House, speaks to the replacement building and the partnerships with other agencies in the Nigel Valley project in Saanich, during a June 30 funding announcement at the Garth Homer Centre. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Housing partnership, funding applauded for Saanich’s Nigel Valley development

Four local non-profit housing and service agencies celebrate progress on projects

Derek Bernardo, president/CEO of Broadmead Care which operates Nigel House, speaks to the replacement building and the partnerships with other agencies in the Nigel Valley project in Saanich, during a June 30 funding announcement at the Garth Homer Centre. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)

Variety of new housing options, amenities spur approval of Saanich development

Mateah proposal for Glanford Road, Enterprise Crescent to add 250 new homes

A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)
A rendering of the proposed development for 520 Normandy Rd. at Elk Lake Drive, which was approved by Saanich council June 21 after a public hearing. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)

Lack of tenant subsidies for rental project no barrier for Saanich council

4-storey, 68-unit Normandy Road proposal approved after 5 years, many design changes

A rendering of the proposed development for 520 Normandy Rd. at Elk Lake Drive, which was approved by Saanich council June 21 after a public hearing. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)
Saanich public works crews are undertaking water main replacement and road reconstruction between now and July 15 on Prospect Lake Road, with temporary closures in effect. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Prospect Lake Road closures in effect in Saanich through July 15

Daytime detours in place for all but local traffic between West Saanich, Lohr roads

Saanich public works crews are undertaking water main replacement and road reconstruction between now and July 15 on Prospect Lake Road, with temporary closures in effect. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Canada Day festivities return to Saanich with the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. (Black Press Media file photo)

What’s happening in Greater Victoria on Canada Day?

Events return in Saanich and Sooke while making a debut in Langford

Canada Day festivities return to Saanich with the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Reynolds secondary teacher Heather Coey was presented with the Long Term Achievement award as part of the 2022 Saanich Environmental Awards handed out at the June 20 council meeting. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Saanich environmental champions honoured with awards

Winners recognized in multiple categories for environmental stewardship

Reynolds secondary teacher Heather Coey was presented with the Long Term Achievement award as part of the 2022 Saanich Environmental Awards handed out at the June 20 council meeting. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
The rapid pace of growth in B.C. urban centres like Langford, seen here in 2021 along the Peatt Road corridor, has prompted B.C.’s Urban Mayors Caucus to ask the federal government to consider releasing funds sooner that target projects that improve housing affordability and transportation. (Google Street View)

B.C. urban mayors ask feds to expand housing affordability, transportation funding

Caucus co-chair Lisa Helps of Victoria outlines list of B.C. requests in letter

The rapid pace of growth in B.C. urban centres like Langford, seen here in 2021 along the Peatt Road corridor, has prompted B.C.’s Urban Mayors Caucus to ask the federal government to consider releasing funds sooner that target projects that improve housing affordability and transportation. (Google Street View)
New recruits and management of the Saanich Fire Department gathered for a photo recently outside the number 1 hall. The new hires will bring full-time staffing up to six at the department’s No. 3 station on McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Fire protection in Saanich east boosted with addition of 10 firefighters

Extra staffing gives hall 2 more 24/7 firefighters, aims to improve response times

New recruits and management of the Saanich Fire Department gathered for a photo recently outside the number 1 hall. The new hires will bring full-time staffing up to six at the department’s No. 3 station on McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
An aerial view of Townley Place, the Greater Victoria Housing Society’s newest development in Saanich. (Greatervichousing.org/YouTube)

Affordable housing project celebrated in Saanich neighbourhood

64-unit Townley Place providing mix of housing types

An aerial view of Townley Place, the Greater Victoria Housing Society’s newest development in Saanich. (Greatervichousing.org/YouTube)
Initial rendering of a proposed redevelopment of the District of Saanich operations yard at Borden Street (lower right) and McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Questions remain, but Saanich ops yard redevelopment feasibility study continues

Council concerned uncertainties, lack of public housing options in business case

Initial rendering of a proposed redevelopment of the District of Saanich operations yard at Borden Street (lower right) and McKenzie Avenue. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Rendering of the 86-unit development planned for 4096 Torquay Dr. at Shelbourne Street in Saanich. Council has forwarded the application to a public hearing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Public to weigh in on Torquay Drive development in Saanich

Tenure of rental suites in 86-unit project too short, say two councillors

Rendering of the 86-unit development planned for 4096 Torquay Dr. at Shelbourne Street in Saanich. Council has forwarded the application to a public hearing. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. The project comes to public hearing along with two others on June 21. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)

5 p.m. start Tuesday for Saanich’s 3 public hearings

Residents, other interested parties invited to participate in discussions

A rendering of the proposed Mateah development at Glanford and Enterprise Crescent. The project comes to public hearing along with two others on June 21. (Courtesy Mike Geric Construction)
Pearkes Recreation Centre is receiving a heat recovery and mechanical upgrade, with the help of a $2.8-million grant from Clean BC. (Photo by Melanie Seal-Jones/Courtesy District of Saanich)

Energy retrofit at Saanich rec centre to cut GHG emissions by 85 per cent

Construction on HVAC system upgrade project scheduled to start in fall 2023

Pearkes Recreation Centre is receiving a heat recovery and mechanical upgrade, with the help of a $2.8-million grant from Clean BC. (Photo by Melanie Seal-Jones/Courtesy District of Saanich)
Final line painting, including for bike lanes, has yet to be done on Shelbourne Street between Feltham Road, shown here, and McKenzie Avenue. The installation of concrete barriers to better protect cyclists from traffic, is slated for later this year. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Shelbourne bike-lane criticism prompts clarification from Saanich

Buffered bike lanes in Phase 1 of upgrades to see concrete separators later this year

Final line painting, including for bike lanes, has yet to be done on Shelbourne Street between Feltham Road, shown here, and McKenzie Avenue. The installation of concrete barriers to better protect cyclists from traffic, is slated for later this year. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)