Good morning, Westshore! Thanks to all of you who attended the Capital Daily Festival yesterday; it was a real hit. I was so glad to meet a bunch of readers in person, and thrilled to help moderate some speakers I think have a lot of relevance to the Westshore.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Bird nesting slows down cell coverage expansion to Port Renfrew
Mystic Beach ... soon to have cell service. (📸 Jolene Rudisuela)
For the third time, we bring you an article about cellular service coming to Vancouver Island’s south west coast. The rugged coast between Sooke and Port Renfrew is full of many things—but not text messages, Instagram, or Google searches.
In 2021 the provincial government announced funding for seven cell towers on Highway 14 between Sooke and Port Renfrew. They awarded a contract to Rogers Communications for $4.9 million, and said the project’s estimated completion date was October 2021.
October came and went. Nine months after that, just one tower had been built in Otter Point.
Rogers said its project had been delayed by “the global equipment and steel shortage, complexities of obtaining building permits, as well as the challenging terrain in the area,” and told customers all seven towers would be ready by the end of 2022.
The company refused to answer when it became aware of "challenging terrain"—whether, essentially, it signed up to build infrastructure in a rugged West Coast forest without knowing what that entailed.
Now in mid-January 2023 five towers are operational, and Rogers says the last two will be ready this spring. It blamed bird nesting season as the source of delay, as well as slow delivery of material from the supply chain.
Province subsidizing expansion
To encourage cell providers to expand service to remote areas, the province has been offering financial subsidies to offset some of the capital cost. Within the Capital Regional District there are 33 locations where cell towers or underwater fibre optic cables are being installed, each with partial funding from the government.
That list includes Beecher Bay and Metchosin, where large areas still have no cell coverage.
Around the 'Shore
🚌 Help name the new elementary school in south Langford. The new school is about to be built, and is scheduled to open for the 2025/26 school year, with 480 students. The school board is looking for a name that reflects the geography or history of the area. (Keep the suggestions serious, though. “Names like Schooley McSchool Face will not be considered by the Board of Education,” the board wrote. Enter your suggestion and vote on other names before Jan. 31. On Feb. 15 the board will hold an open house at Happy Valley Elementary to share the top 10 names, including suggestions from consultation with local Indigenous Nations.
💫 From the simplest to the most sublime. Let Michael Uhthoff Custom Woodworking build quality, custom woodworking projects to transform the visions for your home into reality!*
🗺 Sooke could be the destination, not a pit stop, Royal Roads researcher says. In a presentation to council Katerina Moiseeva encouraged them to focus on becoming a tourism destination by: adding a public transportation system to get travellers to nature sites, develop cultural and Indigenous tourism, and hold more events to get people into the "heart" of Sooke. [Sooke News]
🦭 An ecoguardian filmed a rare instance of a Northern elephant seal giving birthat Race Rocks. Derek Sterling is a volunteer ecoguardian, wilderness guide, and photographer living on the ecological reserve. [Pearson College YouTube]
🍁 As your Member of Parliament, Alistair MacGregor can assist you with federal agencies, and help explain how he’s bringing Langford and Westshore voices to Ottawa.*
*Sponsored Listing
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TOGETHER WITH EMOTIONALLY ALIGNED COUNSELLING & COACHING
Find your inner peace
Ever wonder to yourself “how did I get here?” When you start dreading getting out of bed in the morning, it may be time for some changes. Now is as good a time as any to start focusing on you and your mental health.
Dealing with, and learning how to manage, all your difficult emotions can greatly improve how you feel about yourself and your life.
Emotionally Aligned Counselling & Coaching offers virtual mental health counselling to help guide you through the process of becoming the best version of yourself. They can help you get your life back on track from the comfort of your own home.
Community Events
🥅 The Gord Sleivert memorial hockey game in Sooke is this Friday, with proceeds going to a local family.
🏒 Hockey season is on at the Q Centre in Colwood. Catch the Westshore Wolves and Victoria Grizzlies next week. The Wolves play the Saanich Predators on Sunday, Lake Cowichan Kraken on Wednesday, and the Grizzlies face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday.
**☕️**Council and Coffee: join Sooke’s elected leaders for coffee and tell them what you really think!****“Council meetings are quite structured, so we hope this will be a refreshing opportunity for residents to connect with their elected officials in a more casual setting,” said Mayor Maja Tait. The first of the monthly coffee chats will be Jan. 23, 1-2:30pm at the Sooke Municipal Hall, 2205 Otter Point Rd.
🎸 Chilliwack is coming to Sooke! No it’s not a geographical phenomenon, Chilliwack the band is performing at the Sooke Community Theatre on March 30. Tickets are $50.
What’s Offshore?
🚢 #1 The CS Wu Hanis a bulk carrier built in 2021 sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Tianjin Xingang, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, BC, and was scheduled to arrive Jan. 2.
⛴ #2 The Shoyoh is a bulk carrier built in 2013 sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Soma, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Tsawwassen and was scheduled to arrive on Dec. 26, 2022, but has been moored of the coast of the Esquimalt Lagoon since just after Christmas.
🛳 #3 The Golden Magnum is a bulk carrier built in 2009 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Jiangyin, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, BC and was scheduled to arrive on Jan. 1.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GABLECRAFT HOMES
GableCraft’s new year sales event
Buy now and save with GableCraft Homes new year sales event. Several homes will be ready for quick possession this spring and early summer.