**Happy Thursday everyone!**In today's newsletter, we're looking at the process of expanding the Westshore RCMP's space. It could end up costing $82 million, mostly paid for by Langford with lesser amounts from Colwood and View Royal. For now, councils are being asked to approve a $1.2 million study to work out more specifically what the future needs of the regional police force are.
Also, a BC Securities Commission investigation found that Timothy Durkin lied to investors as he attempted to take over the world-famous Sooke Harbour House hotel.
Reporter The Westshore
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LOCAL POLICING
RCMP expansion includes plan to take over neighbour's houses for parking lot
Westshore RCMP says its Langford facility is at capacity. (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
With a ratio of one cop to every 827 people, the Westshore RCMP is expecting to almost double its staff to 281 full-time positions over the next 20 years, matching projected population growth in the area. The regional police force wants to replace one of its two current buildings off Veterans Memorial Parkway in Langford, and extend the parking lot onto four neighbouring residential properties.
The draft expansion plan, compiled by real estate consulting company Colliers at the behest of the former mayors of Langford, Colwood, and View Royal, calculated a budget of $82 million (give or take 25%) to upgrade the current space to fit future needs.
But some of the newly elected councillors have questions about how this preliminary plan came to be. As Colwood Coun. Ian Ward put it, “Transparency in Langford hasn't always been perceived as walking hand-in-hand.”
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Durkin lied to Sooke Harbour House investor, securities commission finds
Sooke Harbour House. (📸 Jimmy Thomson / Capital Daily)
The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has found that Timothy Craig Durkin defrauded an investor of $1 million in violation of the Securities Act. According to the BCSC ruling, released on Tuesday, Durkin falsely claimed ownership of a local hotel with “an intention to deceive the Investor and her advisors.”
Durkin’s history with the hotel, Sooke Harbour House, dates back to 2014, when he entered into a share-purchase agreement to buy it from Frederique and Sinclair Philip. He then sought out investors, ostensibly to develop the business.
Around the 'Shore
🦭 Elephant seal birth caught on camera at Race Rocks: Guardian Derek Sterling has become intimately attuned to the sounds elephant seals make, so much that without being able to explain the difference, he knew the call when one female was about to give birth at the Galapagos of the North. [Capital Daily]
🪨 **Preliminary Bamberton report recommends against environmental assessment for the quarry.**The Environmental Assessment Office is still hearing from the public about the Malahat Nation’s application to expand its Bamberton quarry, foreshore lease, and dock, and will make a final recommendation to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change George Heyman, who will make the decision. A public information session is scheduled for Feb. 2. [Times Colonist] Read here for more background on the call for an environmental assessment..
🧑 💻 Convenient online counselling for those who are living with anxiety, stress, burnout, and depression. Emotionally Aligned Counselling can help you get your life back.*
🐈 **Family mourns their cat lost to a cougar attack:**Colwood neighbourhood cat O’Mally was killed by one of the cougars RCMP later issued a warning about. [Vic Buzz]
🍁 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.*
🍄 **Metchosin loves mushrooms.**This one thing I know to be true, and now here’s more proof: a local artist is experimenting with mushroom dyes. They’re gorgeous! [Goldstream Gazette]
📣 The Community Services Recovery Fund: Applications are now open! Funded by the Government of Canada. | Le Fonds de relance des services communautaires: Demandes présentement acceptées! Financé par le gouvernement du Canada.*
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
TOGETHER WITH ELIZA AT ROYAL BAY
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The people have spoken, and Eliza is a success. Book your appointment today to learn more!
Community Events
🗣Colwood is hosting an ideas fair to get community feedback: Come to Royal Bay Secondary on Feb. 11 anytime from 2-7pm. Come with ideas and questions about seniors, youth, health, arts and culture, traffic, sewer service and more.
💕 **Lovers Lane extended market at Langford Station:**the business owners in the huts are planning a market day on Feb. 11 with all sorts of new local vendors. Saturday, Feb. 11, 10am-4pm.
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on Jan. 25. (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
⛴ #2 The CS Wu Han is a bulk carrier built in 2021 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Tianjin Xingang, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Tsawwassen, BC and was scheduled to arrive three weeks ago on Jan. 2, 2023.
🚢 #2 The Tenso is a bulk carrier built in 2014 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Hitachinaka, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, BC and was scheduled to arrive Jan. 25.
🛳 #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.
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DINE AROUND 2023
Indulge in local cuisine
Have a bite and stay the night – Dine Around and Stay in Town runs until Feb. 5! Choose from 40 local restaurants and immerse yourself in Victoria’s culinary scene!
Westshore Snaps
"I’ve experienced many magical sunrises and sunsets at Otter Point Park. Here is one of many!" — Eric Stepura, Sooke
📸 Snapped a photo you’d like to share? Send it with a caption and don’t forget to add where you live.