Last week I asked what you thought about Langford city council being asked to bail out the YMCA, and almost 60% of you said they should. It would mean doubling the annual subsidy to $1.9 million—the equivalent of a 2.5% tax increase. A lot of respondents had other ideas as well. Read on for a summary of your responses, and our reporting on what’s happening at the Y.
Reporter The Westshore
If you enjoy The Westshore newsletter, share this link with a friend.
LOCAL RECREATION
Much ado about the YMCA
Vancouver Island YMCA-YWCA CEO Derek Gent stands in front of the Y pool. “We believe that the community’s been getting a heck of a good deal,” he said. (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
It opened to great fanfare five years ago, but now the Westhills YMCA is struggling to survive financially. In that time, the YMCA says it’s lost $10 million, and with back rent coming due, the board is asking Langford to step in.
The city already contributes $950,000 every year to the YMCA’s operations, according to the three-way agreement that arranged for Westhills Land Corp. to build the custom facility and rent it to YMCA at market rates.
Without the additional money from Langford, the YMCA’s board says it will have to close its operations.
Langford staff have recommended that council pay the extra subsidy, while also requiring a financial and operational review of the Y, and starting talks with Westhills about buying the property outright.
LOCAL BUSINESS
Victoria has gone crazy for this Metchosin cookie house
The wacky house can only fit two adults at a time, but for over a year now, it’s kept locals in Metchosin full of warm, gooey, and fuzzy feelings.
Now, thanks to a viral TikTok video, the owners say all of Victoria has figured out the legend of the Crazy Cookie House. The TikTok video has amassed close to 300,000 views.
“We got text after text from friends telling us [about the video],” says owner and baker Helen McArthur. “My phone was blowing up with all the followers on social media,” adds husband and graphic designer David McArthur.Read the full story on Tasting Victoria
Around the 'Shore
🌲 Royal Roads land near the Esquimalt Lagoon is expected to be returned to First Nations: The property is leased from the Canadian Forces, but was deemed “surplus” in 2016, which opened the door to negotiating the future of the land. The Songhees and Esquimalt Nations are looking to regain authority over the land, which still includes areas of cultural importance. Royal Roads University is part of their plan, the First Nations say, indicating it won’t have to move. [CHEK]
💖 Youth on Southern Vancouver Island are facing unprecedented challenges with their mental health. Give to United Way to help youth struggling with mental health.*
👴🏼 Budget gives green light for Colwood dementia care facility: A plan for the seniors facility geared towards dementia patients has been in the works for years, and finally has the $224 million it needs to start construction in Royal Bay, though work won’t begin for another two years. [Times Colonist]
⚡️ Do you work in government and tech? Then sign up for Button Inc.’s free twice-monthly newsletter and up your digital communications, user experience, and customer relationships!*
💖 **Sooke playground named after girl who died from cancer:**The new playground in Sunriver Estates will be named in honour of Hannah Day, who lived in the neighbourhood most of her life. A naming ceremony will be held March 31, 1pm.
*Sponsored Listing
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
TOGETHER WITH CHERISH AT CENTRAL PARK
Are you ready to upgrade your quality of life?
Consider Victoria’s premier independent living seniors residence, Cherish at Central Park, with an A++ location in the heart of Langford.
Stop by for a tour to find out why people are talking about the "Actually, I can" program, not to mention the great homemade food!
Call today at 250-478-4431.
Community Events
🗑 Annual Whiffin Spit beach cleanup with Surfriders: The beach is a hotspot for styrofoam, so every year Surfriders Foundation organizes a beach cleanup. Bring gloves and a bucket. March 12, 11am-1pm.
💕 Heartfelt****: A Sooke Arts Council show is on at the ART Gallery until March 12. The council is accepting submissions to its next show, Equinox, until March 11.
🤝 **Te’mexw Treaty negotiations are nearing completion:**An open house in Metchosin is scheduled for the public to learn about the proposed terms. Five nations are part of the Te’mexw Treaty: Beecher Bay (SC’IA⁄NEW), Malahat, Snaw-Naw-As, Songhees, and T’Sou-ke. Negotiations have been going on since 1994 when the Te’mexw Treaty Association was formed. March 15, 4:30-7pm, Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd.
🌎CENiC speakers series: The Colwood environmental group is hosting its annual speakers series over Zoom, five Tuesday evenings in a row starting March 21 with an update on Colwood’s low carbon resiliency plan and planning for climate emergencies, featuring representatives from the city. March 21, 7-8pm.
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on March 6, 2023 (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
⛴ #1 The Pan Hope is a bulk carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇨🇦 Port Edward (between Prince Rupert and Kitimat) ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, BC and was scheduled to arrive Feb. 22. It’s been moored here for 10 days.
🚢 #2 The HL Vision is a bulk carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of South Korea. It is sailing from 🇰🇷 Gwangyang, Korea ➡ 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, BC and was scheduled to arrive Feb. 10. It’s been moored here for three weeks.
🛳 #3 The Mariloula is a bulk carrier built in 2008 and is sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Qingdao, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Victoria, BC and was scheduled to arrive on Feb. 11. It’s been moored here for three weeks.
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YYJOBS
Make a great hire
Finding the right candidate for your company can be difficult.
With YYJobs, it’s easy to post your job listing, and then rest easy knowing that it’s going to be seen by tens of thousands of people in Greater Victoria.
Post your job on YYJobs today and fill your job opening fast with Victoria’s largest job board!