Some of my favourite stories are the ones that start out with a single, simple question and grow into learning a whole bunch of things I never knew. Like the fact that our water table connects under the ocean to the Olympic Mountain range. And the fact that, even though we could get fresh water from under the sea, most of the water in our aquifers comes from rainfall right on top of the local watersheds.
And, you know when you forget to water house plants for too long and the water beads up on top of the soil? It’s because soil can get so dry that it becomes “water-hating.” It takes quite a lot of coaxing to become “water-liking” again. Learn more in today’s edition of The Westshore. And if you like it, share our newsletter with your friends.
Reporter, The Westshore
STATE OF THE AQUIFERS
Droughts, atmospheric rivers, and growth are playing havoc on our bedrock aquifers
Even in a lush rainforest, water isn't a given. (📸 James MacDonald/Capital Daily)
Most people who live in the Westshore don’t have to think twice about drinking water and long, hot showers. They’re the majority who are conveniently connected to the Capital Regional District’s water supply, which comes from large reservoirs.
But there are several thousand people who use wells. Records show at least 2,400 wells in the Westshore, though there are many more that are unregistered. Almost all tap into either aquifer 606 that stretches underneath Sooke, Metchosin, Langford, and Colwood, or the 680 with underlies Highlands, Saanich, and Victoria.
Each year, more wells are drilled. Combine that with climate change, and things are getting dicey.
“The way I put it is, you can only stick so many straws in the milkshake before nobody gets a sip,” said Nick Leslie, the owner of South Island Water. That's the company you call for a rescue when the aquifer has failed you.
WHAT'S GOING HERE?
Royal Bay neighbourhood still developing
Future site of the Quarry and Commons neighbourhoods, south of Royal Bay. (📸 Zoë Ducklow)
Royal Bay Secondary School in Colwood was built in 2015 in a quickly developing neighbourhood across the street from the old quarry. The community was growing so quickly that the school was expanded just four years later to add capacity for 600 more students.
Hundreds of detached houses, townhouses, and apartments have been built, and more are still under construction. Immediately north of the school campus is a triangular gravel patch where 13 townhouses will soon be under construction. Named after the nearby Murray’s Pond, the townhouses start at just under $1 million.
On the south side of the school, in another gravel patch, the first of two Monarch apartment buildings is nearing completion. It’s pre-leasing now: bachelor suites start at $1,780, one-bedrooms are listed at $2,230, and two-bedrooms suites are $2,835. Construction on the second building has not started. Together, both buildings will have 123 suites. More single-family homes are also in various stages of construction and planning on the school side of Latoria Boulevard.
On the south side of Latoria Boulevard was a gravel quarry (with the best view of any quarry, ever). The oceanfront land has not been mined since 2007 and was since sold to developers. GableCraft Homes, which also developed the north side, owns 158 acres of presently flat land with plans to build a two neighbourhoods named the Commons and Quarry. The Commons will be a commercial-residential mix with more than 1,000 homes, a liquor store, grocery store, pharmacy, and more. The Quarry will have about 800 homes, plus bike paths and nine acres that have been sold to the Sooke School District for a new elementary school.
Colwood has plans for a seniors' care facility in the Commons, though Island Health has not yet committed to funding the project. The Royal BC Museum owns some land on the former quarry, where it plans to build a research and collections building.
Toward the water on the other side of Metchosin Road is Royal Beach: a steep plot of waterfront land where co-developers Seacliff Properties and Reliance Properties have proposed 2,850 homes in a mix of single family houses, townhouses, and condominiums, some commercial space, and parks. Plans and permits on that side are still being worked out.
Around the 'Shore
🏒 Ukrainian boy happy to learn hockey with donated gear, and welcoming hockey-loving locals in Sooke. He was an active kid in Ukraine, and wanted to learn something new here, but knew nothing about hockey. His mom asked for help on a Facebook group, and now he's well on way to learning the sport. [CHEK]
💝 Invest in the future of our city and region!Donate to the Capital Daily Holiday Drive, in partnership with United Way Southern Vancouver Island, and help support local children through early childhood education.
🔥Occupants escape Metchosin house fire: Three residents and several guests escaped a fire in a LaBonne Road home Thursday night. The structure was badly damaged. [Times Colonist]
👩 💻 When you’re sick and tired of living with anxiety, stress, burnout, and depression, Emotionally Aligned Counselling will help you get your life back. Find convenient online counselling solutions.*
🥫 Royal Bay Secondary students preparing for their 10,000 Tonight fundraiser. The students will canvass their neighbourhoods to collect food for the Goldstream Foodbank. Their goal is 10,000 items of non-perishables. Students will go door-to-door in Colwood tomorrow night. [CTV]
*Sponsored Listing
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Community Events
🎻 Handel’sMessiahperformed by the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, with four guest soloists. Handel’s oratorio, with its message of hope and joy, is as relevant today as it was at the time of its first performance in Dublin in 1742 and has become part of the traditions of the Christmas season. Dec. 3, 7:30pm at the Sooke Community Hall and Dec. 4, 2:30pm at Royal Roads in the Dogwood Auditorium. Tickets and more information.
🎒 **Choir concert benefiting The Backpack Project.**Choral Evolution, a pop choir founded during the pandemic to bring the joy of singing back to their lives, will donate all their profit from the Dec. 9 concert to the Victoria-based mutual aid initiative for community members who live without homes. They focus on necessities like tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food, water, and medical supplies. Tickets are $25, Gordon United Church, 7pm, Dec. 9
🎄 Very Merry Makers Market will showcase more than 50 food and craft vendors, with live entertainment, wreath-making classes, and, if you’ve been good, a visit with old St. Nick himself! 10am-4pm, Dec. 10 and 11 at 4495 Metchosin Rd.
What’s Offshore?
Esquimalt Lagoon looking towards Washington State, taken on Nov. 28, 2022 (📸 Tom Gierasimczuk)
🚢 The New Century 2 is a Vehicle Carrier built in 2001 and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Toyohashi, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver and was scheduled to arrive yesterday.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MALAHAT SKYWALK
Take in the sights and sounds of the season with Malahat SkyWalk
Experience something unique and truly West Coast. From Dec. 3 to Jan. 1, don’t miss Malahat SkyWalk’s Holiday Magic, an exciting line-up of fun and festive activities for all to enjoy.
From appearances by Santa at Santa’s Workshop, The Clause Family Bakery, to a 20-foot Christmas tree and a cozy outdoor fire, there's no better place to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy the best of the season.
Malahat SkyWalk guests can connect with nature on the elevated TreeWalk through a Douglas Fir and Arbutus forest, and be amazed by the impressive 10-storey Spiral Tower (250m above sea level). This architecturally stunning structure boasts panoramic views of the glimmering Salish Sea, majestic Coast Mountain range, and surrounding islands in both Canada and the US. For thrill-seekers, a walk along the adventure net and a 20m spiral slide down caps off this authentic and one-of-a-kind Vancouver Island experience.
Westshore Eats
🍔 The Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards are back! You can now vote for your favourite restaurant.