Please find attached photos of the current Victoria Horseshoe Centre. Photos A and B display an example of the proposed initial 8 Horseshoe Courts. The balance of the photos (C to K) display what the courts look like after further expansion. Please see Photos M to Q which display measurements and sketches for scale.
Photo L displays the Victoria Horseshoe Community Centre building. For the Sooke Horseshoe Centre building, the future plan is to considerably reduced the size of the building, required to only store our equipment ie lawn mowers, rakes, brooms, etc., plus a small room for meetings with attached washrooms.
The article in the Sooke News Mirror stated that placing the horseshoe club in John Phillips Memorial Park would take up take up too much open green space. We recognize the value of green space for Sooke community members, hence, we propose establishing horseshoe courts at the location at Sooke River Road. The District of Sooke recognizes the public danger of many trees in this area and will most likely cut down these trees. Establishing a horseshoe community centre creates the possibility of revitalization of this space. To give an idea of scale, the bike park will be taking up more space than the proposed horseshoe courts. The area for the horseshoe courts will be approx. 230’ x 160’ when we are at a full scale of 24 courts, possibly in five to eight years.
We feel this competitive entertainment benefits all community members, from seniors to youth, in Sooke who choose to play. It is one of the most inexpensive sports where youth are free and only a $30-$40 annual cost to adults and seniors. This allows community members to also play in tournaments anywhere in North America.
To provide an alternate community experience in Sooke, we request a small parcel of parkland to revitalise into eight horseshoe courts with zero development cost to the public and minimal cost to play.
I hope these photos and documents will help you understand our vision of a Horseshoe Community Centre. Any further information you require please contact me.
Rick Hobday
Sooke Horseshoe Community Centre Committee