Get Sooke hopping
Just an idea. Instead of buying parks etc., why not give businesses on Hwy 14 grants to dress up their store fronts? We would rather have our tax dollars spent on supporting community businesses rather than supporting parks. Maybe do what they did in Langford with a little splash and life.
Sooke is what White Rock was 25 years ago. We are living in a goldmine for future growth, ambience and value, why is this not happening?
We think the new Prestige Hotel is fabulous and Mariner’s Village is really going to be a gem for the heart of downtown. Development can be done in a way that still speaks ‘rural’ with a funky new direction. It is time for growth in a progressive urban yet still rural direction. There is so much potential for Sooke but we definitely need a ‘face lift’ – visuals that don’t necessarily cost lots of money. Honestly, downtown Sooke is not pretty.
We have lived here for 14 years and love it but certainly not for the ‘sights.’ How do you make people want to stop and visit? Make it appealing. Imagination is the only way to start.
As for the Throup Road extension you would be making a major thoroughfare through school zones and recreation zones with an exit onto an already busy road. The traffic by the school is already too fast and dangerous. There is a covenant on the pond beside the ‘new Throup ‘freeway’ restricting building within 50 feet of the pond.
Before Mr. Smurfitt left he told me that when Sunriver is built out, the Phillips Road intersection will entertain 6,000 vehicle trips per day. What are you planning to solve with this idea? It doesn’t make sense. It will only create a new back up to the lights at Phillips? This seems like a waste of money and more aggravation for residents.
Instead of buying more parks/heritage farms etc. why not invest and buy De Mamiel Creek Golf Course? You or private enterprise could build a senior’s complex where the resident’s home is and let them maintain the course. The revenue could help offset their living costs in the complex.
Let’s get this place hopping and make it a fun place to live. We just want to see Sooke grow in a healthy sustainable direction that allows for moderate growth that still maintains the quaintness of a small town.
Dale and Debbie Olnick
Sooke