CRD

The province is pitching in to tackle toxicity in Elk and Beaver Lake, popular swimming and rowing spots for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photos)

Province funds $750k to help CRD tackle toxic algae blooms in Saanich lakes

Technology expected to be installed by April 1, 2022, and cost about $1.4 million

The province is pitching in to tackle toxicity in Elk and Beaver Lake, popular swimming and rowing spots for Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photos)
Local cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work regional park. The Capital Regional District parks committee approved new guidelines for mountain biking in CRD parks, but left room for adjustments. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD parks mountain biking guidelines a hot topic in Greater Victoria

Committee approves guidelines, short-term actions, wants more scrutiny during parks planning process

Local cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work regional park. The Capital Regional District parks committee approved new guidelines for mountain biking in CRD parks, but left room for adjustments. (Black Press Media file photo)
Capital Regional District headquarters entrance on Fisgard Street in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria regional services get a $575,000 boost from Safe Restart Grant

CRD allocates latest grants to help service areas affected by pandemic challenges

Capital Regional District headquarters entrance on Fisgard Street in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
A rider crosses a “skinny” on the newly opened trail known as 90s Jank, built within the Hartland system by volunteers with the South Island Mountain Bike Society. (Youtube/MTB Matt)

Mountain bikers celebrate first new trail in years on Saanich’s Mount Work

90s Jank trail a product of licence agreement between CRD and mountain bike society

A rider crosses a “skinny” on the newly opened trail known as 90s Jank, built within the Hartland system by volunteers with the South Island Mountain Bike Society. (Youtube/MTB Matt)
The Capital Regional Hospital District has approved awarding a tender to QM Environmental for the demolition and hazardous materials disposal of the Oak Bay Lodge. (Black Press Media File)

Winning bidder approved for Oak Bay Lodge demolition

Capital Regional Hospital District board approves $4.266 million budget for project

The Capital Regional Hospital District has approved awarding a tender to QM Environmental for the demolition and hazardous materials disposal of the Oak Bay Lodge. (Black Press Media File)
The Latoria South section of the Royal Bay development in Colwood could include a new long-term care facility. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood’s Royal Bay could be home to new long-term care facilities

Capital Regional Hospital District board approves $8M land purchase for purpose

The Latoria South section of the Royal Bay development in Colwood could include a new long-term care facility. (Black Press Media file photo)
Advocates working to secure the purchase of the Kings Park greenspace in Saanich are calling on council to extend the fundraising deadline and allocate $1.75 million to the cause. (Image via Mayor’s Standing Committee on Fundraising for Kings Road Community Nature Green Space presentation)

Kings Park advocates call on Saanich to extend fundraising deadline, contribute $1.75 million to save greenspace

Fundraising efforts halted by pandemic, deadline passed March 31

Advocates working to secure the purchase of the Kings Park greenspace in Saanich are calling on council to extend the fundraising deadline and allocate $1.75 million to the cause. (Image via Mayor’s Standing Committee on Fundraising for Kings Road Community Nature Green Space presentation)
Sign outside the currently closed McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. The Capital Regional District wants to determine how a regional performing arts venue service would operate and benefit current and future facilities in the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)

Form, function of new Greater Victoria arts venue service to be determined

Majority at CRD board can approve select committee, final approval of service needs unanimous vote

Sign outside the currently closed McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. The Capital Regional District wants to determine how a regional performing arts venue service would operate and benefit current and future facilities in the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Free leak detection kits available to Saanich residents to reduce water waste, save money

CRD Fix-a-leak Week runs March 15-21, kits available until March 26

Saanich and the Capital Regional District are offering free leak detection kits at municipal hall on Vernon Avenue until March 26 in honour of Fix-a-leak Week. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
A Capital Regional District program aimed at planning, developing and funding performing arts facilities isn't sitting well with Juan de Fuca director Mike Hicks. (Pixabay photo)

Juan de Fuca director won’t back performing arts facilities plan

CRD moves forward on plan but securing full support around region will be tough

  • Mar 18, 2021
A Capital Regional District program aimed at planning, developing and funding performing arts facilities isn't sitting well with Juan de Fuca director Mike Hicks. (Pixabay photo)
The development of a regional performing arts facilities service was moved ahead by the Capital Regional District board, which directed CRD staff to work with a new committee to design what such a service would look like. Those details would be forwarded to all CRD member-jurisdictions for consideration. (Black Press Media file photo)

Support for Greater Victoria regional arts facilities service not unanimous

Goal of regional body is to have all jurisdictions benefit, board chair says

The development of a regional performing arts facilities service was moved ahead by the Capital Regional District board, which directed CRD staff to work with a new committee to design what such a service would look like. Those details would be forwarded to all CRD member-jurisdictions for consideration. (Black Press Media file photo)
On April 15, the Capital Regional District will purchase a parcel of land off Willis Point Road from Saanich for $1.75 million. (Map via the District of Saanich)

Saanich to sell Willis Point Road property to CRD for $1.75 million

Transfer to take place April 15, funds can be used for land acquisition, building construction

On April 15, the Capital Regional District will purchase a parcel of land off Willis Point Road from Saanich for $1.75 million. (Map via the District of Saanich)
Elk and Beaver Lake Park was among nine additional Capital Regional District parks that had been recommended for new parking fees. The CRD board rejected new fees for now, but asked staff to include parking revenue options in the regional parks strategic plan expected back at the board in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Absence of new parking fees at Greater Victoria regional parks confirmed

CRD board rejects ‘modest’ interim fee structure, won’t see new options until 2022

Elk and Beaver Lake Park was among nine additional Capital Regional District parks that had been recommended for new parking fees. The CRD board rejected new fees for now, but asked staff to include parking revenue options in the regional parks strategic plan expected back at the board in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
March 15 to 21 is Fix-a-Leak Week, the perfect time to check for – and repair – leaks around the home that are wasting water and money!

Be a leak detective: 4 simple steps to save water … and money!

Fix a Leak Week, March 15 to 21, is the time to repair leaky toilets, faucets + other fixtures

  • Mar 15, 2021
March 15 to 21 is Fix-a-Leak Week, the perfect time to check for – and repair – leaks around the home that are wasting water and money!
Sooke Lake Reservoir, shown here, is the primary storage site for Greater Victoria’s drinking water supply. The Capital Regional District just purchased a property on the north edge of the water supply area to help further protect the supply. (Photo courtesy CRD)

CRD acquires 58.7-hectare watershed to further protect Greater Victoria drinking water supply

Forested area near Grant Lake is part of the Cowichan Valley Regional District

Sooke Lake Reservoir, shown here, is the primary storage site for Greater Victoria’s drinking water supply. The Capital Regional District just purchased a property on the north edge of the water supply area to help further protect the supply. (Photo courtesy CRD)
Soloman and Zev Nagler enjoy time on the beach at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park on a summer day. The Capital Regional District is in the process of determining whether to institute parking fees at this and eight other CRD parks. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD parks committee rejects new Greater Victoria parking fees – again

More arguments against fee hikes, pay parking at nine parks, brought forward by committee members

Soloman and Zev Nagler enjoy time on the beach at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park on a summer day. The Capital Regional District is in the process of determining whether to institute parking fees at this and eight other CRD parks. (Black Press Media file photo)
From Feb. 25 to April 30, the Galloping Goose Trail will be reduced to a single lane between Gorge Road East and Burnside Road East for a Capital Regional District sewer line renewal project. (Map via the Capital Regional District)

CRD sewer work brings delays to Galloping Goose Trail

Parts of trail, Cecelia Ravine Park impacted until April 30

From Feb. 25 to April 30, the Galloping Goose Trail will be reduced to a single lane between Gorge Road East and Burnside Road East for a Capital Regional District sewer line renewal project. (Map via the Capital Regional District)
(Google Sheets/Data from respective financial statements)

Saanich annual wages lower per capita than Victoria, Oak Bay

Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay municipal figures from 2019 compared

(Google Sheets/Data from respective financial statements)
The area near Dallas Road and Eberts Street where ancestral human remains were found Feb. 1. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Ancestral human remains found at Victoria construction site

Remains found Feb. 1 not the first along Dallas Road

The area near Dallas Road and Eberts Street where ancestral human remains were found Feb. 1. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Did you know: A whopping 19 per cent of household indoor water in the CRD goes down the shower drain. The good news is that small changes can lead to big impacts!

How the 5-minute shower pays big dividends

Is there power in a five-minute shower? From both an environmental and…

  • Jan 18, 2021
Did you know: A whopping 19 per cent of household indoor water in the CRD goes down the shower drain. The good news is that small changes can lead to big impacts!