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There’s another worthy fundraiser that could use a few eyeballs and a few more dollars.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☀️14 / 6

Tomorrow: ☀️18 / 6

Friday: 🌦️15 / 7

7-day forecast

It's a "Hurry! Hard!" time for the Victoria Curling Club (VCC), which needs to raise $75K by the end of the month to secure its future. 

The 70-year-old club on Quadra needs a new ice plant to replace its current system that’s about half that age. Replacing the ice-making equipment is going to cost about $850K, including installation.

The VCC has already raised $600K, and last week, the City of Victoria agreed to provide a $175K grant on the condition that the curling club comes up with the remaining $75K to keep the rink operational.

"We must order the new plant by the end of April 2026 to ensure the future of curling in Victoria," the club states on its website.
"Our ice plant—the heart of our operations—is at the end of its life," it says. "Without immediate replacement, curling at VCC will cease, and with it, the countless community programs and partnerships we proudly deliver."

So, following a trend in local fundraising (see Hermann's), the VCC has launched a donation campaign called Our Ice. Our Future.

"Help us preserve this historic facility for future generations of curlers and community users by donating today, and please, spread the word," the club urges. 

The VCC provides programs for young people, schools and universities, seniors, and Special Olympics athletes. During the off-season, when the ice is removed, the venue hosts meetings, events, prayer gatherings, and police training. This summer, it will be a primary venue for the Ska and Reggae Festival.

The vast majority (84%) of operating money comes directly from the club’s 1K or so members, the club said.

Saanich road closure: Christmas at Kremlin, 24 hours, through April 17
Kremlin between Kisber and Midgard, 4pm to 8am (overnight), through April 17

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic:
Reynolds between Cedar Hill and Cumberland, 8:30am to 3:30pm, through Friday
Admirals between Cowper and Arundel, 9am to 3:30pm, through April 17

Sooke Road: Overnight BC Hydro work. [Until April 24]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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If you noticed some people wearing green yesterday—St. Paddy’s Day was last month, so that wasn’t why.

It was Green Shirt Day. Even a day later, it’s worth talking about. Green Shirt Day is a day to support organ donor awareness in Canada.

Spawned from a tragedy, Green Shirt Day observes the anniversary of a selfless act from a junior hockey player.

On April 6, 2018, a bus carrying players from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Humboldt Broncos was involved in a horrific crash.

Sixteen of the 29 passengers were killed, including Logan Boulet, who succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Boulet’s parents followed their son’s instructions, approving the donation of his organs so that six strangers could live.

Inspired by coach and mentor Ric Suggitt—whose organs were donated to six others upon his death one year earlier—Boulet registered as an organ donor. 

According to the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA), as news about Boulet’s organ donation spread, an estimated 150K people registered in the weeks that followed. Organizers call this phenomenon “The Logan Boulet Effect," and it remains the largest single surge of new organ donors in Canadian history.

The first Green Shirt Day was held in 2019, bringing with it an echo of the Logan Boulet Effect: 100K more signed up.

More important numbers: Each year, approximately 250 Canadians die waiting for an organ transplant.

The CTA says 90% of Canadians say they support organ donation, but only 32% have actually registered to donate.

Read more and consider registering here.

What if school weren’t just preparation for life but part of it?

At Glenlyon Norfolk School, students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are seen, supported, and empowered to lead with confidence and compassion. Through the International Baccalaureate continuum and a community of care, the GNS Effect begins early, and it lasts a lifetime.

We invite families to attend an upcoming Open House in April to discover how personalized learning, leadership, and belonging come together to shape extraordinary futures. Meet staff, students, and parents, and experience the energy of Glenlyon Norfolk School firsthand. From inquiry-based learning to a vibrant co-curricular life, come see why GNS is the perfect place for your child to thrive.

Register for your visit today!

🎾 New recreational court booking system launches today. [City of Victoria]

🌺 Sooke Secret Garden and Artisans Tour. [June 6 & 7]

🎶 Blue Rodeo plays Parksville on Aug. 21.

A timeless love story reimagined through memory and myth—See Orpheus & Eurydice live at the Royal Theatre, April 22-28.

As Eurydice slips between worlds, Orpheus journeys through grief and ventures into the underworld to bring her back, revealing a touching story of devotion beyond death. Tickets from $35.

Downtown Y to open in new Bay Centre location tomorrow
Moving a couple of blocks from Broughton, the new Y takes the top-floor space previously occupied by GoodLife Fitness, which closed in August 2024. The Y doesn’t have a pool, but its 20K renovated square feet of workout space includes strength and conditioning tools and cardio machines. Members will benefit from updated change rooms, a new sound system, and two free hours of parking in the Bay Centre parkade. [CHEK]

BC Transit’s new $3.8 million website is up and running
The transit authority says the website, which went live last week, is faster and easier to navigate. It says the new site is also less prone to crashing when a lot of people flock to it at the same time, such as on snow days. BC Transit says it receives, on average, 200K unique visitors each month across the 48 different transportation systems it runs throughout the province. [Times Colonist]

Gordon Head man breaks record for longest journey in a 3-wheeled vehicle
Islander Seth Scott and English mate Oliver Jenks completed the international voyage in a Reliant Robin they call Sheila. The two met during a charity driving adventure to Mongolia from Europe, which inspired Scott to propose a London-to-Cape Town trek. The duo documented the 131-day, 25K km odyssey with regular updates on YouTube as they travelled through 22 countries. [Black Press]

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🎨 Watercolours for Wellness: Spring Splendour. A three-part workshop series taking place over the next three Wednesdays, guided by Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Helga Strauss. Carr House. Today. 10am-12pm. [Info]

🎲 Board Game Night: La Société francophone de Victoria invites you to discover new games and enjoy the on-site bar. La Société francophone de Victoria, on Langley. Today. 6-8pm. [Info]  

🎺 The Don Leppard Jazz Orchestra: Victoria's 17-piece Don Leppard Big Band swings through classics from Basie, Ellington, Buddy Rich, and beyond. Hermann's. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

🔢🎵 Gherkins Music Bingo Night: The Gordon Head Refugee Sponsorship Community Group hosts this fundraiser. Fernwood Inn. Tonight. 7-9pm. [Info]

⚜️Réseau franco: Official Launch. This francophone cultural and academic initiative within UVic’s School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures is making its official launch. University Club, UVic. April 17. 5-7pm. [Info]  RSVP by tomorrow.

📻 Choral Evolution: All-request radio live in concert with a 50-member choir comprised of singers from all walks of life. Sooke Community Hall & Juan de Fuca 55+ Auditorium. May 1 & 2. 7:30pm & 2pm. [Info]

🏒  First Annual United Professionals Charity Classic: Registration is now open for hockey players for this event, with proceeds to be donated to End2End Cancer. Save on Foods Memorial Centre. May 30. 2-7pm. [Info]

Tuesday’s headlines: It’s been 10 years since RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett was killed in the line of duty in Langford; Nature cleaning goes a long way; and students try to save middle-school music programs. [April 7]

VIDEO: A cougar swimming off the coast of Tofino. [CHEK]

Defaced with graffiti: Quadra grocery store’s Iranian-themed ads. [Times Colonist]

Recall of CO-OP brand Creamy Garlic and Spinach Salad due to potential Listeria contamination. 

Rhodo Rave at Abkhazi Garden. [Starts Friday]

Summer camp registration opens April 13. [City of Victoria]

St. Luke’s Spring Fair is on April 25.

Watch: 2 bald eagles rescued after being caught in power lines in Surrey. [CTV]

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