Aug 27 - SpeedWash quick to clean up a noisy situation

Good morning !

The City of Victoria has declared today Del Manak Day. The VicPD chief is about to retire. He’s going to be around today to say hello and thanks. He deserves a big thank you for his dedicated service and hard work.

This morning, we have a new business in Colwood that may have inadvertently hosed some of its new neighbours at first, but came out clean and friendly. Also, the province has set its rent increase cap for 2026.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️26 / 15  

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 24 / 14

Friday: 🌤️19 / 15

7-day forecast

NEWS

New Colwood car wash comes clean to complaints, changes hours of operation

The new large car wash, which bills itself as the longest in the country, said it will adjust its working hours “as a gesture of goodwill while we work together with the community.”

SpeedWash opened last Friday and has been an instant hit with the dirty car set. But many who live nearby stormed to social media when they began to lie awake because of the clamorous noise generated by the operation’s high-pressure blowers.

Others wrote to the Colwood Council to complain, while Aaron and Deanna Mills, who live close to the Sooke Road auto spa, told Monday’s council meeting the noise forced them to their basement.

“They've got these crazy turbines to start out that literally are, like,” (and here he made a loud, guttural spaceship sound), Aaron told the Colwood Council on Monday night.

Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the council was unaware of the noise problem until complaints began to roll in.

“We didn't realize this was a 24/7 operation, and I guess it's pretty spectacular,” he told the council. 

“It's like Las Vegas when you go down there during the evening,” Kobayashi said.

“So we've got them to change the hours of operation so as not to disrupt the neighbours.”

SpeedWash, which has four other BC locations, was quick to add a little understanding to the suds and wax jobs.

“We’ve heard your feedback, and we truly appreciate it,” the company said in a Facebook posting.

“Thank you for supporting us and helping us grow alongside this amazing community.”

No longer a 24-hour operation in Colwood, SpeedWash is now open from 7am to 10pm.

“I want to just say thank you very much for doing that,” a relieved Aaron Mills said to the mayor and council.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

A heat warning has been issued for East and Inland Vancouver Island over the next two days. [Environment Canada]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Annual allowable rent increase cap drops for second straight year

If you rent—as nearly four in 10 Victorians do—the most your landlord will be allowed to increase your monthly bill next year is by 2.3%. That’s down from this year’s cap of three per cent.

“We’re continuing to cap rent increases, linking them to inflation, to reduce housing costs for seniors, families, and individuals, protecting them from unfair hikes,” Christine Boyle, minister of housing and municipal affairs, said in a release.

“At the same time, this rent increase allows landlords to invest in their properties to keep rental homes on the market.”

In 2018, the NDP government changed the formula, and landlords were no longer allowed to increase rents by the rate of inflation plus two per cent.

The anti-poverty group Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) says the current system works well for tenants with relatively stable tenancies, paying close to market rent. However, those who’ve lived in their units for many years and pay below-market rent can face hefty capital expenditure rent increases if a landlord does renovations. Others can become targets for eviction, says Douglas King, the non-profit’s executive director.

King says BC needs to link rent to the unit rather than the tenant and should require landlords to apply to increase the rent.

“The government can then set the circumstances for when a landlord could get a rent increase, limiting it to situations where a landlord genuinely requires and deserves a rent increase,” King tells Capital Daily.

Currently, rents cannot be increased more than once over a 12-month period. 

Increases don’t apply to commercial tenancies, co-operative housing, some assisted-living facilities, and non-profit housing tenancies where rent is linked to income.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🚣 Paddle for Health 2025: Sept. 6. [Register here]

🪷 Esquimalt’s memorial banner program open. [Until Sept. 12]

👮🍩 Retiring VicPD Chief Del Manak is handing out donuts today at various locations.

🎡 The Saanich Fair is this weekend. [Details]

🗞️ In Other News

12-year-old killed in suspected speeding crash near Shawnigan Lake
The child was rollerblading with family members when a northbound Honda Civic appeared to lose control and slam into the youth before hitting a telephone pole. The driver and passenger of the car, both 17, suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. “While we do not suspect that alcohol was involved, it has been determined that speed played an important factor in this tragic incident”, said BC RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alex Bérubé. [RCMP]

Victoria band ordered by BC Ferries to drop its logo 
The rock band, ‘Three Sailing Wait’, took its name from the ferry company’s infamous wait times. Band members say they were told in May to stop using a wordmark that had a motif of waves, in a (very) similar style to BC Ferries’ logo. The ferry company told the band it was receiving inquiries about being affiliated with the Victoria group. The band has since rebranded with a new logo. [CHEK]

Stranger delivers more than 100 pieces of mail to a Saanich couple
A man knocked on the couple’s door and handed them a bag of mail addressed to their home, with items dated up to eight months ago. The man walked away before the couple could ask him why he had their letters. The mail contained bank statements and tax documents, though all of it appeared unopened. Every item was addressed correctly. Canada Post said it is looking into the matter. [Times Colonist]

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!

Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎪 Mister Mojo and the Magic Band: Bring the kids for this entertaining children's music performance in the park as part of the city's summer concert series. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 11am-12pm. [Info]

🧘 All Levels Flow Yoga: Drop into this free outdoor yoga session with One Yoga. Mats available, but bring your own if you can, along with a water bottle. Ship Point. Today. 12-12:45pm. [Info]

🎵 Noedy HD Quartet: Enjoy this live music act as part of Summer at Ship Point, featuring food trucks, games, and outdoor entertainment for all ages. Today. Ship Point. 5-6:30pm. [Info]

🏢 ICA Canadian Workplace Culture Workshop: Navigate the Canadian workforce with confidence by learning communication styles, professional etiquette, and workplace norms that are perfect for newcomers and international students. Intercultural Association Victoria. Boardroom 517. Today. 9:30am-12:30pm. [Info]

🎨 Public Art Tour: Join the Community Action Bus for a unique journey through Victoria's iconic and hidden public art with creative prompts to engage deeply with local culture. Open Space Gallery. Today. 6:30-9pm. $15-25 sliding scale. [Info]

🛥️ 46th Annual Classic Boat Festival: See up to 100 classic boats, visit the docks, cheer on your favourite boats in the races, and take part in one of our many activities. Inner Harbour & Ship Point. Fri.-Sun. [Info]

🍽️ Farm to Table Dinner: Join us at Island View Farm for an intimate evening celebrating the late summer harvest with a long table, family-style dinner. Island View Farm & Mini Golf. Sept. 5. 6pm. [Info]   

🦭 Wildlife Coexistence Symposium: The Wild Wise Society provides expert talks, interactive exhibits, and real-life case studies so participants gain practical knowledge on coexisting with a diverse range of terrestrial and marine species, including salmon, seals, whales, bears, cougars, and wolves. Edward Milne Community School. Sept. 20. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: James Bay gas station still stalled; BC Bus Pass to join Umo system next week; Victoria’s Tyson Barrie calls it an NHL career. [Capital Daily]

How to lend and borrow outdoor equipment without exchanging money. [Capital Daily]

Public hearing set for redevelopment of former Cadboro Bay United Church site. [Times Colonist]

Missing ferry cat found: Luigi, a tuxedo cat that escaped its owner’s car on a BC Ferries vessel, was reunited with its people after two weeks. [CHEK]

Allokelping: Southern Resident killer whales use kelp as a tool. [Center for Whale Research]

It’s a bird, it’s a… moth? A hummingbird hawk moth is seen visiting flowers in Tofino. [Facebook video]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: