April 26 - New swimming dock looks Gorge-ous

Good morning !

I mentioned the other day I have started to do yoga. I’ve also taken a shine to some quick dips in the ocean and have met some nice folks along Dallas on Sat. mornings. I’m looking forward to checking out the Gorge in June.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 13 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 12 / 8

Sunday: 🌧️ 10 / 6

7-day forecast

NEWS

Gorge swimming area closed now, expanded dock to open in the summer

In its early stages, the city’s plan to expand the diving dock at Gorge Marine Park appears to be moving along swimmingly. Fencing has been erected and public access to the Banfield dock is closed. Construction is beginning on what’s going to be a pretty cool-looking bigger new place to swim. Check out these renderings on the city’s website. 

“We’re responding to the growing demand for dock access and swimming at Banfield Park,” Coun. Jeremy Caradonna tells Capital Daily. “This will be the spot to be in the warm summer months.” 

The $300K project will: 

• provide a new floating swim platform to connect with the existing dock

• reconfigure the existing dock and replace its gangway

• provide a personal floatation device (PFD) loaner station

• mark the recreational swimming area with anchored buoys 

The city is putting in an additional accessible porta-potty as the community centre’s W/Cs are a bit of a walk/swim/bike ride away, which reminds me, that more bike parking is coming, too.

Historically, the Gorge was Vic’s place to swim until the advent of the original Crystal Pool in 1926. Following an era when the shorelines fell into disrepair and tipping old kitchen appliances into the drink was de rigueur, the Gorge underwent some serious cleanup measures in the 1990s and has once again become a splashy place to beat the heat. A floating swim platform was placed in the water in 2021 and expanded the following year, more than doubling dock space.

The city is expecting the place to be packed in the summer and has banned motorized vessels from entering the protected recreational area nearby. Caradonna says the project should be completed by the end of June, “just in time for the busy swim season.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Get updated measles immunization, Island Health advises. 

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Super initiative brings smiles to Island hospitals

Island Health is packing a super powerful program to present to Island hospitals. Since Jan., the health authority has partnered with Superheroes of Victoria Volunteer Society (SOVVS), a benevolent bunch of admirable good guys who impersonate popular comic book and movie characters. The superheroes pay monthly visits to young patients at VGH to try to bring some joy to their hospital stays.

"You feel the shift in the air when the superheroes arrive," Krista Molia, Island Health Child Life Specialist at Victoria General Hospital (VGH), said in a statement. “I hope these moments of adventure and laughter become the memories that our young patients take home with them, overshadowing any fear or pain that comes with being in the hospital."

While SOVVS has worked with VGH in the past—it began its stopovers in 2009—the partnership ensures regular visits at least once a month. The volunteers are expected to do more than pull off a convincing Captain America. They’re trained in emergency protocols, infection control, cultural safety, and confidentiality, among other health-care protocols.

Greg Foster, SOVVS volunteer director, calls staff the real heroes. “We just put on the costumes.”

NEWS

Still no answers a year after RidgeView Place evacuation

Residents of the Langford highrise were forced to move with little notice last April. One resident, Ashley MacDonald told the Times Colonist she has not been updated by the city or Centurion Property Associates Inc.—the owner of the building—since about a week after she and 130 residents were forced to leave. 

MacDonald was one of several residents to voice their frustration with Langford’s council last year for a perceived lack of transparency, with many saying it was unclear why they had to leave their homes so unexpectedly.

The building’s occupancy licence was revoked following a letter from an engineering association highlighting unresolved structural design flaws.

It was the second time the building was evacuated. In 2019, known then as Danbrook One, it was deemed seismically unsafe. In 2022, the building engineer’s licence was revoked. Renamed RidgeView Place, it reopened that same year, following the completion of structural repairs.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🍣 Uni Modern Japanese Restaurant is opening in the location previously occupied by JR Slims at 1245 Wharf. 

🍨 Taylor Swift-inspired ice cream launched by Parachute Ice Cream, featuring seven flavours inspired by the pop icon’s songs. Available in scoops and pints while supplies last.

💲 Your opinions are vital! Take Victoria's 2024 Vital Signs citizen survey today for a chance to win one of three $100 Country Grocer gift cards!*

🤝 Now hiring: Account Executive at Capital Daily. 

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Sunfest Country Music Festival announces lineup, goes Urban
Keith Urban returns to the Cowichan Valley to headline—he played Sunfest in 2015—along with Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, and The Washboard Union. More than 20 performers will join them when the festival camps out at Laketown Ranch Aug. 1-4. [Sunfest]

Volunteers working to shelter Emerson from seal starers 
The elephant seal is moulting for another couple of weeks which usually means the animal will find a secluded spot. But Emerson—ever the socialite—is shedding his skin in full public view. He’s moved—and has been moved five times—and now he’s seaside on Beach Drive near the Oak Bay Marina. The DFO has organized a group of volunteers to ensure people don’t get too close to him. [Times Colonist]

UVic gets a platinum STARS sustainability rating
The university is one of 14 post-secondary institutions worldwide to receive the platinum rating that highlights sustainability practices in academics and research, operation, planning and administration, and engagement. UVic has achieved gold in the ranking system three times since 2014. 

Victoria resident wins BC Children’s Hospital grand prize
The winner, identified as A. Naylor, will get to pick their prize from options including $2.3M in cash or one of nine houses available on the Island or Lower Mainland. Two other Islanders scored big with the hospital’s lottery: a winner in Cumberland won $1.2M in the 50/50 draw and another lucky Vic duck got $290K with the early bird. [CHEK]

TASTING VICTORIA AWARDS

Last chance to vote!

Voting closes today, so make sure to cast your votes for your favourite local restaurants in all 18 categories! Vote now.

🗓️ Things to do

☂️ Mary Poppins: See the VOS Musical Theatre production of the beloved musical that takes flight. McPherson Playhouse. May 3-12. [Info]

🎵 Georgiy Matviyiv: Ukrainian Bandura Concert. A captivating musical event featuring the renowned Georgiy Matviyiv and his Incredible Bandura ensemble. St. Nicholas Ukrainian Hall. Sun. 4-6pm. [Info]

🩰 Ballets Jazz Montreal: The contemporary dance company will perform at the Royal Theatre. Today and tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎧 Mark Farina: The American DJ/musician will perform at Capital Ballroom. Today. Doors 9pm. Show 10pm. [Info]

🪕 Bob Dylan tribute: Two Bobs and A Mule will perform the music of the beloved folk singer at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info]

🎤 Emo Night: Dance to the greatest emo hits at Lucky Bay. Tonight. 10pm-2am. [Info]

🌱 Sooke community clean up: Help remove broom and other invasive species near the Broomhill playground. Refreshments will be provided. Today. 9:30am. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Green Party deputy leader and activist sentenced to jail; Carjacking suspect arrested 3 times in 3 days; Nurses told not to stop illicit drug use in hospitals; And more. [April 25] 

Cowichan hit-and-run victim was teen girl: [CHEK]

Bodies found in Washington state confirmed to be of missing Island kayakers. [RCMP]

First humpback calf of 2024 spotted in Salish Sea. [PWWA]

Victoria Pickleball Centre grand opening and open house. [Today 5-9pm]

City Nature Challenge. [CRD Biodiversity]

Victoria Music Strategy grant calls for application. [$150K]

That’s it!

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