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- May 16 - BC Ferries expects busiest summer yet
May 16 - BC Ferries expects busiest summer yet
Pickleballers test out soundproofing, Saanich looks to avoid secondary suites in rural areas, Beach Dr. speeders caught
Capital Daily Team
May 16, 2024
In partnership with
Good morning !
Today we’re looking at BC Ferries’ plans for a busy summer season. Plus, we have more on the ongoing North Saanich pickleball drama.
— Robyn
Were you hit with BC Ferries sailing waits last summer? |
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
BC Ferries ‘confident’ crew shortages won’t be an issue ahead of busy summer season
Photo: Robyn Bell / Capital Daily
Anticipating a “record-breaking” summer season with more than 8M passengers and 3.2M vehicles (that would be a 7% increase over last year) expected to fill their vessels between June and Sept., BC Ferries is scheduling an additional 350 sailings to push the total past 56K.
“Summer is going to be tough for us. It always is, frankly. But we're ready,” said Jeff Groot, BC Ferries’ executive communications director.
The company says crew shortages that have plagued previous summers won’t be an issue this year—it’s hired and retained more than 1,500 crew members since 2022.
From fixed mechanical issues to free menstrual products onboard, here’s a look at some of the key takeaways from BC Ferries summer sailing announcement.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closures: Check this map to see which Victoria streets are currently affected by construction.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Pickleballers hold sound test in Oak Bay, hoping to save North Saanich courts
Jordan Mikkers measures sound at Carnarvon Park pickleball court. Photo: Mark Brennae / Capital Daily
Sounding off on North Saanich council’s decision earlier this month to close the Wain Park pickleball courts, pickleballers took to science yesterday in an attempt to prove the politicians wrong.
Dozens of players descended on Carnarvon Park to help measure sound levels at Oak Bay’s recently upgraded pickleball courts, which were fitted with sound mitigation panels last year.
“What we’re trying to show is with acoustic panelling combined with the soft [pickleball] paddle, brings the noise level down to kinda regular ambient noise,” said Tessa Graham, vice-president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association (VRPA).
“Because that seems to be the main issue and reason why North Saanich council and mayor shut down the pickleball courts.”
Using a calibrated microphone, Simon Vickers, an Oak Bay program supervisor who has taken up pickleball in the last year—and full disclosure, also has worked on the new softer racquet developed by Oak Bay resident Howard Haugom—spent a few hours yesterday taking a snapshot of sound.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🤣 Russell Peters is coming to Vic! Tickets on sale tomorrow. [Nov. 2]
🏒 Canucks vs. Oilers Game 6 viewing party at SoF Memorial Centre. [Sat.]
🤝 Now hiring: Operations Manager at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature conservatory.
🗞️ In Other News
Oak Bay PD catches two drivers going more than double the speed limit
According to police, both drivers were speeding along Beach Drive, a street that’s become notorious for speeding, despite having a limit of 40km/h. One driver, 19, was caught going 96 km/h on May 11 and another driver, 32, was found going 116 km/h two days later. [Oak Bay PD]
Saanich to ask province for exemption on secondary suites in rural areas
While the district has passed most amendments to meet the province’s requirements for secondary suites, Mayor Dean Murdock says he’s holding out hope that BC will make an exemption for areas outside the urban containment boundary, which council has repeatedly said must be protected to prevent urban sprawl. Murdock says rural areas would not have adequate water or sewage services for growth, and housing growth should be focused in more populous centres. [Times Colonist]
Cancer recovery centre to open across from the Jubilee
The new centre is expected to be finished by next year, adding 12,000 square feet to the BC Cancer Centre. The recovery centre will be used for pre-treatment, as a recovery place during treatment, and for post-treatment to offer holistic care for cancer patients. It will have psychiatrists, counsellors, and oncologists on site. [Victoria News]
🗓️ Things to do
🎡 Luxton Spring Fair: Check out the rides, games, and carnival snacks at this fair in Langford. Today and tomorrow 3-10pm; Sat. and Sun. 12-10pm. [Info]
🦌 Moose Hide Campaign Day: Join the Walk to End Violence Against Women and Children. The Indigenous-led campaign will host events on the Legislature lawn today, 7am-nightfall; the walk is 12-1:15pm. [Details]
⛸️ Stars on Ice: See some of the world’s best figure skaters perform at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre today, 7pm. [Info]
🎷 Keeping It Live!: Help raise money for Victoria’s jazz community at Hermann’s today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm. [Info]
🕯️ Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Abba: See this concert lit entirely by candles at St. Ann’s Academy today, 9:30pm. [Info]
🎻 Resilience and Renewal: Celebrate the unshakeable human spirit at this performance by UVic School of Music faculty at Phillip T. Young Hall today, 7pm. [Info]
🩰 Swan Lake: See Victoria Ballet’s performance of the beloved ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score at Royal Theatre. Tomorrow 7:30pm; Sat. 2pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Wednesday’s headlines: 1 arrest after knife threat on UVic campus; Vic-based group calls for wolf cull kill; FATE has it at Hatley Castle. [May 15]
Alice Munro’s Vic connections. [Capital Daily]
Stop taking my stuff, unhoused say. [Capital Daily]
Frito Lay recall on SunChips Harvest Cheddar and Munchies Original Snack Mix. [Release]
Bear necessities: If you encounter one.
Garbage necessities: If you don’t want to encounter one
LifeLabs privacy breach class-action cheques in the mail. [Info]
Ancient Indigenous game in Vic tourney. [Victoria News]
That’s it!
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