May 31 - Cell tower won't be parked at PKOLS

Good morning !

We begin the day with a towering story that may finally be settled. Saanich’s council has found a home for a new communications tower. We also celebrate the sea because well, it’s all around us and it’s pretty darn interesting.

But the poll this morning can only be about one thing.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today:  🌤️ 18 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 18 / 10

Sunday: 🌧️ 13 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

PKOLS-Mt. Doug won’t look like this: Saanich says no to parking lot tower

Saanich council didn’t want to go down as the people who blocked a view of paradise—even from a parking lot—so a replacement emergency and cellphone tower will be built adjacent to the one it will replace at PKOLS-Mt. Doug—not at the summit.

“This is a win-win,” said Darrel Wick, president of PKOLS-Mount Douglas Conservancy, which has been working to protect and preserve the natural environment of PKOLS since the late 1980s. “Saanich is getting their tower and we saved the park.”

The current tower has aged out and needs to be replaced to comply with federal regulatory standards that come into play next year. The council saw proposals spanning seven sites for the 30-40-metre tower, which is used by cellphone companies and CREST, the region’s emergency communications network.

Staff recommended the new tower be erected in the parking lot to minimize any environmental damage. But in an unusual move Monday, the council voted unanimously to reject that proposal and to go with “Option A: A new tower adjacent to [the] existing tower.”

“It is unusual,” Coun. Susan Brice tells Capital Daily. “In this case, I think the component of the decision-making from my perspective, was something that an elected person can put a value on that is perhaps not as easy for the administrator to put a value on, and to my way of thinking, it's just simply esthetics.”

Brice called the view at the summit spiritual. “To take that walk up and to imagine a large steel tower there ruins it, and so our thinking was if there is another location, that's where it has to go, make it work.”

Coun. Colin Plant said he doesn’t take any pleasure in disagreeing with staff’s recommendations, but he didn’t “want to be a part of a council that potentially ruins an iconic view.”

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Racist Incident Helpline: The new toll-free support service is for those who have been subjected to discrimination. Call 1-833-HLP-LINE. 

David Huntley, 34, wanted, considered dangerous. [RCMP]

Road closure: Quadra between Inverness and Cook at Cloverdale is closed today for water main replacement, 9am-3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Ocean Week Victoria kicks off tomorrow

Ocean Week is about to make a splash throughout Victoria. The eight-day festival will feature a range of educational events, all to help us appreciate the ocean life that surrounds our Island.

This is the third in-person celebration of Ocean Week Victoria—the festival was launched in 2020, but cancelled twice because of the pandemic—and this year there will be nearly 200 events across Canada, with Victoria hosting 30+ from June 1-9. 

“Why a whole week of activities to learn about the ocean? Well, all life depends on the ocean,” said Heather Murray, organizer of World Ocean Week Victoria. “Every second breath you take comes from the ocean.” 

Murray says it’s important to appreciate the value of a healthy ocean in our day-to-day lives—and those of future generations.

The week will come to a head next weekend for World Ocean Day—with 10 different ocean-loving activities happening across town and a final celebration at Fisherman’s Wharf on Sun. June 9. 

From paddleboarding and kayak tours to marine-themed arts and crafts, and ocean pub trivia, there are plenty of activities for kids and adults alike. 

Check out our full roundup of events here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

⛴️ Clipper deal to Seattle all summer. [Sounds fun] 

⚾🧼 Donate soap at HarbourCats games. [Soap for Hope]

🍩 OSO Dessert Bar is opening at the Bay Centre bringing their mouthwatering crolls, gourmet donuts, treat-topped cookies, gourmet coffees and so much more! Grand Opening June 8 from 10 am to 6 pm. Plan your visit!*

🎤 Sarah McLachlan coming to Victoria for her tour's final stop this fall. 

🤝 Now hiring: Enhanced Executive Support Analyst–Full Time—Victoria at ISM.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

3 arrested for pepper spraying unhoused people downtown
They were booked Mon. afternoon amid reports of an attack on Pandora. Julian Daly, CEO of the Our Place Society which is near the encampment, said staff saw three people attack 10 to 12 unhoused people and threaten them with batons. VicPD has yet to release details, including those about charges. [Victoria News]

Victoria artist wins Ironman medal he designed
Jamin Zuroski has designed the finishing medals and flags for the Ironman 70.3 since 2022—this year, he decided to compete. Zuroski not only completed the race held last weekend on the Saanich Peninsula, but he won it—biking 90km, swimming 1.9km, and running 21.1 km—to receive his own medal depicting an orca in the Kwakwaka’wakw form. [Victoria News]

Lambrick Park may get multimillion-dollar remake
The Ian Stewart Complex on Gordon Head is slated to close in two years to build housing and that leaves Saanich needing more sports facilities. The council has voted to phase in renovations to Lambrick which could include a new ice surface—estimated cost $40M-$62M—playing fields, and amenities. Saanich’s council has provided $500K to fund the research part of the project. [Times Colonist]

Feist and The Beaches named to play Rifflandia’s Day 3
The music festival’s Sunday concert will also feature De La Soul, Bob Moses, and L7. TLC will headline on Sat., while Fri. will star Rezz and Ja Rule. The festival runs Sept. 13-15 at the Matullia Lands. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party: The 62nd annual summer fair returns to Willows Park with the usual rides, games, live music, and carnival food. Today. 4-10pm; Tomorrow. 10am-10pm; Sun. 10am-7pm [Intro]

🥳 Cook Street Block Party: The Cook Street Village Business Association and CCGF Events present the 5th annual Village Block Party to celebrate the Cook Street Village and the Fairfield Neighbourhood community. June 9. 10am-6pm. [Info]

📚 Summer Book Sale: St. Mary’s Churchmouse Books celebrates all things green. St. Mary The Virgin Anglican Church. June 8. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🧑‍🚒 Wildfire Preparedness Day: Broombusters in Sooke leads the event at Stickleback Urban Trail Head near Journey Middle School on Ponds Park Corridor. Sun. 11am-1pm. [Info]

😂 Theatresports: Head to Kwench to watch this competitive improv comedy show. Today. 8pm. [Info]

🍕 Victoria Autism Family Pizza Night: For those on the autism spectrum and their loved ones, make new friends at this pizza night. Today. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎵 Good Vibrations: Hear pop classics sung by the Starlight Pops choir at the Dave Dunnet Theatre at Oak Bay High School. Today. 7:30pm; Sun. 2:30pm. [Info]

🎙️ Somewhere: Hear selections from the great American songbook, performed by talented Island musicians at Hermann’s. Today. 7pm. [Info]

🎈 Folktoria: This festival is back in Centennial Square with live performances, international food, games, and art. Tomorrow. 12-8pm; Sun. 11am-7pm. [Info]

⚰️ How to talk about death in a comfortable setting, with accurate information, food and drinks, and a fun atmosphere. Caffe Fantastico on Kings. Thu. June 6. 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: City of Victoria releases municipal vehicle trading cards; Bear Mountain ownership has trust breakdown; Border workers contract talks; And more. [May 30] 

Toxic drugs lead to 35 Island youth deaths in last 5 years. [Capital Daily] 

HarbourCats get royal boot from RAP for playoffs. [Capital Daily] 

WSANEC matriarchs raise funds to buy back land. [Capital Daily] 

Minimum wage goes up 65 cents/hour tomorrow. [$17.40]

BC man on trial for attempt to kidnap then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. [CHEK / AP]

Fawns snuggle in the grass in Nanaimo. [Video]

That’s it!

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