Oct 27 - Beacon Wharf staying as-is, it would a pier, Vic shoplifters get lifted

Good morning !

I’m sure you’ve noticed, the Capital Regional District has been growing, with new buildings popping up all over the place.

The Roundhouse at Bayview Place project near the (also fairly new) Blue Bridge is the latest, with nine buildings to house 1,875 residential units and 70K square feet of new retail and commercial space.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 9 / 1

Tomorrow: ☀️ 9 / 3

Sunday: ☀️ 9 / 2

7-day forecast

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Sidney extends life of Beacon Wharf—for now

Beacon Wharf has been, well, a beacon in these parts for more than a century—but any visitor to the Sidney shoreline can easily deduce the pier has seen better days, so the question continues to be what to do with it.

The Town of Sidney took ownership of the wharf in 2006, and has been trying to figure out that question since.

Consultants brought in to examine the wharf found that while it’s in fair condition, it will require extensive and urgent repairs as soon as approximately three years, with an estimated cost of $388K.

Though the structure is believed to have a remaining life of less than 10 years, council has decided to keep the wharf as-is until 2026.

And even though they’ve had their commercial leases extended, the writing may be on the wall for the iconic Satellite Fish Market and The Pier Bistro, the only remaining structures on the dock. 

Read more from Sidney Coles on the history—and future—of the Beacon Wharf.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Kayakers and residents near Metchosin’s Bentinck Island be cautioned: Canadian Forces personnel will be using the demolition range near Rocky Point, so it will be noisy. 9am to 4pm today through Tue., excluding the weekend.

Paving work on Tillicum between Craigflower and Gorge Bridge should conclude today. Expect traffic delays between 9am and 3pm.

NEWS

19 new safe homes open for women and children fleeing violence in Victoria

The recently opened building offers 12 permanent affordable homes and seven temporary second-stage homes for women, including trans women and non-binary people, to seek safety with their children.

The second-stage units are intended as transitional housing, allowing those who stay there time and resources to transition to permanent homes.

In a statement, Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said these units will “provide hope and healing for those escaping violence and trauma.”

The building is located in an undisclosed area of town, and its operators, The Cridge Centre for the Family, will provide support for those in secondary housing to move to permanent homes.

Clients in the 12 permanent units will pay either 30% of their salary for rent or, if they’re on income or disability assistance, the BC shelter rate, which is based on the size of the family unit.

The province pitched in $11.2M for the project, including costs to buy and renovate the building. BC also will provide more than $400K in annual operating support, part of the province’s $19-billion housing investment.

“The availability of safe and affordable housing is essential in supporting women to leave dangerous abusive situations,” said Joanne Linka with The Cridge Centre for the Family.

“No one should ever be forced to decide between being abused or being homeless.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

👻 Downtown howls: Market Square is once again Market Scare.

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🗞️ In Other News

Island breweries have a Riot at Canada Beer Cup competition
Riot Brewing Co., out of Chemainus won a bronze medal in the mild ale category for its Working Class Hero Dark Mild. Hoyne, Whistle Buoy, Vancouver Island, Category 12, Courtney’s Ace Brewing, Sooke Oceanside, Saltspring Brewing, Port Alberni’s Twin City, Parksville’s Mount Arrowsmith and Campbell River’s Beach Fire all won awards for their suds.

Two drivers caught going waaay too fast on Pat Bay
The first driver, an international student, was travelling 145 km/hr last Sunday. The following day, a Langford resident was clocked at 144 km/hour. The speed limit is 90. Sidney / North Saanich RCMP charged them with speeding and impounded their vehicles.

Vic council’s downtown liaison wants a 24/7 outdoor W/C
Coun. Dave Thompson says people who live or work near Pandora and Vancouver to Quadra have told him they’re tired of having to clean feces and urine. The Our Place water closet facilities close at 9pm, and people at a homeless encampment need a place to go. [Times Colonist]

VicPD arrest 20, seize $25K in shoplifting spree from one store
More than half of those arrested are suspected of taking more than $1K in merchandise from the unnamed retailer on Johnson. One person was found to have more than $3K in ill-gotten goods during the Oct. 16-18 investigation, police said.

Oregon man found guilty of exploiting two Island children
The man, 37, was sentenced to 20 years in a US prison after being found guilty of stalking three BC children—two from the Island, the other from Surrey—and coercing them into sharing sexually explicit photos. [CTV]

Province opens 40 more substance-use treatment beds on the Island
Cedars Recovery will get 15 new beds in Cobble Hill, Homewood Nanaimo's Edgewood Treatment will receive 10, while five new beds are destined for Ravensview in North Saanich. There will be an additional 10 Indigenous-focused beds at the Kackaamin Family Development Centre in Port Alberni. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

⛲ Stadacona Park playground grand opening. Help kick off the opening with games, activities, music and refreshments. Tomorrow. 10am-12pm. [Info]

📖 Globe-trotting, history-hunting author Ken McGoogan signs his latest book Searching for Franklin: New Light on the Great Arctic Mystery. Munro’s Books on Government. Today. 3-4pm.

🐦 Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary turns 100 today. A series of free, family-friendly events focussing on learning about and celebrating nature in the city. Various locations. Today. 11am-4pm.

🎃 Halloween Party at The Hallway: Enjoy dinner and live music at this swanky Halloween party. Tonight. 7pm, with dancing until midnight. [Info]

👠 Rocky Horror Picture Show. Oh Brad. Oh Janet. Vic Theatre. 6:45 & 9:30pm tonight. 7:30pm tomorrow. [Tickets]

🎤 Stevie and Friends: This tribute to Stevie Nicks and musical pals, such as Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty will take place at the McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎤 Tribute to Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Enjoy Young’s classics at this show—Halloween costumes encouraged. Tonight at 8:30pm. Doors at 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Adopt a bat for Bat Week. See a moss-covered skull and a saved spider. [Newsletter]

Passengers cried, held hands, called loved ones after lightning struck Vic-bound chopper. [CTV]

New safe spaces for children and families dealing with abuse. [Capital Daily]

Photo: See a cushion star taken underwater near Clover Point by a snorkeler.

That’s it!

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