Parks & Trails Master Plan: Implementation

The District of Sooke has applied for grant funding for this project from the Government of Canada's Active Transportation Fund. If successful, this funding will support up to 60 percent of the total eligible costs to a maximum federal contribution of $1,307,610. The balance has been allocated in the 2023-24 financial plan in the amount of $1,022,390 for a total project cost of $2,330,000.

On March 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm the District of Sooke closed the Engineering Services and Project Management RFP for Little River Pedestrian Crossing. This request for proposals (RFP) was issued to evaluate prospective firms with demonstrated capacity to assemble a team of professionals to complete the final design of the multi-use trail, boardwalks, and pedestrian bridge, prepare tender documents and project manage the construction of the project.

ISL Engineering Ltd. was the successful Little River Crossing RFP proponent and will work to bring the project to final design in hopes of a favourable grant outcome. Alternatively, further funding arrangements will be explored to allow for a timely realization of this high-priority community project.

Today, Mayor Maja Tait and SEAPARC Program Manager, Colleen Hoglund, were joined by T’Sou-ke Nation Artist, Shelley Davies to unveil a new park entry sign for Raven’s Ridge Park.

Davies designed the raven or SQTO as it is called in SENĆOŦEN displayed on the sign. The park name selected, with support from the T’Sou-ke Nation, to connect with the origins of the land and recognize the bird frequently seen flying over the park.

Raven’s Ridge Park is 3.99 hectare parcel at 2430 Phillips Road, dedicated to the District of Sooke as a result of subdivision in September 2014, and is home to the community multi-use sport box which opened on June 26, 2022.

Fun fact: Young ravens are fond of playing games with sticks, repeatedly dropping them and diving to catch them in mid-air – fitting in an area that supports lacrosse and hockey (as two games played with sticks).

The District of Sooke received a grant for $358,000 to revitalize the Sooke Potholes (Lot 1 - Sooke Potholes Gateway) by widening two staircases that access the beaches from the parking lot, constructing two accessible pit toilets, adding wayfinding and visitor information, and refurbishing the parking lot which will provide accessible stalls and additional capacity for parking and social distancing. In June, the District awarded the engineering services contract to McElhanney to provide construction-ready design, project management and construction services for the project.

Staff are currently reviewing the final design drawings in preparation for tendering later this month.

Current timelines will work towards project completion by the May-long weekend. However, supply chain issues could impact this schedule.

We are planning for the future of Long Spit (Whiffin Spit) Park in the face of climate change, sea level rise and increases in park use.

In September, the District awarded a contract to KWL to analyze existing data available for predicted sea level rise and shoreline-specific conditions to provide short-term and long-term options to retain the environmental, recreational, and cultural values of Long Spit (the Spit). Through this project, we will also analyze the park and adjacent streets to determine if there is an opportunity to improve parking.

The consultants will provide near-term and long-term solutions for the Spit. In the near-term, they will analyze the existing data and provide a report on pros and cons of establishing the natural channel and providing options to retain pedestrian/vehicular access to the end of the Spit. Green shores design principles will be used where practical. On the long-term, the consultants will provide a report on the impacts of sea level rise and increase resiliency to storm action using green shores design principles

The consultants will also provide an analysis of the road rights of way within 500 m of the park to create 24 off-site parking spots thus increasing available parking by 50%. Conceptual design drawings with class D estimates for offsite parking may include reconfiguring the existing parking lot. Specific timelines for this phase of the project are not currently available.

We will continue to keep you informed on this project as new information becomes available.

The District posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) pertaining to Long Spit (Whiffin Spit) Master Plan development in June 2022 with a closing date of July 6, 2022. The purpose of the RFP is to engage a suitably qualified Professional Engineer to analyze existing data available for predicted sea level rise and shoreline-specific conditions to provide short-term and long-term options to retain the environmental, recreational, and cultural values of Long Spit (the Spit).

At this time, the District envisions an elevated walkway for a portion of the Spit which is most susceptible to erosion, green shores design elements to mitigate storm surges and winter wave action which affect on both the Spit’s structure and the inner harbour, and a plan to increase parking.

The latest updates to the Development Costs Charges (DCCs)provide a new funding source for several parks projects.

Since February 2021, the District has undertaken a review of DCCs. DCCs are fees collected from land developers, on a user-pay basis, to help fund the cost of the new infrastructure and parks needed to service new development. DCCs help ensure developers pay their fair share of the costs required to develop new infrastructure and park improvements. With the adoption of an updated bylaw, DCC Bylaw No. 755, 2021, park projects eligible for funding through DCCs include:

• Town Centre Park Acquisition;
• Whiffin Spit Master Plan;
• New Town Centre Park Master Plan;
• New Trail Access at Seabroom Road;
• Demamiel Creek/Little River Crossing; and
• Various trailhead improvements.

Learn more about DCC's >>

The community sport box, located at 2430 Phillips Road, will open this Sunday, June 26th and a grand opening celebration will kick things off. The festivities will include:

• 4:15 p.m. – Blessing from T’Sou-ke Elder, remarks and ribbon cutting with special guests;
• 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Free hot dogs and cupcakes;
• 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Draw Prizes;
• 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Games and activities with SEAPARC Recreation Program Leaders;
• 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – (mini) lacrosse game featuring Juan de Fuca Whalers U13 Players; and
• 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – (mini) ball hockey game featuring U9 Sooke Minor Hockey Association Players.

Those attending are encouraged to walk, bike and carpool to the event. Accessible parking and forty parking stalls are available in the temporary parking lot, accessed by the marked laneway off Phillips Road.

The facility will be operated by SEAPARC. Please contact SEAPARC for rental and program information:

• Tel: 250.642.8000
• Website: seaparc.ca

This project was made possible thanks to our funding partners:

• Province of British Columbia $892,778 Canada Infrastructure Community, Culture and Recreation Program Grant; and
• $400,00 contribution from the District of Sooke Amenity Reserve Fund, established with a contribution from Sunriver Estates.

After several weather delays, the floor for the community multi-use sports box in Sunriver has been poured!

Crews will soon start installing the rink boards as they work towards a May 2022 soft opening with a grand opening event in June 2022.

Staff have been working with School District 62, stakeholders, and a consulting team to produce a 50% design drawing of the DeMamiel Creek (Little River) Pedestrian Crossing (DCPC) and are continuing to seek alternative funding sources to move this project forward.

In October 2021, the district submitted grant applications for up to 60% of project funds through two streams of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Grant (Rural and Northern Communities Program; Community, Culture and Recreation Program). The District has not received notice regarding these applications and understands the significance of this project for the community. As such, the District has submitted an application through the Government of Canada's Active Transportation Fund.

The updated expected total cost of this project will be $2.179 million of which, if successful, grants will cover approximately 60% of the costs. This project will build 400 meters of new trail, 40 meters of boardwalk, and a 40-metre bridge over DeMamiel Creek. The grant will also provide grade improvements to 180 m of the existing trail and a signalized crosswalk on Sunriver Way.

Funding the remaining portion of the project will come fund municipal funding sources such as the Carbon Tax, Community Building Fund and could include property taxes. These details will be brought forward during the 2023 budget process.

Today, the Stickleback Dog Park, located at 2276 Church Road on the Stickleback Urban Trail, opened and quickly welcomed its first visitors!

A dog park in Sooke has been a long-talked-about amenity and desired by many in the community, so to have the soft opening here is an exciting community milestone. "As soon as I unlocked the gate, we had people and pets smiling, prancing and quickly community members meeting for the first time," shares Jessica Boquist, Parks and Environmental Services Coordinator. "This warms my heart to see the joy visitors are experiencing already."

Current amenities of the fenced dog park include a water standpipe (a pet and person fountain will be installed next week), surfacing, benches, a dog bag dispenser and a garbage receptacle. A gazebo will be installed this summer, with a grand opening celebration to take place at that time.

The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to dusk. Vehicle parking is available on Church Road with recent roadside improvements made to support access to the park.