Goodbye Best Buy Electronics retailer shutters shops in Saanich, Langford Page A3
NEWS: Ancient bones found on waterfront /A5 ARTS: Django fest brings 1930s Paris to Vic /A17 SPORTS: Royals balance hockey with school /A21
SAANICHNEWS Wednesday February 6, 2013
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New signal installed on commuter artery Safer road crossing with light at Vernon Avenue and Ravine Kyle Slavin News staff
Call it premature or forward-thinking. The new traffic light at the corner of Vernon Avenue and Ravine Way may fall into both categories. But Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard says the new light, part of an infrastructure upgrade requirement that stemmed from an expected need to manage traffic in and out of Uptown, will hopefully tackle an entirely different problematic issue. “The optimist in me says hopefully this will reduce the jaywalking and jayscootering (across Vernon),” Leonard says. “I cringe though. No matter how much money we spend on roads, sidewalks, traffic lights, some still choose to play daredevil.” Saanich police Sgt. Scott Treble says he sees a lot of jaywalkers running across the four-lane northbound road, which becomes the Pat Bay Highway, to and from Saanich Plaza. While the Galloping Goose Regional Trail provides pedestrians with a path underneath the road, he says that hasn’t been enough to thwart jaywalking. “There’s a long stretch of Vernon there that starts at the lights at Saanich Road and carries on past the municipal hall without any crosswalks,” he said. “Pedestrian safety is really important and we encourage people to cross our roads in the safest location they can.” PLEASE SEE: Future Uptown traffic, Page A4
OPEN HOUSE Sat February 9, 2-4 pm
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
Prepping for a new bridge John Finlayson from Bartlett Tree Experts cuts a tree on the corner of Gorge Road on Thursday to make way for the new Craigflower Bridge and an upgrade to Admirals Road. The first phase of the bridge replacement involves building a temporary pedestrian bridge across the Gorge Waterway in April.
Triathon building at Elk Lake takes shape Kyle Slavin News staff
The end of an era at a Saanich summer hotspot came and went last August, with the closure of Elk Lake Restaurant and Water Sport Rental. The shell of the restaurant, all that remains on the property at 5400 Pat Bay Hwy., could soon be gone too, as the new owners look to build a two-storey office building. Saanich council was expected to hear
from the landowners Monday as they sought approval of a development permit for their west coast contemporary, wedge-shaped building. Half of the proposed building, which would have a total of 275 square metres of floor space, would be occupied by LifeSport Coaching. Lance Watson and Paul Regensburg, of the Subaru Western triathlon series and LifeSport Coaching, have had their eye on the area as a possible location for administration space
NEW Price!
PLEASE SEE: Highway access, Page A6
Alex Bur rns & Assoc ciates
OPEN HOUSE Sun February 10, 2-4 pm
4154 AULDFARM LANE
4053 ANGELEAH PLACE
8983 MAINWARING RD
This fantastic Custom Built 2500+ sq ft. Arts & Crafts home is located on a quiet private cul-de-sac in popular Strawberry Vale. It offers 4 Bedrooms plus Den and 3 full Bathrooms. Quality finishing is evident throughout with radiant heated floors and a gourmet kitchen. Beautiful large windows soak the rooms in natural light adding to the ambience. This property is Owner built with an exceptional eye for detail. This lovely neighbourhood with parks and schools nearby makes this family home a must see. Listed at $714,900
Large Rancher! On a quiet street of well maintained homes, this rancher features vaulted ceilings, skylights, beautifully landscaped yard, 2 bedrooms + large office/ guest room, 11/2 baths, sunken in-line living room/dining room with gas fireplace is great for entertaining, separate family room also with cozy gas fireplace, eat-in kitchen, gorgeous new hardwood floors. Lots of updates done but still opportunity to add your personal touch! This home must be seen to be appreciated! Listed at $497,900
SUB DIVISION POTENTIAL. Rarely does a property like this come up in desirable Bazan Bay. Beautiful country setting, sunny & private 1.87 ac relatively flat with a solid 1950’s 3 bdrm 2 bth home. This property is well situated plot plan. Near Panorama Leisure Center, Dean Park and easy access to Sidney, ferries & airport. Fabulous grounds, your own vegetables or plant fruit trees in your very own orchard. Coved ceilings, hardwood floors throughout the main, new windows & new roof 6 years ago. Listed at $749,888
RE/MAX Camosun
for years before approaching the Dere family, which owned the restaurant and land. “When the (adjacent) mini golf lot went up for sale, we hummed and hawed, and it became the cat clinic,” Watson told the News in August 2012. “We kicked ourselves for missing it, so later we talked to the restaurant owners and it was great timing. They were ready to retire.”
Call 250.882.3335
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