PHILLY FLING
Marion Newman at SPO outdoor concert on July 13.
Editorial
Page 8
Entertainment
Page 17
Sports/stats
Page 24
Sooke is Selling!
3.125x1.2” Dimock
Classifieds 21 • 75
¢
2013 Sooke Home Sales: 304 2014 Sooke Home Sales: 141
28 Pages
Page 17
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
TAMMI DIMOCK
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
Personal Real Estate Corp.
Agreement #40110541
250.642.6361
Haldane announces intention to run for mayor of Sooke
File photo
Herb Haldane Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Herb Haldane, 50, is going to take a crack at running for the mayor’s chair on November 15. On June 23, Mayor Wendal Milne announced his plans not to run in the next municipal election and Haldane said, “With Wendal Milne gone, there’s no clear runner. I’m going to take a chance and see how I fare.” Haldane sat on the last two District of Sooke councils and has been a part of many of the decisions made under Mayors Janet Evans and Wendal Milne, including large projects such as the Prestige Hotel, the pub-
lic boat launch, and the new connector road. He said the big issue for him is the whole tax structure and the misunderstandings around it. “We got lucky this year that’s because we found a bunch of money, it looks good … but the five-year plan raises it a pile and I want to nip it in the bud,” said Haldane. He said he has talked to businesses that have to rent out one-half their space because of the commercial taxes. When asked if he was running for the sake of businesses in Sooke he said he is doing it in the name of residents, new families and retirees. “How do taxes go up so much? I want a reality check to it,” stated Haldane. He said he has been happy on council for the most part, even in the cheap seats. Now, he wants to make some forward movement. “If they find I’m not the right guy, they can vote me out in four years,” he said. Haldane is self employed at Haldane Homes.
Shelly Davis 778-352-3535
Bike park pump track almost complete Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
Kids aren’t active enough and Steve Knoke recognizes this and wants to help make it so they are outside more, getting exercise and fresh air. “This program,” he said, referring to the grant for the Sooke bike park, “creates the opportunity for kids to be active and foster a connection with nature. Cycling is a life skill.” Knoke, SEAPARC manager, isn’t alone in this pursuit by any means. He’s just one of the people making the bike park at SEAPARC happen. A grant of $75,000 was received from the Capital Regional District through the Active Transportation Innovative infra-
Contrats Ellen & Shelly Top 30% of ALL Victoria Realtors!
Only Galloping Goose trail between you & the beach. Like new home in serene, lakeside location. Wonderful Lifestyle choice! Email: Shelly@ShellyDavis.ca www.ShellyDavis.ca
Pirjo Raits photo
SEAPARC manager Steve Knoke stands atop one of the hills at the Sooke Bike Park located next to the Stan Jones ball diamond. The park and accompanying trails will be built in stages as monies become available
structure Funding Program with SEAPARC, the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area as participants. SEAPARC committed a further $24,000. The bike park will be built in phases, with the first being the pump track, a circular hard-dirt surface with hills the riders can have fun on. The next phase is the trail access which goes from the end of Throup Road to SEAPARC. “It’s out to tender,” said Knoke. “We’re waiting on bids and quotes.” The third phase is refurbishing the dirt jumps but this is subject to budget considerations. “I’m excited,” said Knoke. “I don’t want to lose sight of getting kids outside, this will
7x2.5 Davis
Glen Lake Semi-detached Almost Lakefront $425,000
be the fundamental building blocks of this. It’s about children, youth, it’s for everyone and this is a good place to start.” The community has also stepped in to make the bike park happen. Butler Brothers donated the gravel, the community is showing support and the Bike Park Steering Committee is on board with the project. “If we get donations and in-kind donations we will get more out of this,” stated Knoke. He mentioned sponsorship packages and tax receipts for those who choose to help the park expand. Alpine Bike Parks has been working on the site and they are as passionate about creating the space as are the proTop Real Estate Company in Canada for Sales last 4 Consecutive Years
ponents. Stephane Pellieter and Dylan Smith are two young men, along with Morgan and Luke, who have been working on the pump track. They both mountain bike and are totally on board with making the park as great place for riders. “I just mountain bike and thought it would be fun to build jumps,” said Pellieter, who is from Calgary. Smith is from Regina and he studied building tracks and mountain bike operations. For both it is their first time on the Island and they want to return. Knoke stresses that the bike park is not just for kids, it’s for the whole family. “I want to ride this when it’s ready,” he said.
Ellen Bergerud 250-818-6441
Ability to self sustain complete with man-made lake, beautiful 2000SF 1 level 2007 home & massive 4-6 car garage ….. Idyllic 5 Acre Setting On Bubbling Veitch Creek!
Email: EllenBergerud@Shaw.ca www.RealEstateSooke.com