MERRY CHRISTMAS
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From all of us at the Sooke News Mirror
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Black Press
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
A Sooke tradition
3.125x1.2” Merry Christmas! Dimock TAMMI DIMOCK
Personal Real Estate Corp.
250.642.6361
Hope Centre holds its official opening Pirjo Raits
Sooke News Mirror
I
Pirjo Raits photo
The traditional Christmas tree on Whiffin Spit, that gets decorated by elves or such, has moved a little further down the spit. It was felt the other tree needed a break and this new tree is getting all the attention.
No more overnight camping at Jordan River
Camping is suspended until further notice at Jordan River Regional Park, the Capital Regional District (CRD) announced today. The decision comes following the BC Hydro seismic study released on December 5, which identified potential hazards from the Jordan River Diversion dam in the event of a major earthquake. BC Hydro has declared its interest in working with the Capital Regional District to gain support to prohibit overnight camping on land owned by the CRD within the inundation zone. A large scale earthquake could result in an Shelly@ShellyDavis.ca www.ShellyDavis.ca
inundation of the area due to an uncontrolled release of upstream reservoir water. The Jordan River campground is located 10km southwest of the dam.
The CRD regrets the impact on parks campers and is reviewing the information provided by BC Hydro to better understand the danger posed to the park. Day use areas of
EllenBergerud@Shaw.ca LorendaSimms@gmail.com RealEstateSooke.com LorendaSimms.com
the park remain open to the public. The park was established in 2010, when the CRD acquired 180 hectares of land at Jordan River from Western Forest Products for $9.9 million. CRD Regional Parks manages the park, which includes a yearround self-contained campground. The CRD has spent $107,000 on park improvements since purchasing the land, including campground upgrades, trail building and parking lot development. For updates visit: www.crd. bc.ca/parks or call: 250-4783344.
t’s been occupied and open for the past couple of months and on Wednesday, December 17, the Hope Centre held its official ribbon cutting. The 25-unit development came together through the partnerships of government and community. The M’akola Housing Society owns and operates the affordable rental housing component of the Hope Centre whine the Saint Vincent de Paul Society owns and operates the commercial part of the building, which includes the thrift store. The opening was preceded by a blessing from Shirley Alphonse and representatives Chief Gordon Planes of the T’Sou-ke First Nation and Russell Chipps from the Sc’ianew First Nation. Speakers included: Roger Butcher, Vancouver Island Regional Director for BC Housing; District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait; Nils Jensen, Chair of the CRD and Mayor of Oak Bay; Angela Hudson, Executive Director , Society of Saint Vincent de Paul; and Kevin Albers, Chief Executive Office, M’akola Housing Society. Nils Jensen probably encapsulated what everyone else was saying, “Housing affordability is a regional priority… it’s the people behind the scenes who made it happen. Perseverance, vision and dedication got us where we are today.” There is a long list of partners who came together and they include: • The Government of Canada $1.8 million through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, along with a $10,000 Seed grant; Continued on page 3
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We are very blessed to live here in peace... with abundant clean air and a wonderful community spirit. Thank You to each one of you this Christmas Season… for your business & your friendship. We wish you good health, happiness & time to enjoy what is ours in 2015. Shelly Davis 778-352-3535
Ellen Bergerud 250-818-6441
Lorenda Simms 250-217-5787
Shelly Lorenda and Ellen