Sooke News Mirror, April 27, 2016

Page 1

SOOKE IS SELLING!

2016 Sooke Home Sales: 164 2015 Sooke Home Sales: 395 SPORTS

INDEX

Construction of the horseshoe pitches are nearing completion, and it won’t be long before you’ll hear the clang of ringers at Sooke River Road Park. Page A23

News Opinion Community

ARTS 2 8 31

Musicians join forces to bring blues music to the masses with special concert at Sooke Community Hall on May 7. Page A27

Black Press

Wednesday, April 27 , 2016

C O M M U N I T Y

N E W S

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M E D I A

SEAPARC LAND VOTE ANYONE’S GUESS: HICKS Kevin Laird

Sooke News Mirror

Octavian Lacatusu/Sooke News Mirror

Rotarian Neil Flynn with some of the bikes that will be auctioned off at this year’s Rotary Auction. The auction is this Saturday at SEAPARC Leisure Complex.

Auction comes with community spirit Octavian Lacatusu Sooke News Mirror

W

hat’s the loudest noise in Sooke? Is it the pounding waves of the Pacific? The echoing squawk of an eagle? It’s neither. It’s the beating heart of a volunteer. As the Sooke Rotary Club ramps up for its 26th auction this Saturday (April 30) at SEAPARC Leisure Complex, the Sooke Mirror took a closer look at the small army of volunteers who work tirelessly to bring it all together.

So far this year, the Rotary accumulated more than $60,000 worth of goods and services for the auction; everything from gift cards from local businesses, bikes, to original artwork, to fishing equipment. Even a kayak. Sounds easier than it is, noted Neil Flynn, the Rotary’s “auction king” who’s helped coordinate the auction’s planning and development for the last 10 years. “It’s a huge event, so getting it all set up in a couple of days, getting enough volunteers, coordinating the collection of 700 items for the live and the silent auction, that’s

a huge effort,” he said, adding that takes what seems like months. Spanning into 70 booths, complete with full catering services and a wide selection of items to bid on, the operation is not what anyone would call simple. Still, Flynn said he enjoys doing it. “I enjoy the challenge of it and making it all happen, because we know it’s an important event for the Sooke community.” See Rotary Auction / A12 Q FIND WHAT YOU NEED: Special four-page auction pullout / B1

Silence may be golden for this Saturday’s referendum on the purchase of the former DeMamiel golf course in Sooke. Or it may not. There’s been little said – positive or negative – on the Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission’s plan to spend $1 million to buy the land to address the future need for recreational space and facilities in Sooke. The commission, also known as SEAPARC, and the Capital Regional Referendum District, held five information ses- set for April 30 sions in Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area this month and only 27 Q EVENT: Referendum residents attended. Sooke attracted to vote on purchase of the most attendees with 12, while no DeMamiel Creek Golf course one showed up in Port Renfrew. Low numbers were also recorded Q WHEN: April 30 in the advance poll where only 100 Saturday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. cast a ballot. A second early vote is Q WHERE: Port Renfrew set for today (April 27). “I’ve never seen a referendum vote Recreation Centre, 6638 so quiet,” said Sooke Coun. Rick Deering Rd.; Shirley Community Hall, 2795 Kasper and a member of SEAPARC. The commission negotiated a $1 Sheringham Point Rd.; million offer for the 9.5-hectare of Juan de Fuca Planning land in January, which includes Services Office, 7450 cleared and manicured lands, as well Butler Rd.; East Sooke as a five-bedroom house and miscel- Community Hall, 1397 laneous equipment used to maintain Coppermine Rd.; SEAPARC the course. “We have zero idea what to expect Leisure Complex, 2168 from the referendum. There’s been no Phillips Rd. feedback,” said SEAPARC chair and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks, adding the commission hasn’t promoted the land buy because it only wanted to present the opportunity to the community. See ‘IT’S A GREAT MOVE’ / A7

SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH, 2016

AUCTION & SPRING FAIR

10AM - 8PM SEAPARC LEISURE COMPLEX FREE SWIM 1-5PM sookerotary.com/auction

LIVE AUCTION STARTS AT 6:00PM


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