Riding the waves
Kayak tours explore the Oak Bay waterfront Page A5
NEWS: Residents leave legacy for hospice care /A3 SPORTS: Vikes are back in action Saturday /A13 DRIVEWAY: Ram family updates vehicle line /A17
OAK BAYNEWS Friday, August 12, 2016
www.oakbaynews.com
Rental market out of reach for many Price, availability key concerns in Oak Bay Tim Collins News contributor
Jennifer Blyth/Oak Bay News
Street music
In a rental market described by Kaye Melliship of the Victoria Housing Society as “hot and unfriendly,” people hoping to find rental accommodation in Oak Bay may find themselves out of luck. While the vacancy rate in Greater Victoria is approaching the zero mark, the truth in most parts of the region is that rental accommodations can still be found. Not that it’s an easy process. The low vacancy rate has created a “sellers market,” said Dean Fortin, of the Pacifica Housing Advisory Association. Anecdotal reports from individuals who have placed ads on sites like Used Victoria make repeated references to “cattle call” showings where prospective tenants arrive at a property only to find a host of other prospective tenants have also been invited to view the potential rental.
Camosun student Aoi Uno tickles the ivories Saturday on a piano painted by Oak Bay High students. The piano will sit on Oak Bay Avenue, near municipal hall, throughout Arts and Culture Week.
PLEASE SEE: Low availability, Page A15
Afternoon raises funds for women fleeing domestic violence Oak Bay gardens open for Victoria Women’s Transition House
Christine van Reeuwyk Oak Bay News
Stroll through the beautiful gardens while listening to the sounds of the Victoria Conservatory of Music performers. Sip on a glass of bubbly or a cup of tea, while mingling with
friends and bidding on the mini silent auction. A fun afternoon, sponsored by the Victoria Golf Club, in an Oak Bay garden, supports Victoria Women’s Transition House programs for women and children escaping domestic violence. “We’ll have a little mini auction
stay beach tiful
beauthis summer
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and maybe play some games. All funds raised from that event will go towards the Transition House,” said Tilly Enriquez, chair of Victoria Golf Club Charity Events. A bridge tournament, adult and junior golf tournaments and gala barbecue at the picturesque golf
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course round out the week. Proceeds from those events go to Power to Be, KidSport, the VGC Evans Caddie Scholarship and Victoria Women’s Transition House. PLEASE SEE: Transition House, Page A7
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