– Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her at 250.478.1130 or jlawlor@westshore.bc.ca.
WEST SHORE – On March 14th, a historic agreement was confirmed after months of consultation. “Honourable Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, presented the Letters Patent, which confirm the boundary changes to Langford and Metchosin, to Beecher Bay Chief Russ Chipps, Langford Mayor Stewart Young, and Metchosin Mayor John Ranns . . . the boundary change will deliver both long-term preservation of parks and greenspace and economic enhancements for the entire region.”
This boundary change brings benefits specific to each partner – for Beecher Bay the change supports economic independence, for Metchosin it supports rural preservation, and for Langford it creates household-sustaining jobs to support Langford’s increasing population. It is expected that up to 4,000 jobs will be created in a new Langford business park as a result of this partnership.
This partnership also speaks very much to supporting the “Spirit of Place” of each partner, a consideration you will also find down the road as the City of Colwood works with Omni Group on the plan for Colwood Corners. The City received updated development plans from Omni Group in December 2016 and expects to issue a development permit in the near future.
Phase 1 development includes 276 residential units as well as 14,200 square metres of commercial floor area. Feedback from those living and working in Colwood is that they want to see increased pedestrian and bike access and Omni Group is planning a cycle lane on Sooke Road as well as a children’s play area with connections to the Galloping Goose Trail.
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In View Royal, a really interesting project is taking place. At the newly opened Eagle Creek Village, construction is well underway to redevelop two floors for hospital use, specifically for day surgeries. This will no doubt be very welcome given Eagle Creek’s next door proximity to the Victoria General Hospital.
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It is a pleasure to be working in a region with so many positive things going on and I invite you to consider the business opportunities available on the West Shore. If you are interested in getting a better sense of the community and the business options available, you are very welcome to come out to one of our WestShore Chamber events which are open to both members and non-members.
For further information, please go to westshore.bc.ca or give us a call on 250.478.1130.
