Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sewage Treatment Open Houses

The CRD is hosting several open houses regarding the Waste Water Treatment Plans. Please try and attend! Your input is extremely important!

Colwood
Lookout Lounge, West Shore Recreation Centre,
1767 Island Highway
Monday March 30, 2009, 2-7pm

Esquimalt
Crowsnest Room, Archie Browning Sports Centre,
527 Fraser St.
Tuesday March 31, 2009, 2-7pm

Victoria
Fairfield Activity Centre
380 Cook St.
Wednesday April 1, 2009, 4-9pm

Saanich
Michelle Pujol Room, Student Union Building
University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd.
Thursday April 2, 2009, 2-7pm

Victoria
Burnside Gorge Community Centre,
471 Cecelia St.
Monday April 6, 2009, 2-7pm

Oak Bay
Windsor Pavillion,
2451 Windsor Rd.
Tuesday april 7, 2009, 2-7pm

Langford
Upstairs Meeting Rm, Station House Pub,
737 Goldstream Avenue
Wednesday April 8, 2009, 2-7pm

Height and Density Forum

Last week Esquimalt held a forum on Height and Density that was very well attended. I enjoyed all the speakers and found the discussion very valuable.

Questionnaires were avaialble at the forum, but they are also online at the Esquimalt website. The link is:

http://www.esquimalt.ca/events/events03240901.aspx

Please send us your input on this important subject!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Food and Society Tour

The Esquimalt Residents Association is hosting this really interesting new event. What a great way to learn more about what happens in our Industrial area!

The Food and Society Tour

Saturday April 4, 2009 (Rain or Shine)

12pm until 3 pm.

The participating businesses which have graciously offered to open their doors for us are: SPUD!, Bedford Brewing, Manu French Paté s, Feys + Hobbs Catered Arts, PEERS and Victoria Operatic Society. General information regarding these Esquimalt-based businesses may be obtained at:

www.spud.ca
www.bedfordbrewing.com
www.manusfrenchpates.com
www.feysandhobbs.com
www.peers.bc.ca
www.vos.bc.ca

The walking group will be visiting each of these establishments for approximately 20 minutes to learn more about their activities.

The premises for these businesses cannot accommodate more than 30 individuals at a time, hence there is a limit to our group size. Registration is required using the contact information provided below. There will be a $2 admission fee. All participants must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

Community Forum on Height and Density For Future Development in Esquimalt

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

6:00 pm until 9:30 pm
Council Chamber,

Esquimalt Municipal Hall,

1229 Esquimalt Rd.

The Township of Esquimalt is holding a Community Forum the evening of Tuesday, March 24th to discuss Esquimalt’s development potential and determine whether the policies contained in our 2007 Official Community Plan [OCP] are appropriate to encourage development or if they need revision.

The evening’s format will be a panel presentation by architects, planners, and representatives of the development industry to familiarize the audience with
• the economics of land use,
• the effect OCP and zoning regulations can have on the built form of the community, and
• how regulations can encourage or discourage new development.

The second half of the evening will be an opportunity for the audience to provide comments and ask questions of the panellists.

The panellists for the evening are:

Norm Hoston-Architect and Planner

Jay Wollenberg-Planner

Gene Miller- UDI Representative

Information gathered during this Forum will assist Council in determining whether the maximum building heights and densities set out in the Official Community Plan need to be reconsidered.

This is your opportunity to make your voice heard with regards to future development in Esquimalt.

This is an open meeting; no registration is required.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Go Cougars!

The Cougars are having another incredible season! Come see these cats in action in the final best of seven playoff series!

GAME 1:
Oceanside Generals @ Victoria Cougars
Thursday, March 19
Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt
7:15 p.m.


GAME 2:
Victoria Cougars @ Oceanside Generals
Saturday, March 21
Oceanside Place
7:30 p.m.


GAME 3:
Oceanside Generals @ Victoria Cougars
Sunday, March 22
Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt
7:15 p.m.


GAME 4:
Victoria Cougars @ Oceanside Generals
Tuesday, March 24
Oceanside Place
7:30 p.m.


GAME 5 (if necessary):
Oceanside Generals @ Victoria Cougars
Thursday, March 26
Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt
7:15 p.m.


GAME 6 (if necessary):
Victoria Cougars @ Oceanside Generals
Saturday, March 28
Oceanside Place
7:30 p.m.


GAME 7 (if necessary):
Oceanside Generals @ Victoria Cougars
Sunday, March 29
Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt
7:15 p.m.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Archie Browning Sports Centre Grant Application

On Monday night, I had the happiest moment I've had so far in my brief political career. It was better than the campaign launch party. It was better than winning the election. It was better than the inaugural meeting. On Monday night, Esquimalt Council voted unanimously to pursue a 2 million dollar grant for the Archie Browning Sports Centre.

We're moving forward!

If we are successful, this grant could substantially extend the life of ABSC without increasing municipal taxes. Staff have identified that there are enough funds in our capital reserve to contribute our portion if we are fortunate enough to receive the grant. My sincere thanks to our staff and to all that are helping to take positive steps towards ensuring our community keeps our ice facility. Esquimalt residents have been asking for us to be proactive and consider all avenues of upgrading ABSC. I'm so happy to say that we're moving forward and trying to make the most of opportunities!

The upgrades that we are hoping to receive will enhance energy efficiency and further reduce the subsidy. We are planning improvements for users such as female dressing rooms for hockey players and better accessibility for people with disabilities. In short, we are hoping to take our well loved facility and make sure it can continue to be well loved - well into the future.

If a potential upgrade of ABSC wasn't enough to make me smile...we also voted to apply for a grant to upgrade and install some sidewalks! We have a sidewalk replacement master plan now and we're hoping to start making Esquimalt even more pedestrian friendly.

I am thrilled that we are able to work together and start exploring options for enhancing our beloved community without putting more of a tax burden on our residents! Whether we are successful with this grant or not - we have taken a positive step!

For more information check out www.esquimalt.ca All of our Agendas and minutes are being posted online. Our website is really improving. There is a lot of new info and it is being updated regularly!