Canada Day Rugby

July 1st was a picture perfect day in Esquimalt! Gorgeous sunshine and a great rugby game on Bullen Park field (pesticide free for almost 10 years now!)

Many thanks to all our Parks and Recreation staff, the James Bay Athletic Association, the Esquimalt Firefighters, Victoria Eagles Jr. B Lacrosse and Tom's tireless crew of volunteers. This was a great event!

FCM Whistler

In June, I was able to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities AGM and conference in Whistler. Some of the most memorable moments for me were touring the Wastewater Treatment Facilities. As the Mayor's Alternate at the CRD, I need to keep up on the discussions around our future sewage treatment. Seeing Whistler's operation gave me great perspective. They are doing some pretty neat things - making compost and recovering heat for residents! It helped to put things in perspective. I really appreciated the chance to see some of the technology being discussed in action.

We also got to visit some of the Olympic venues. I attended the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary '88, so I was particularly interested in seeing some of the work that has been done.

In all, there were valuable speakers and workshops and I was very honoured to go and represent Esquimalt!

Canada Day Rugby!

Did you know where the first Rugby Game was played on the West Coast of North America?

Esquimalt!

In 1876, the Roayl Navy played the land based troops down at Canteen Road field. Since then, Esquimalt has had many reasons to be proud of its Rugby history.

The Esquimalt High AA rugby program has been extremely sucessful in recent years.

Bullen Park has hosted incredible Rugby events for all ages and skill levels.

Last year, the French Barbs came and raved about our pitch in the Canada Rugby Challenge!

This past spring more than 100 kids signed up for the 1st annual James Bay Athletic Association/Esquimalt Parks and Recreation Blitz and spent time learning the game for six weeks.

The tradition continues with another incredible international match:
JBAA(Canadian Club Champions) vs. Ballymena RFC (Northern Ireland)
July 1, 20009
Bullen Park Field (behind the Rec. Centre)
6pm kick-off!
All kids 12 and under are free!
$5 per student
$10 per adult
Don't miss the mini-ruggers doing a demonstration at the halftime or the beer garden and concession run by the Lions!

A portion of the proceeds will support the Esquimalt Jr. B Lacrosse (who are hosting the Jr. B Provincials in August at Archie Browning Sports Centre)

Free Fruit Trees!

Here is a press release from the Township of Esquimalt website. www.esquimalt.ca Don't forget to sign up for your email updates!

Fruit Trees Available for Esquimalt Residents
April 1, 2009

Esquimalt Eats for Health is a municipal nutrition strategy and food security project with a mission to change the current food environment in the community. Limited quantities of apple, cherry and pear trees will be made available at no cost for Esquimalt residents through a fruit tree distribution initiative funded by the Union of BC Municipalities. Residents interested in a tree must submit an application. Application forms are available online at www.esquimalt.ca or at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre. Local not-for-profit agencies are also invited to submit applications.

Mayor Barbra Desjardins hopes that this initiative further develops the sense of community in the Township and increases access to nutritional foods such as fresh fruit for many residents. “It would be great if those with trees bearing extra fruit share with other residents.” Desjardins noted. Recipients of trees will be chosen on a first come, first served basis – providing all pre-requisites (on the application) are met. Applications will be accepted until Sunday, April 12.

Esquimalt Eats for Health is being coordinated by the Esquimalt Parks and Recreation Department. Other project initiatives include introducing healthier options through food services, free nutrition workshops and special events celebrating local, sustainable foods.

For more information please contact:
Christina Moog, Aquatic and Fitness Coordinator
Project Leader, Esquimalt Eats for Health
Tel: 250-412-8501

January in Esquimalt

There are lots of great things happening in Esquimalt to start the New Year off right.

WATERSLIDES!!! The pool has re-opened with two waterslides. We tried them out and the kids definitely approve!

RECYLING!!!! Pacific Mobile Recycling is back in Esquimalt on the 2nd Saturday of every month. The new location is the parking lot behind the Archie Browning Sports Centre. Opening day is Saturday, Jan 10th from 10am-1pm.

KIDS ART!!! Beans and Greens is hosting a childrens' art show. Submissions are being accepted throughout the first week of January. Come down after that and enjoy the show!

PARKS AND REC SAMPLER!!! On Saturday, Jan 10th from 9am- 1:30pm there are sample classes and demos of many programs at the Esquimalt Rec Centre. Stop by and check out some of the great things for 2009!

Hockeyville 2009

Thank you so much to everyone who entered Esquimalt in Kraft Hockeyville! We have over 100 stories posted! I LOVED reading them and I hope you will too! Check it out at: www.cbc.com/hockeyville We'll know by January 14th if we've made the first cut!

Hockeyville 2009!

Esquimalt has been entered in the Kraft Hockeyville 2009 contest! If you've got a story about playing or watching Hockey in Esquimalt get online and enter it before Dec. 6th!

Rebecca Aldous from the Vic News just published this article with details:

Is Esquimalt Hockeyville?

Bob Sears and Warner Sanderson get settled in their regular seats to watch the Victoria Cougars play on Thursday night.

Neither is a stranger to hockey at the Archie Browning Sports Centre. For seven years Sanderson has cheered the Cougars and Sears has three years under his belt. Tonight, as the crowd starts to gather in the warmth of the Crow’s Nest, there’s a buzz of excitement – Hockeyville.

Esquimalt, home to the Victoria Jr. B Cougars and the Victoria Minor Hockey Association, is vying to claim the 2009 Hockeyville title. The cross-country competition, hosted by CBC Television, Kraft Canada, the National Hockey League and the NHL Player’s Association, challenges communities to prove they best embody the spirit of hockey and hometown pride.

Last year, Salmon River, N.S. seized the title and never has a Western community won the competition. But it’s time for change, said Cougars president Gary Boyer, adding hockey is the heartbeat of Esquimalt. With the rink located downtown, the arena and the sport itself draws residents to the stands, he noted.

“The spirit, the desire and the want (to be Hockeyville) is there,” Boyer said.

Back in the Crow’s Nest, Sanderson agrees. He managed the maintenance of Archie Browning for 12 years and has lived across from the facility for 37 years. He watched his two sons and daughter slap the puck and later his son-in-law, Bruce Cowick, played in the NHL.

Up for stakes is $100,000 to upgrade the Hockeyville winner’s hometown arena, an NHL pre-season game hosted in the community and a CBC Hockey Night in Canada broadcast from the arena.

But before Esquimalt takes a step forward, the community needs the help of its residents. By Saturday, Dec. 6, Esquimalt has to prove the bid’s support by sending letters to CBC. Anyone wishing to back Esquimalt should visit www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville and submit a letter with a photograph about hockey, the arena, or community spirit surrounding the sport.

There is also a Facebook group – Esquimalt for Kraft Hockeyville 2009. For more information please contact Alison Gaul at 250-383-1703 or email aligaul@shaw.ca.

raldous@vicnews.com

Focus Magazine November 2008

In September, I was asked to submit my vision of a "dream city" in 150 words or less. I was excited....but terrified. I can't say ANYTHING in 150 words!

I started writing and at least 10 thousands words came out. With some cutting and snipping I arrived at something just under 150.

This month, Focus published it. Here is what I submitted:

My "Dream City"

People of all ages are active and engaged citizens. Committees and commissions never lack for volunteers. The work is valued, respected and meaningful. Public consultation is frequent. Voter turnout is over 70%.
Development reflects the diverse cultures and values of the community.

Small businesses are places of lively conversation. They prosper.

Sports facilities, schools and parks are focal points. They foster connections and life long friendships. They are never considered “surplus to need.”

Music and the arts are affordable and accessible for everyone.

Public Transit, walking and cycling are the most popular options for travel. Residential streets host more road hockey than traffic.

Local food is abundant. All children have the opportunity to tend the soil.

Local newsletters welcome newcomers. The stories of our history and the possibilities of our future are shared.

We have more than a sustainable city. We do more than just sustain. We thrive.

Novice Curling Program at Archie Browning Sports Centre

Here are the details on the Novice curling program that starts next Tuesday Oct 14th.

9 sessions, Tuesday nights 8:30-10:30, $35 with pizza and beverage at the last session.

Players register and pay at the rec or sports centre.

This is an incredibly good deal! I'm pretty sure I can eat $35 dollars worth of pizza....to get 9 weeks of curling with lessons too is amazing!

Esquimalt Village Project

Lately I've had a number of people ask me, "What happened to the Esquimalt Village Project?" The timeline called for another public consultation in June 2008 and Sept-November 2008 was supposed to be implementation. The last we heard from the consultants was May 22nd 2008.

Last night, in the question and comment period in the Council meeting I asked this question. "Has work stopped on the Esquimalt Village Project (EVP) or have discussions moved outside the public view?" The Mayor responded that work on the EVP has paused until the new Council is elected. He assured me publicly that no work has been done outside the public view.

Bonspiel Promise

OK. I've been inundated with emails since Sunday. I hereby promise that I will organize a yearly novice bonspiel. First, let's elect a Council that is willing and ready to make a commitment to ABSC. Then, let's raise some funds for the facility! Let's keep building on the goodwill and community that exists here! Consider it a personal promise. Whether or not I'm elected November 15th, I will do what I can to raise funds to keep ABSC for the next generation!

Curling Bonspiel

I am still a little overcome with emotion...so this will be only a short message. I have so many to thank for tonight...and for helping me on this campaign.

Lorie is amazing. She could open a party planning business from her house. I am grateful beyond words. Buying the house next door to the Halls was the smartest move we ever made.

Krisna and Boualay are two of the most talented people I know. The photo above is their "surprise" for me tonight. Its a cloth banner with the logo for my lawn signs painted on it. Its been signed with great messages of support from friends. It will be hanging in my kitchen, cheering me on for the duration of this campaign. It will be treasured forever.

Ed and Dave once again were incredible teachers out there on the ice. Patient, kind and good humoured. They are a credit to the sport and to Esquimalt.

Everyone who came tonight brought their great sense of humour and adventure. It made it an exceptionally fun night for all! I promise that I'll post some info for people who are looking to learn to curl this week.

What a great group of people! Some of my oldest friends and some new ones too. Each of you added something and I am so glad that you came!

We didn't keep score tonight but there was one SPECIAL award that simply must be mentioned.... Best Team Name goes to: Team Gaulstones!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Rec Centre Passes

Here is an interesting article from Vic News online today:

New rec passes cross borders
Published: September 19, 2008 2:00 PM
Updated: September 19, 2008 2:51 PM
Greater Victoria residents will be able to visit any local recreation centre using a single card beginning Jan. 1.

A regional annual pass is being introduced as part of a pilot project, says Agnes Szilos, of Recreation Oak Bay.

As a result of government departments constantly asking recreation centers for bulk group discounts, five of eight recreational centres in Greater Victoria got together to issue an annual pass.

“We didn’t really think it was fair for one organization to receive a break so this is an enlargement of that,” Szilos said.

The pass will cost $420.10. The amount is a play on the year 2010, the year that Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Sooke is the only recreation centre so far to turn thumbs down to the shared pass.

The pass allows purchasers unlimited access to all the local recreation centers, including pools, fitness centres and weight rooms.

Passes in the pilot project will be sold until the end of 2009 and passes will be honoured for a full year from date of purchase.

The regional pass ties in with the province’s Active communities mandate introduced last year that challenges B.C. residents to be 20 per cent more active by 2010.

vmoreau@saanichnews.com