Saanich Peninsula

While the population grew in Greater Victoria during the last census period thanks to migration from inside and outside Canada, it is also aging. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria facing top-heavy age pyramid

Future demographics will change the type of services needed

While the population grew in Greater Victoria during the last census period thanks to migration from inside and outside Canada, it is also aging. (Black Press Media file photo)
Emily Burkmar of Jennifer Alberring’s Grade 4/5 class at Sidney Elementary School is deeply focused while preparing a sunflower decoration for the May 7 fundraiser for Ukraine held by Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans. The event raised in excess of $5,000. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Ukraine fundraiser by Sidney-based veterans club marches past fundraising goal

Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans raise almost $1,000 above its goal

Emily Burkmar of Jennifer Alberring’s Grade 4/5 class at Sidney Elementary School is deeply focused while preparing a sunflower decoration for the May 7 fundraiser for Ukraine held by Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans. The event raised in excess of $5,000. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Riley and Bobby Eng with their son Arrow were among the 2,500-plus visitors to the first Sidney Farmer’s Market of the season, held Sunday in the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney’s Farmer Market kicks off season

Sidney Street Market scheduled to start next month giving residents two market choices

Riley and Bobby Eng with their son Arrow were among the 2,500-plus visitors to the first Sidney Farmer’s Market of the season, held Sunday in the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, calls for more affordable housing in the region to help keep it attractive for workers in the face of an aging workforce. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)

Saanich Peninsula Chamber executive director fears region could start losing companies

Al Smith says lack of housing threatens region’s economic future

Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, calls for more affordable housing in the region to help keep it attractive for workers in the face of an aging workforce. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)
Steven Threadkell, manager of the BC Boat Show scheduled for May 12-15 at Port Sidney Marina, says recreational boating has grown significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Port Sidney Marina to host largest in-the-water boat show on West Coast

BC Boat Show comes to Saanich Peninsula May 12-15

Steven Threadkell, manager of the BC Boat Show scheduled for May 12-15 at Port Sidney Marina, says recreational boating has grown significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
West Coast Impressions will host two events in the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre – Sidney’s Farmer Market running Sundays until Sept. 25 and the Sidney Street Market running Thursdays June 2 to Sept. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney market season kicks off this weekend

Sidney’s Farmer Market opens May 8, followed by Sidney Street Market June 2

West Coast Impressions will host two events in the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre – Sidney’s Farmer Market running Sundays until Sept. 25 and the Sidney Street Market running Thursdays June 2 to Sept. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
New North Saanich residents James, his father Dwayne, mother Nancy with James’ emotional support animal Angel and brother Ryan were joined by former Habitat Victoria chief executive officer Yolanda Meijer and current Habitat Victoria CEO Colin Doylend during Friday’s key ceremony. (Courtesy Habitat for Humanity Victoria)

New residents welcomed with fully accessible home in North Saanich

Habitat for Humanity Victoria home offers additional space for child with accessibility needs

New North Saanich residents James, his father Dwayne, mother Nancy with James’ emotional support animal Angel and brother Ryan were joined by former Habitat Victoria chief executive officer Yolanda Meijer and current Habitat Victoria CEO Colin Doylend during Friday’s key ceremony. (Courtesy Habitat for Humanity Victoria)
Bob Peart of the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society joins Robert Bateman and Margaret Atwood as winners of the Douglas H. Pimlott Award from Nature Canada. He received the award in a ceremony last week. (Courtesy of Nature Canada)

Sidney’s Bob Peart wins top national conservation award

Nature Canada represents 30,000 members and more than 1,000 nature organizations

Bob Peart of the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society joins Robert Bateman and Margaret Atwood as winners of the Douglas H. Pimlott Award from Nature Canada. He received the award in a ceremony last week. (Courtesy of Nature Canada)
Scott Davies of Cube Project Management checks out his plans for four three-storey mixed use buildings at 2270 Harbour Rd., the former site of the Blue Peter Pub and Restaurant, which burned down in 2011. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Former Blue Peter Pub site in Sidney to become mixed-use development

Four 3-storey buildings to feature living space over industrial/commercial uses

Scott Davies of Cube Project Management checks out his plans for four three-storey mixed use buildings at 2270 Harbour Rd., the former site of the Blue Peter Pub and Restaurant, which burned down in 2011. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club president David Milner and vice-president Ron MacDonnell stand in the new photographers GALLERY, which will host an exhibition of photos by club members starting May 6. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club’s work showcased in first of its kind gallery show

Club formed 30 years in 1992 and is open to anyone with an interest in photography

Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club president David Milner and vice-president Ron MacDonnell stand in the new photographers GALLERY, which will host an exhibition of photos by club members starting May 6. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The District of North Saanich would retain the right to purchase undeveloped portions of the Panorama Recreation Centre lands for $10 for a future library under a land transfer agreement with the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD set to purchase Panorama Recreation Centre lands in North Saanich for $10

Municipality retains right to purchase undeveloped land for a library

The District of North Saanich would retain the right to purchase undeveloped portions of the Panorama Recreation Centre lands for $10 for a future library under a land transfer agreement with the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)
This was the aftermath after a vehicle hit the Oceanna building in downtown Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Garbage truck plows into downtown Sidney building

91-unit-rental building damaged in collision

This was the aftermath after a vehicle hit the Oceanna building in downtown Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Coun. Jack McClintock says North Saanich has not done enough to engage and consult the public on North Saanich’s involvement with a new roundabout in Sidney near the future Amazon facility. (Black Press Media file photo)

North Saanich to fund its share of new roundabout in Sidney out of reserves

Coun. Jack McClintock questions substance, process behind $1-million contribution

Coun. Jack McClintock says North Saanich has not done enough to engage and consult the public on North Saanich’s involvement with a new roundabout in Sidney near the future Amazon facility. (Black Press Media file photo)
Adrian Bogdan, assistant director and archivist, Alyssa Gerwing, executive director, and Sydney Fuhrman, education and outreach coordinator, have already left or are leaving the Sidney Museum and Archives. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/Submitted)

Sidney Museum and Archives says goodbye to a trio of staff

Executive director Alyssa Gerwing leads list of depatures

Adrian Bogdan, assistant director and archivist, Alyssa Gerwing, executive director, and Sydney Fuhrman, education and outreach coordinator, have already left or are leaving the Sidney Museum and Archives. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/Submitted)
Randy Evans, second-vice president of Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, stands outside the club’s offices. A fundraiser scheduled for May 7 will raise funds in support for Ukraine as defends itself against Russia’s war of choice. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney veterans club to host May 7 fundraiser for Ukraine

Full-day fundraising event will include musical offerings, dance

Randy Evans, second-vice president of Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, stands outside the club’s offices. A fundraiser scheduled for May 7 will raise funds in support for Ukraine as defends itself against Russia’s war of choice. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
According to Statistics Canada, the average age in Victoria CMA is 44.8 years with variations across the region. Langford is the youngest community at 39.1 years with Sidney the oldest at 56 years. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria residents older than B.C., Canadian average

West Shore boasts youngest population while Saanich Peninsula has the oldest

According to Statistics Canada, the average age in Victoria CMA is 44.8 years with variations across the region. Langford is the youngest community at 39.1 years with Sidney the oldest at 56 years. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bill Singer checks for proof of vaccination at the doors of the Rumrunner Pub, which he owns and manages in Sidney. His decision to keep the vaccination requirement in place has sparked online criticism but also earned praise from customers. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney restaurant still checking vaccine passports receives support from patrons

Owner Bill Singer thought other establishments would make the same decision

Bill Singer checks for proof of vaccination at the doors of the Rumrunner Pub, which he owns and manages in Sidney. His decision to keep the vaccination requirement in place has sparked online criticism but also earned praise from customers. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Laura Huebner, 47, was last seen April 24 at Victoria International Airport. (Courtesy Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)

Police seek missing woman last seen at Victoria International Airport

Sidney North Saanich RCMP appeal to public to find woman who may be travelling to mid Island

Laura Huebner, 47, was last seen April 24 at Victoria International Airport. (Courtesy Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)
Long-time CBC host Grant Lawrence joins musicians Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball on stage in Sidney on May 4 to celebrate the release of Return To Solitude, the long-awaited follow-up book to Lawrence’s bestselling debut. (Courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)

Grant Lawrence to regale Sidney audience with colourful tales of Desolation Sound

Musical guests Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball join longtime CBC host

Long-time CBC host Grant Lawrence joins musicians Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball on stage in Sidney on May 4 to celebrate the release of Return To Solitude, the long-awaited follow-up book to Lawrence’s bestselling debut. (Courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)
Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)

Dog grooming business digs up new home in Central Saanich

Pooch Parlour had previously operated illegally out of Sidney industrial zone

Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)