Residents of Central Saanich will have an opportunity to preview the district's proposed new municipal facility through a series of open houses this June.
The idea is for residents to take a peek at what a new municipal hall on a site at Hovey Road and 1903 Mt. Newton Cross Rd. could look like through visual renderings.
The proposed redevelopment project addresses the aging infrastructure of the district's municipal hall, police station, fire station No. 2 and municipal yard.
The new facility aims to provide enhanced and more resilient emergency services while meeting the evolving needs of the community.
In an open letter published in the Peninsula News Review in May, Mayor Ryan Windsor emphasized the necessity of the project, stating the current facilities "have reached the end of their useful lives."
"The buildings have safety, seismic and accessibility deficiencies and consistently require expensive repairs while being inefficient to operate and not fully meeting the needs of our operations and residents,” Windsor wrote.
The in-person events will give residents a chance to view conceptual renderings for a new hall on Hovey and Mount Newton and a financial plan for the redevelopment, allowing them to understand the potential impact it may have on the community.
Experts will be on hand to present findings from detailed land and building studies, offering insights into the project's feasibility and design.
Residents will also have the opportunity to engage directly with architects, council members and district staff, posing questions and sharing their feedback.
The open houses are scheduled for: June 12, 4-7 p.m. at the Central Saanich Cultural Centre, June 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Saanich Fairgrounds and June 22, 2-4 p.m. at the district's municipal hall.
A virtual open house is also planned for June 17 from 7 to 8 p.m., with pre-registration required.
Smaller pop-up events will be held throughout the summer, providing additional opportunities for residents to learn more and share their perspectives on this crucial community project.
