What's Happening in Sooke - Construction Update

Still lots of construction activity in Sooke. Here is a brief update on some of the projects underway or soon to begin or just completed:
Shoppers Drug Mart is now open. This building is rather large and is fully sprinklered. In the event of an alarm, firefighters will be alerted to the FD Sprinkler connection by the blue strobe light. This will become common place on new larger buildings in the community.

Prestige Hotel is moving along. One wing is nearing completion, with the restaraunt also moving quickly. The convention floor still has a lot of work to do. Within the other wing, drywall work is underway. The boat launch will soon be back under construction (waiting for the final permit) In conjunction with this will be a new pier for public use that will also house the Coast Guard Auxilary rescue boat and eventually a spot for float planes to tie up. Fuel sales are also proposed. Eventually another section of the Boardwalk will also be constructed here along with a new marina for the hotel.

The first building in the Wenstob Industrial Park is now open after receiving his occupancy permit. At the moment, it is mostly storage inside but future plans are hoping for a sound stage and movie making opportunities. This site is located on Idlemore Road.

Also on Idlemore, Dale Arden will be constructing a new large storage building on his property. Proposed use is antique auto repair.

A new church has been proposed on Townsend Road to replace the old St Rose of Lima Church across from the high school. This is currently going through the approval process

The old Payless site has been declared clean and hazardous materials free. An announcement on use of this site is expected soon.

A new townhouse site is currently at the excavation stage on Townsend Road. About 20+ units to be located here.

New Portables are to be installed at Poirier and Sooke Elementary to house new all day kindergarten classes that will be starting in the new term.

A ten lot subdivision has been approved on West Coast Road across from Sooke Harbour Resort and Marina.

Another ten or so lot subdivision has also been approved on Maple Ave.

The site behind Station 1 (Tara Place) has been approved for a three lot subdivion.

20+ lots have been approved at a site on Wright Road.

A proposal for a 135 +/- lot subdivision on the old golf course property on Otter Point Road has gone back to the drawing board as council and staff had some concerns over the narrow roadways being proposed for this site.

Work on the entrance way to Evergreen Mall has been stalled for a while as there are currently no asphalt plants operating. It will have to be gravel for a while longer.

Mariners Village is moving along rapidly. The first building (building 7) has had the underground parking area completed with the slab now being constructed. Framing will soon begin for the next 5 floors. Excavation work will begin within the next week or so for the next 4 buildings that will surround this current structure. These will be 4 storey - 4 unit townhouse blocks. The developers have already been in to propose the next phase that will include the works along Sooke Road. Currently they are reviewing their parking requirements. In one proposal a three storey underground parking garage is being considered. On top of this structure will be five separate multi use buildings. Work on this section and the start of the marina expansion is expected to get underway this summer.

Renovations are underway to the exterior of the old Coast Capital (or Sooke Seniors ) building to house a new dental office.

The Spiritwood development has been approved for approximately 450 units in an area near Firwood Road and Maple Park Terrace. Infrastructure working including expansion of the sewer system is expected to get underway, possibly this spring.

The salmon interpretation centre and fish hatchery on Sooke River Road near Charters Creek are nearing the end of construction. This facility should be opening soon.

Several expansion plans for Ayre Manor have been proposed in a multi year plan that could see the capacity of this site over double its current occupancy.

The Sea Flora building on Otter Point Road is nearing the end of construction and will be applying for an occupancy permit soon. (this is the new green building near the Grant Road intersection)

The first townhouse building on the Eustace / Gatewood corner is nearly complete. Further buildings of this type will be constructed on this site.

Work continues on several existing subdivisions as they continue to expand. This includes Caldwell Road, Aaronwood Road, Churchill Meadows, Stone Ridge Phase 1 and Phase 2 (access of Mountain Heights). Some smaller subdivisions currently underway can be found on French Road at Larkspur, Townsend Road near Rhodonite, corner of Maple and Grant and several along Grant Road. A new 20 lot section for SunRiver is also in the planning stages. The large acreage subdivision of Gillespie Road(only accessible through Metchosin at the moment) will soon be ready for the first houses to be built. Approximately 2 dozen large lots will be on this site. Work continues on the Kendrew Property (Phillips Road) This rural subdivision which allows 4 houses on ten acre lots will have a total of about 65 homes when completed. Currently about 10 have been constructed or are underway.

Work on the Sooke Arenas new dressing rooms and concession expansion are nearly completed.

Developers continue to work on plans for the Grouse Nest Properties. The current projection if this goes ahead would be for about 800 units with some light commercial properties to be included.

While I am sure there are few more proposals out there, this gives you a taste of what is going on in Sooke. (And you thought the construction economy was lagging in our area)