Local news and information from the West Bay Residents Association |
|
|
Community UpdateAugust, 2021 Edition |
|
|
Happy Summer to the West Bay Community |
|
|
The Board of the West Bay Residents Association is pleased to introduce to you the Community Update Newsletter for August 2021 |
|
|
Included in this edition is an update on what is happening with the Lexi development project at 899 Esquimalt Road. Read the update on the Lexi development Additional highlights include the latest updates on West Bay neighbourhood development proposals – there are currently 8 new development projects underway in our community, and one more in the early stages. |
|
|
Esquimalt’ Official Community Plan (OCP) is an important document. It talks about population growth and implications for infrastructure and resources. It lays out where growth is to occur within the community and in what manner. The development of an OCP is the result of a long interactive consultation process — the coming together of residents to plan how a community’s future growth will occur. Esquimalt’s OCP was approved in 2018. |
|
|
We have included two short informational pieces on our Official Community Plan (OCP). The first article “The Importance of Esquimalt’s OCP” is an overview of what an OCP is, its intended purpose and why it is important that you are familiar with it. |
|
|
The second article, “Developing West Bay,” provides information and links to maps and documents that will explain what kind of development we can expect in West Bay in the future. |
|
|
This edition’s heritage piece, “West Bay’s Boozy History”, is about the area’s very first brewery, located right here in West Bay, in a WBRA member’s backyard. Learn about West Bay's boozy history Also, we have included a bit of Esquimalt Drinking Trivia: “…after prohibition, Esquimalt was the only area to allow licensed establishments, and Victoria remained ‘dry’ until 1952!" |
|
|
We want to welcome the Township’s new Director of Parks, Steve Knoke, and we would like to introduce our Parks Manager, Rick Daykin. Esquimalt has some of the best parks, dare we say, in the whole wide world and it is due to the special efforts of all Parks staff over the years. |
|
|
We residents of West Bay are particularly fond of Captain Jacobson’s Park, located at the foot of Head Street, on the harbour. Check out the article on the Captain and a map of all of Esquimalt’s Parks. |
|
|
RIP Dear Old Friend It is with great sadness that we report the demise of the large Garry Oak tree, situated on Head Street in front of the new West Bay Quay development, on the north side of the Triangle Lands. See What Happened |
|
West Bay “Meet Your Neighbour” community event We have heard back from members that yes, you would like to have some sort of event marking the end of summer and coming of fall. Your suggestions included a little music, nothing too fancy, just a getting together of neighbours. So stay tuned for an event possibly in September, depending on what Covid has in store for us, and continue to drop us a line on any ideas you have for such a gathering. westbayresidentsassoc@shaw.ca |
|
|
Make sure to keep an eye out for Community Update Fall Edition 2021. If you are not already signed up for WBRA’s Update Newsletters, email us to be added to the list. Sign Up for Updates |
|
|
In the next edition you will find all the regular updates as well as other interesting resources, tools and information pieces. Sneak Preview In 1914 Yarrow Shipbuilders became a major employer in Esquimalt. At its peak, Yarrows employed over 4300 workers, churning out dozens of ships for the war effort. Of the approximately 275 wartime homes built to accommodate the workers, a good number of these historic structures still stand in West Bay. Take a walk down Dunsmuir Road and Paradise Street to see how these unique small homes have been preserved and personalized, and how they enhance the unique fabric of our neighbourhood. |
|
|
In our next newsletter you will find more information about these historic wartime houses, how some of the massive timbers from the now decommissioned Yarrow Ways ended up in West Bay, and where you can find them now. |
|
|
A little bit about us—the WBRA is an ambassador and dedicated advocate for the West
Bay community, as well as a resource to the residents of the area and others. We have been a registered Society since 1992. If you have not already done so, please register your membership by visiting the Become a Member page on our website. |
|
|
Are you interested in joining the WBRA Board of Directors? Do you have a passion for the West Bay community? Do you have skills and abilities that you would like to put to work in your community? The nomination process for Board Director begins with a written submission to the Board Chair. If you would like to speak with the Chair and get to know what the role and expectations are, please email: WestBayResidentsAssoc@shaw.ca. |
|
|
We want to keep in touch. If you have any questions, concerns or items to discuss or
share, or suggestions for the website, newsletter or Facebook page, please fill out our contact form. We do our best to respond to all communications within 24 hours. | | |
|
|
Clockwise from top left: Rozlynne Mitchell (Chair); Amy Higginbotham (Vice-Chair); Carole Witter (Past Chair); Hilary Strang; Colin MacLock; Kate Shepherd (Secretary/Treasurer) |
|
|
|
|
