Capital Regional District (CRD)

Maliview (Salt Spring Island) Wastewater Discharge Notice

A failure of the outfall pipe from the Maliview Wastewater Treatment Plant has occurred resulting in treated effluent being discharged onto the beach intertidal zone. The area impacted is in the vicinity of the Maliview Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall pipe at the intersection of Maliview Drive and Walkers Hook Road on the northeast part of Salt Spring Island. As a result of this discharge, residents are advised to avoid entering the waters along the affected shorelines as the wastewater may pose a health risk. As a precaution and in consultation with Island Health, the beach within the affected area will be posted with public health advisory signs until repairs are completed and marine water sample results indicate enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit.

Saturday Market in Centennial Park Reopening with Limited Capacity

The Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) is reopening the Saturday Market in Centennial Park in Ganges with new protocols and a limited capacity for vendors and visitors. Since July 16, the CRD has allowed vendors to purchase park use permits to set up in Centennial Park ahead of a new Market Coordinator starting August 1. Last Saturday, July 25, 11 vendors were in attendance and a similar number the Saturday before that. Space allocated to individual vendors is currently limited to a maximum of 20 vendors. We will be increasing from the current 20 vendor cap as we continue to assess distancing requirements and other safety protocols. The number of available spaces will also depend on the sizes of the vendor booths that have booked. Some vendors have 4ft booths some have 10ft booths. Starting Saturday, August 8, the Market in Centennial Park will open from 9am-4pm in a limited capacity, operating with modified protocols to meet safety standards s…

COVID-19: CRD Reminds Park and Beach Visitors to Maintain Social Distancing

To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is reminding visitors to CRD regional and electoral area parks to demonstrate responsible use in parks and on beaches. With summer weather conditions in the region, visitor numbers are continuing to increase with many residents choosing to visit swimming beaches in CRD Regional Parks. Visitors need to do their part to ensure responsible park use including: Stay at home if you are sick Keep 2 metres apart from other visitors outside of your group Share the beaches – maintain appropriate social distancing on the beach and in the water Yield to other users on bridges, stairs and narrow sections Stay to the right of the trail in a single file Only park in designated parking spots to ensure emergency vehicle access If you are unable to properly maintain a 2 meter distance from other visitors consider visiting other areas in the park If the parking lot is f…

Salt Spring Island Community Child Care Space Creation Program

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) has received $832,725 in funding from the Province of BC to support the creation of child and infant care spaces on Salt Spring Island. PARC previously received $214,000 in funding from the Province to support the construction of a purpose-built classroom to house recreation based pre-school program at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre, which is scheduled to open in September 2020. This additional funding will be used to expand the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre to include a permanent 1,500 square foot multipurpose room. The new space will be available for a new or existing non-profit child care provider to occupy during weekdays and will be open to community groups and recreation programs in the evenings and weekends. It is scheduled to open in September 2021. “We are excited to announce the creation of new child care spaces for the community as well as additional indoor spaces fo…

COVID-19: CRD Opens Outdoor Recreation Facilities

Effective May 14, outdoor recreation facilities will reopen at the Capital Regional District’s four recreation centres: Panorama Recreation Centre, Greenglade Community Centre, Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC), and Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (SSI PARC).

The following outdoor facilities will be open:

Panorama Recreation: outdoor tennis courts, outdoor basketball court Greenglade Community Centre: outdoor basketball court SEAPARC: skate park, bike park SSI PARC: outdoor tennis courts, multi-sport court, bike park, skate park

Signage will be posted at each facility reminding users to observe health and safety precautions and follow best practices for physical distancing. These measures will help to ensure a safe outdoor recreation space for all. Users are expected to continue to adhere to public health guidelin…

COVID-19: Shower Program at Rainbow Road Pool to Support Vulnerable Populations

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) will be opening the shower facilities at the Rainbow Road Aquatic Centre (262 Rainbow Road) starting May 11, 2020. Access to washroom and bathing facilities has been deemed an essential service for unsheltered persons by the Government of BC. As a result, funding has been provided by Emergency Management BC to help PARC cover the costs of free showers which will be made available to Salt Spring Island’s most vulnerable populations from 9am-1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the public health emergency. Patrons will be served one at a time and assigned a 30-minute time slot and private shower space. Between each shower time, change rooms and showers will be cleaned in accordance with the CRD Facilities Management COVID-19 Janitorial Guidelines. Patrons are encouraged to register for a time slot to avoid lengthy wait times. For more information, please call 250.537.14…

COVID-19: Responsible Park Use Needed for CRD Parks to Remain Open

To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is calling for visitors to CRD regional and electoral area parks to make the decision to choose a park close to their home and demonstrate responsible use in order for parks to remain open. Park status is being assessed daily. Visitors must adhere to the orders and recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) to stay local and ensure social distancing. Should these orders or recommendations not be maintained by park visitors, there could be restricted access or use.

The PHO recommendations and orders include keeping at least two metres of distance between yourself and others and not gathering in groups. Staff have observed that the vast majority of parks visitors are adhering to social distancing protocol. However, there are some areas where social distancing isn’t being practiced. In particular, cyclists an…

COVID-19: CRD Continues to Provide Support for Vulnerable Populations

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is working with its municipal and non-profit partners and key Indigenous stakeholders to support the most vulnerable people in the capital region. Currently, the CRD and its partners are assessing the needs of people who are without shelter or housing throughout the region and are developing strategies to provide health and support services, as well as resources to meet the basic needs of people experiencing homelessness.

The CRD is receiving an additional $1.3 million from the Government of Canada through the Reaching Home program to support people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This funding is to help improve the capacity of service providers and can be used to secure additional accommodation to reduce overcrowding, purchase supplies and materials to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and increasing the frequency of cleaning with di…

COVID-19: CRD Enhances Communication with Electoral Areas - March 30th, 2020 - 9:18 AM

As part of its response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Capital Regional District (CRD) has launched an additional way to communicate with residents in the Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Islands electoral areas. With people directed to self-isolate and not gather in groups, the remote electoral areas pose a unique challenge to share information with residents. To help mitigate these challenges, three new email addresses have been created for residents in the CRD’s electoral areas to ask questions and communicate directly with the CRD. These inboxes are monitored Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and the CRD will respond to inquiries as quickly as possible. If questions fall outside the CRD’s area of responsibility for electoral area governance, best efforts will be made to re-direct inquiries to the appropriate resource. Juan de Fuca: jdfcovid@crd.bc.ca Salt Spring Island: ssicovid@crd.bc.ca Southern Gulf Islands: sgicovid…

COVID-19: CRD Asks Parks Visitors to Maintain Social Distancing - March 24th, 2020 - 2:17 PM

To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is asking visitors to Regional Parks and community parks in electoral areas to adhere to the orders and recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO). CRD Regional Parks has seen a large increase in visitors in the recent weeks. Though many parks allow for appropriate social distancing measures to be followed, it has been observed that some parks are seeing traffic that does not allow for adherence to proper protocol as ordered by the PHO. The PHO recommendations and orders include keeping at least two metres of distance between yourself and others and not gathering in groups. While outside for fresh air and exercise, only be close to members of the same household and keep at a distance from everyone else. Responsible use of Regional Parks and Trails may allow them to remain open. Should measures outlined by the PHO not be able to be maintained, parks will have to be …

COVID-19: Open Letter to Residents of Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands

Dear Residents of Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands, We are living through unprecedented times. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a society-wide mobilization previously seen only in wartime. Public guidelines are being revised daily and the pace of change can feel overwhelming. It may be difficult to understand who is in charge and what is being done to keep our families and island communities safe. The Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is leading pandemic planning and response across BC. She has declared a provincial health emergency and ordered the closure of schools, restaurants and personal service businesses, restricted mass gatherings, and ordered international travellers to self-isolate. These orders are not suggestions. Our communities require 100% compliance for measures to be effective and violations should be referred to the police non-emergency line. Island Health and their local resources such as the Lady Minto Hospital are …

COVID-19: CRD Playgrounds In Parks and Recreation Centres Temporarily Closed

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency, the services provided to the general public at the depot at Hartland Landfill are being reduced. Due to increased volume, customers should expect long wait times when trying to access the depot. In order to promote social distancing and reduce staff/customer interaction, the following measures have been put in place: Only two vehicles at a time will have access to the depot Only credit and debit payments will be accepted, no cash No household hazardous waste (including paint, propane bottles and oils) will be accepted No renovation waste will be accepted Hours at this time remain the same, long line ups are expected. Please consider holding off on your visit until after the COVID-19 crisis subsides. Please note, the above is in reference to the public drop off depot. Services provided at the active face are not affected at this time. Alternatively, there are other private garbage drop-off and recycl…

COVID-19: CRD Maintains Essential Services During Health Emergency - March 18, 2020 - 4:13 PM

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and reviewing its essential services and decision-making processes to ensure business continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an essential service provider, the CRD must continue to operate and maintain service delivery that is crucial to the well-being of residents.

Significant effort has been put into planning and preparedness for water and wastewater service delivery, solid waste management, housing and emergency response services such as emergency coordination and communication for fire protection.

“I want to reassure the public, the Board and staff that, we, as the CRD are taking this situation very seriously and are doing everything possible to respond to the situation in a safe, measured and concerted manner,” said CRD Board Chair Colin Plant. “The health and safety of our public, staff and t…

COVID-19: CRD Closes Recreation Centres - March 17th, 2020 - 3:30 PM

To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is closing recreation facilities as of 5pm today. All three CRD Recreation Commissions met today and decided that Panorama Recreation Centre including Greenglade Community Centre, Sooke Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC) and Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) will close until further notice to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

We recognize many families and individuals rely on our recreation programs and services, and we ask for your patience while we continue to determine next steps as the situation develops. Limited services are still available. Please see the list below for details.

Day Camps

Day camps will continue to run until 5pm on Friday, March 20 pending additional direction from the Prov…

COVID-19: CRD Approach to Business During the Outbreak - March 16th, 2020 - 2:03 PM

According to the Provincial Health Officer there continues to remain a low risk for transmission of COVID 19 within the region though it is expected that we will see an increase of cases as the situation progresses. The Provincial Health Officer is encouraging organizations to operate their businesses as usual with increased attention to common sense practices and measures to support social distancing. It is strongly recommended that events that bring more than 50 people closely together – indoors or outdoors – be cancelled for now. This does not apply to buildings and recreational sites where social distancing practices are able to be employed. Persons that are ill are requested stay home until they are better. Based on the current recommendations of BC public health officials, the CRD will be implementing the following guidelines to direct operations in the region recognizing that recommendations may change in response to the situation as it evolves. Boards, Committees …

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Community Market is Cancelled - March 16th, 2020 - 1:30 PM

As directed by the Provincial Medical Health Officer, any events that bring more than 50 people closely together will be cancelled. Other activities that result in close contact or are operated in confined spaces where social distancing is unlikely to be maintained will be cancelled until further notice. As of March 16, 2020, this includes: classes and programs in smaller community halls workshops and training events in small rooms or facilities family workshops and guided tours as well as public tours at the Hartland landfill and the Learning Centre Regional Parks education and outreach events are cancelled until the end of March Salt Spring Island Community Market is cancelled as it is a large gathering place for both tourists and locals As the CRD operates numerous facilities and programs, service providers will be posting updated information regularly. Please go to www.crd.bc.ca/covid for regular updates on programs and events that have been cance…

Notice: Alternative Approval Process for Regional Housing First Program

Alternative Approval Process for Bylaw 4326 and 4327, Regional Housing First Program - The Capital Regional District ("CRD") Board proposes to adopt Bylaw No. 4326 “Land Assembly, Housing and Land Banking Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2019” to remove the limitations to borrowing and Bylaw No. 4327, “Regional Housing First Program Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1, 2019” to authorize the borrowing of an additional ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for the Land Assembly, Housing and Land Banking Service. The intent of Bylaws No. 4326 and 4327 is to extend the Regional Housing First Program for a total contribution of $120M, with the intention of meeting the original program goal of 400 units of affordable housing. Adoption of both bylaws is required in order to receive $10M in matching funds from BC Housing. Elector Approval The CRD may proceed with Bylaws No. 4326 and 4327 with the consent of 2/3rds of service participants, or at least 11 of …

Proposed New CRD Community Safety Service FAQ

The Capital Regional District ("CRD") Board proposes to adopt Bylaw 4325, “Salt Spring Island Community Safety Service Establishing Bylaw No. 1, 2019”. The new Salt Spring Island Community Safety Service is proposed to assist, administer, promote, organize, implement, and monitor community safety initiatives and programs in the Salt Spring lsland Electoral Area. Here is an list of Frequently Asked Questions about the service. Why the need for this new service? A recent increase in vandalism and civil disorder in Ganges Village prompted a series of meetings organized by the Chamber of Commerce, United Church and islands residents, resulting in the formation of an ad hoc committee to share information. These meetings identified constraints on resources for existing agencies (including repeated, unsuccessful attempts by the RCMP to acquire additional officers) and the lack of consistent and focused local funding support for community engagement with the RCMP and social se…

Alternative Approval Process Begins for Salt Spring Island Community Safety Service

Alternative Approval Process for Bylaw 4325, Establishment of a Community Safety Service on Salt Spring Island - The Capital Regional District (CRD) has announced an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) will be conducted for a community safety service on Salt Spring Island. The CRD Board endorsed creation of a Salt Spring Island community safety service at their September 11 meeting, with the goal of funding community programs across the electoral area. Establishment of any new CRD service requires voter approval of a bylaw defining the mandate and maximum tax requisition for the service. With Provincial approval secured, the AAP (“counter petition”) has been initiated. Elector response forms in relation to Bylaw No. 4325 must be received by 4:00pm on Friday, December 6, 2019 to be counted. “There is a gap in our services on Salt Spring and this is an opportunity to prioritize and advance community safety initiatives and programs,” said Gary Holman, Electoral Area Director.…

Shared Business Services Model Gains Momentum for Salt Spring Island

The Capital Regional District (CRD) and the Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) have received a Rural Dividend grant to further develop a shared business services model for Salt Spring Island. The grant in the amount of $90,750 will go toward development of a shared services organization that helps local business increase their economies of scale through better coordination around common needs. “This grant is a welcome step forward in establishing a sustainable model for delivering shared business services,” said Gary Holman, Electoral Area Director for Salt Spring Island. “It will help to grow and broaden our economy and recruit and retain business investment on the island. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the CEDC and former Director Wayne McIntyre who were instrumental in securing Salt Spring’s eligibility for the Rural Dividend Program.” Salt Spring Island businesses are challenged by limited access to markets, elevated costs for many cor…

See an Abandoned Boat? Please Say Something

Abandoned and neglected boats impact the health and safety of our shorelines, especially if fuel, chemicals or garbage are leaking into the marine environment. If you see a boat that looks abandoned, please let us know. Have a boat you no longer want? You've got a few options for disposal in the capital region: Donate your boat to a worthy cause: Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS) or Disabled Sailing Association of BC; If your boat is beyond repair, you can recycle most of its parts. Visit myrecyclopedia.ca to see how and where you can recycle everything from oily bilge water and propane tanks to engines and electronics (but make sure you're aware of any hazardous materials on board before you start taking things apart); Boats free of hazardous materials, prohibited items and recyclable materials can be disposed of at Hartland Landfill following the instructions outlined below. Common hazards on boats: Protect yourself and the environment. Some boat components may co…

Capital Regional District (CRD)

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