Health & Wellness - Page 13 of 18 - Salt Spring Exchange

Forensic Nurse Examiners celebrate Two years at Lady Minto Hospital

It has almost been a two years since Lady Minto expanded their service with a team of Forensic Nurse Examiners. The program was launched in October of 2016, with the support of community service partners. Before this service was implemented, individuals who had experienced sexual violence had to travel to either Victoria or Vancouver to access services. The program is not only available to those living on or visiting Salt Spring Island but is also available to the general population of Mayne, Galiano, Saturna and the Pender Islands. The service is free, confidential and conducted in a private setting in Lady Minto Hospital where a client can have a privacy. Anonymity can be important when it comes to the impact of trauma. It is hard to think of sexual assaults happening in our little bit of paradise but in fact, our communities are not that different from many others across the country. The same problems that exist in urban centers also are exist here. Housing insecurity,…

Ganges Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Ahead of Schedule

A recent staff report to the Ganges Sewer Local Services Commission on Salt Spring Island confirms that the Ganges Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Project is progressing well and is within budget and ahead of schedule. Additionally, the report concluded that there is sufficient capacity in the system to accommodate growth within the existing service area. The Ganges sewer system and treatment plant, constructed in the early 1980s, has received only minor upgrades and repairs/replacements since construction. The current upgrade work is required as much of the original 40-year old equipment in the plant has reached the end of its design life and needs to be replaced in order to maintain the high level of treatment that the plant has been providing. Some of the key project objectives include: upgrade the equipment to ensure the effluent quality continues to meet the Ministry of Environment discharge requirements; improve health and safety conditions for the operato…

Water Interruption Notice for Salt Spring Island – Highland/Fernwood Water Service - September 20, 2018

Capital Regional District (CRD) staff are responding to a water system leak in the Highland/Fernwood Water Service Area on Salt Spring Island. The leak is located near 180 Maliview Drive. Until this issue is resolved, residents in the Maliview area will be without water for a period of time. It is also important to note that once work has been completed and services restored, you may experience intermittent discoloured water and/or air at your tap for short durations. Should this occur, continue to run your water until it clears. The water remains safe to consume.

New Free Wi-Fi connects Lady Minto Hospital patients and visitors

Free public Wi-Fi is now available to patients and visitors at Lady Minto Hospital thanks to financial support from the Lady Minto Hospital Auxiliary, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Country Grocer, Island Health and the Salt Spring Exchange. “We are thrilled to be bringing public Wi-Fi to patients and visitors at Lady Minto Hospital. We know how important a strong support network is for people who are in hospital, having internet access can help patients feel less isolated and more connected to their loved ones. ” Diana Hayes, Lady Minto Hospital Foundation Executive Administrator Patients and visitors can access the new service by searching for and connecting to the wireless network “IslandHealthGuest”. Free public Wi-Fi will support basic internet browsing, but not the large bandwidths associated with high-definition video streaming. "Country Grocer is proud to contribute to the provision of Wifi at Lady Minto Hospital. Connecting with friends and family in a time o…

Clean Air Bylaw includes cannabis, vaping and fines

Island Health, in partnership with the Capital Regional District, supports all efforts to promote outdoor public spaces free of smoke from tobacco and vapour devices, as well as cannabis (when legalized). Island Health enforcement officers and CRD bylaw officers continue to provide education and awareness around the CRD’s Clean Air Bylaw (no.3962). Island Health enforcement officers will issue written warnings in September and fines ($100) beginning in October, for observed violations of the Bylaw. The Clean Air Bylaw prohibits smoking tobacco, vapour products and cannabis in public spaces: Parks, beaches within parks, playgrounds, public squares, playing fields Within 7 metres of bus stops, doorway, window or air intakes Outdoor patios where food and beverage are served Indoor public spaces Similar restrictions on smoking or vaping of cannabis will apply when legalized.

Island Leaders in Canada and U.S. Call on Prime Minister to Abandon Trans Mountain Expansion

In light of the Canadian Government’s purchase of the Trans Mountain Pipeline and stated commitment to expanding it despite a court ruling quashing the expansion permit, elected representatives from the islands in the Salish Sea, on both sides of the Canadian-U.S. border, have written an open letter urging Prime Minister Trudeau to abandon the expansion project. The expansion project would result in 400 more oil tankers passing the island communities which the Islands Trust and San Juan County represent. In their open letter, signed by 22 trustees from the Islands Trust and the three San Juan County councilors, the locally elected officials describe how the Salish Sea region will be put at risk by the project, and how its protection – along with the orcas that live in the region – should be of national importance on both sides of the border.“As elected leaders in the Salish Sea we are compelled to speak out,” said Islands Trust Council Chair, Peter Luckham. “Every day we wi…

Neighbourhood Small Grants Launched on Salt Spring

Carolling by canoe on Cusheon Lake, the Firefly Lantern Festival, public pianos, Earth Day in Centennial Park, Art Jam, and a neighbourhood potluck party on Park Drive. What do all of these have in common?

They are all colourful and joyful expressions of Salt Spring culture, local projects and events run by people who are passionate about giving back to the community and who have seen a need to encourage social connections in order to make Salt Spring a better place.

To encourage and foster more of these wonderful events, the Foundation, in partnership with Salt Spring Island Community Services, is pleased to announce the launch of Neighbourhood Small Grants, which offers grants of $50 to $500 to support projects that bring people together, share skills and knowledge, build a sense of belonging and responsibility, and respect and celebrate diversity. The Foundation wants to hear from islanders who have a great idea for a proje…

Alliance Organization Hosts Events to Explore Vision for Island Future

Over the past year, an enthusiastic group of Salt Springers have met on the fourth Monday of each month at Lions Hall to share their hopes and visions for the island they so love. Building on the community engagement inspired by the referendum, as well as the need for healing the divisions it created, Salt Springers come together once a month to speak their mind, learn what is happening, and work together to find solutions in a respectful, collaborative conversation. The strong desire to address key issues while retaining treasured values was immediately apparent as overflow crowds gathered to share their opinions. Six major themes soon emerged: housing, economics, infrastructure, health, environment, and governance. For the past six months, Working Groups for each of these themes have been identifying and prioritizing complex issues as well as seeking solutions. Recent monthly meetings have focused on the work of these groups, with Infrastructure next…

Physicians Accepting New Patients

Saltspring Island Health Centre (ssihealth.ca), opens its doors on September 5th at 164 Kings Lane. It will be the practice location of 6 family physicians and a midwife. Four of the physicians, Drs. Anik Mommsen-Smith, Catherine Prendiville, Paula Ryan and Manya Sadouski are familiar to the community as family physicians already in practice here and they are welcoming two physicians who have been recruited to Saltspring to open new practices: Dr. Clare Rustad and Dr. Kesh Smith. Drs. Rustad and Smith are accepting new patients now and will start seeing people in clinic on September 5th. If you are interested in becoming patients of the new clinic, please use the web-based process at: ssihealth.ca/intake. Alternatively, a temporary voice-mail-only phone line will also be available at: 250 931-0148 to support intake, but we strongly encourage you to use the web if at all possible. Staff from the centre will be calling to book intake visits and hope to be in touch within 3 wor…

Temporary Wastewater Bypass for Ganges Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade on Salt Spring Island

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is currently upgrading the wastewater treatment plant in Ganges Village on Salt Spring Island and in order to complete the work a wastewater bypass is required between August 16 and August 28, 2018. During this time, wastewater will receive preliminary treatment only (solids screening) and then bypass the normal treatment process and be pumped directly out the long ocean outfall in Ganges Harbour.

The treatment plant upgrade work is required as much of the original 40-year old equipment in the plant has reached the end of its design life and needs to be replaced in order to maintain the high level of treatment that the plant has been providing.

Approvals for the bypass have been received from Environment Canada and BC Ministry of Environment. A marine water sampling plan will be implemented to test the water quality in the ocean at nine locations …

Video and Photos: New Bike Park Opens to Applause - Ribbon Cutting

After years of consultation, planning, design and community engagement The Salt Spring Lions Commemorative Bike Park opened today with a big turn out from the community. Dozens of families, bikes in tow, joined the project sponsors, managers and supporters in the opening of the island's first bike park. The family bike park is a dirt surfaced, outdoor recreation space with technical features professionally designed to facilitate and develop bicycle skills among children, youth and adults. After consultation with staff and PARC, the location was identified in the treed area at the southeast corner of Mouat Park at 160 Seaview Avenue. The 2011 Salt Spring Island Parks System Master Plan contemplates woodland biking and a bike park in Mouat Park. The location behind ArtSpring's upper parking lot was currently unused for recreation activities. Following an environmental assessment and other feasibility studies, the CRD and the Salt Spring Island Bike Club consulted with commu…

Grand Opening of the Salt Spring Island Lions Memorial Bike Park

Beshano Bike Trials Club will be putting on a free bike stunt show at the Grand Opening of the Lions Memorial Bike Park on August 6th, 2018. Show are at 11:40am and 12:40pm and are 20 mins each. This is a free customer appreciation family event courtesy of OutSpokin Bike Shop. Come out to the opening of the Lions Memorial Family Bike Park. Work on the bike track has been moving along very nicely. We were out last week with some special riders doing some testing of the trail, obstacles and berms to give the trail designers a feel for how young people are experience the track. The trails will evolve a bit over time with use but the early results looked very promising. The team of young riders had a blast trying out the park for the first time. Special thanks to track test riders Marin F., Meave F., Anaïs R., and Magnus R. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-containe…

The Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust receives $50k from The Farmers' Institute for The Root

The Salt Spring Island Farmers' Institute has donated $50,000 towards building The Root. This is a significant contribution to the Farmland Trust’s fundraising goal, which is now down to $510,000 thanks to the generous donation by the Farmers’ Institute. “The Salt Spring Island Farmers' Institute fully supports the leadership role the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust is taking in local food production, and we are pleased to donate $50,000 to the Farmland Trust for the Root, a very worthwhile agricultural initiative,” says Bruce Marshall, President of the Farmers’ Institute. “This project meets our goals to sponsor community projects that promote agricultural education and infrastructure. The project also responds to the recommendations and priorities outlined in the Salt Spring Island Area Farm Plan.” “We are so grateful to the Farmers’ Institute for their donation to The Root. Their support really means a lot in our community, and I hope it will encourage others to supp…

Farmland Trust Breaks Ground for The Root

Salt Spring Island, July 12, 2018 – This week the Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust begins construction of the new local food centre The Root at 189 Beddis Road, and officially kicks off The Root community fundraising campaign. “If you love eating produce and foods from Salt Spring Island and would like to see even more available all year long, and if you care about making the Island more food self-sufficient and would like to see more jobs in farm and food businesses, then you will want to contribute to the building fund at The Root,” says Patricia Reichert, SSI Farmland Trust President. “Currently 8% of the produce available for purchase on Salt Spring is locally grown, and the Farmland Trust would like to see this increase to 25% by 2025,” adds Reichert. Thanks to the donations to date, the Farmland Trust is well on the way to its fundraising goal but still needs to raise $560,000. The Farmland Trust will issue tax receipts for donations over $50. This money will fu…

Video: Bike Park Build in Progress

Update: New photos of the bike park in progress coming in. New wooden trail features are now install. The new bike park will be open soon. Stay tuned for updates on the opening day announcement. Well Salt Spring Island families and kids are in for a real treat. The amazing local team behind the creation of the Salt Spring Lions Memorial Bike Park appears to making something really special that fits in with our community values of preserve and protect. We went and had a little tour of the land shaping work in progress and the feel is really lovely. Our community will have a wonderful, safe, nature based activity area that is certain to be a great resource for locals and visitors alike. It appears tremendous care is being taken to work with the existing forest while also creating a great resource for active kids. Check out the video of our walk around this afternoon: .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-…

Ruckle Park Heritage Conservation Management Plan Receives Heritage Legacy Fund Grant

The Friends of Ruckle Park Heritage Society is delighted to announce that it is receiving its first and most generous grant to guide future improvements to Ruckle Park heritage. The Heritage Legacy Fund has provided $10,000 to help with the creation of a “Ruckle Park Heritage Conservation Management Plan”, which will not only serve Ruckle Park, but will become a template for conservation work on all BC Parks heritage sites. Ruckle is ideal, because it has some of everything, from deep woods to fields, from old farm structures to modern interpretive features. BC Parks has provided matching funds, to ensure the project’s completeness. The work will be directed by Heritageworks, under the skilled hands of Gord Macdonald and Ben Gourley. Some additional, volunteer help will be needed. Please contact Brenda, see below, if you have skills or interests to offer this project or future work. The BC Heritage Branch has also contributed $40,000 for the development of this Conserv…

New Specialized Community Paramedic

Salt Spring has a new medical resource – a specialized paramedic who does home visits. Chris Griffiths is a rural advanced care paramedic and part of the provincial Community Paramedic Program. The program, started in 2015, is now in close to 100 rural and remote communities in the province, but only six communities have been selected for advanced care paramedics who have higher levels of training allowing them to specialize in advanced care of medical patients. Griffiths is the first in the province to take on this new position. Community paramedicine is intended primarily for older adults living with chronic conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes, or at risk of falls. Patients are referred to the program by their doctor or other health care professionals. The combination of education and regular home visits is intended to keep people comfortable and safe in their homes and to reduce stressful and expensive trips to the em…

Salt Spring Housing Crisis - Share Your Story

Salt Spring Island has a severe housing crisis that is making it very difficult for many members of our community to continue to live in this special place. Have you been homeless despite having the money to rent? Have you been forced to leave the island because you can't find a home? Is your business or farm struggling to keep great staff? Do you live in sub-standard housing at high costs and don't want to leave because there are no other options? The Salt Spring Housing Action Committee (SHAC) is a new network of concerned citizens, farmers, business owners, and affordable housing proponents working to find solutions to the crisis. Elected officials have said they want to hear stories from Salt Springers on how the affordability crisis is affecting them. By sharing your story and filling out this form we may send your story as you submitted it, to elected officials, or in public communications. If we want to use your story for public communications, the newspaper or web…

Salt Spring Lions Memorial Bike Park Set to Begin

Construction of the Salt Spring Lions Memorial Bike Park is set to begin this week in the southeast corner of Mouat Park adjacent to the ArtSpring upper parking lot. Trail building is expected to last through July with the goal of opening the Bike Park to young riders in August. Additional fencing, landscaping and habitat restoration work will carry onto into the fall. The CRD awarded the trail building contract to local company Charlie’s Excavating. Hiring locally was one of the goals expressed by the Salt Spring Lions Club who made a substantial donation to the project. “The Salt Spring Lions Club is proud to add another quality project to their list of accomplishments which include Portlock Park, Pioneer Village, the Skate Park and many others” said Lions member Dave Carlson. The Lions will also be volunteering during the construction phase to help install wooden fencing. Planning for the Bike Park project has been underway for more than a year. Extensive site analy…

Living Wage Report Shows Challenges Faced by Salt Spring Families

Would you be surprised to know that it now costs more for a family to live on Salt Spring than in Metro Vancouver? This is the bottom line of a new report just released by the Salt Spring Island Foundation. A Living Wage for Salt Spring Island, 2018, calculates the living wage required for a Salt Spring family to meet basic expenses. For a Salt Spring family of four, each parent working full-time needs to earn $20.95 an hour to pay for necessities, support healthy childhood development and escape financial hardship. That’s an annual family income of $72,503.19 ($36,251.60 per parent). This is higher than the 2018 living wage of $20.91 in Metro Vancouver and $20.50 in Victoria. The Cowichan region is somewhat less at $19.05, while the 2018 living wage for the Comox Valley is $16.59. In the fall of 2017, the Salt Spring Island Foundation released its first VitalSigns® report, which examined community vitality in 12 areas of special interest, including arts and culture, h…

Maliview Wastewater Discharge Notice

A mechanical failure at the Maliview Wastewater Treatment Plant resulted in approximately two cubic meters of untreated sewage entering the marine environment through the discharge outfall pipe. The equipment has been repaired and the wastewater plant is functioning well again. The area impacted by untreated sewage 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 sample results indicate enterococci levels are below the 70CFU/100mL recreational limit.