by Paula Kully –
WINNING
New Council
There are some new faces on the municipal government scene on the Saanich Peninsula. Sidney welcomes new Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, North Saanich sees former Councillor Geoff Orr take the Mayor’s chair and Central Saanich’s Mayor Ryan Windsor returns by acclamation. Sidney has four new members on Council, while Central Saanich has only one. In North Saanich, all six members of Council were acclaimed with four incumbents and two new members. Congratulations to all and thank you to those who have served on the previous councils. It is not an easy job and everyone who takes on the task should be commended.
Good Things Come in Threes
Trivago released its 2019 National Top 10 Hotel Awards on November 14th. Out of thousands of properties across Canada, Sidney’s own beautiful Beacon Inn was rated the #3 Canadian 3-Star Hotel! Congratulations to the owners and their great staff!
Cozy Destination
November also saw the Town of Sidney rank 12th out of the “55 Coziest Cities in Canada” by Expedia, the popular online global travel technology company. The ranking notes that: “Sidney is known for their book scene, making it not only a cozy destination but a most charming town, as well.” Special mentions are given to Beacon Books, The Haunted Bookshop, Tanner’s Books, and the Surly Mermaid.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Car Enthusiast Rejoice!
November 8 saw the grand opening of the new Canadian Tire at Sandown. It was an exciting day for Store Manager Grant Wood as hundreds flooded through the doors to check out the new store. Of course, Canadian Tire offers more than just auto parts, but it can’t be denied that this is a big win for all the car enthusiasts out there.
A Shining New Star
Thanks to Casman Properties and local building owner Stephen Weller, Sidney’s beloved Star Cinema will have a new home during construction of the new Cameo condominium development on the current cinema site. The transition to the temporary location at 9824 Fifth Street will take place in late December/early January. The Star will open in its new location as a three-screen movie house anchoring Casman’s 45-suite residential complex at the intersection of Third Street and Sidney Avenue in mid-2020.
Maxine’s
There’s a new stylist in town. Maxine’s Salon and Barbershop recently opened at 2407 Bevan Avenue in Sidney, the former location of The Indian Café. Although we are sad to see the Indian restaurant go, the Salon and Barbershop brings another styling choice for families and provides a fresh, new, welcoming look.
MILESTONES
Happy and Healthy
November 14 marked the fifth anniversary of Reach Health Clinic located at 102-9710 Second Street in Sidney. Reach Health is a multidisciplinary clinic that provides a wide range of services to mentor clients in obtaining their health goals. This includes Registered Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Manual Osteopathy and Holistic Nutrition.
Taking to the Sky
Viking Air has some big news to share! Their parent company Longview Aviation Capital Corp. recently acquired the entire Dash 8 program from Bombardier Inc. as well as the rights to the de Havilland name and trademark in all Canadian transactions. This will be the first time in over a decade that the entire de Havilland product line is housed under one corporate banner. We can only assume that this will mean great things are in store for the Saanich Peninsula in the field of aircraft service and manufacturing.
