by Paula Kully –
News, changes, updates, launches? Email pjkully@gmail.com.
FROM SOOKE TO SIDNEY
Can You Hear the Call?
The 36th Annual Sooke Fine Arts Show is back live this year from July 21 to August 1, at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road, in Sooke. A call to artists is now open until midnight, May 24. Artists from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal islands, including Haida Gwaii, are invited to submit up to three works online at
www.sookefinearts.com. Detailed information is available on the website in the “For Artists” section.
Walk This Way
ArtSea and the Sidney BIA have partnered with over 40 local businesses and artists to present the 2022 Sidney Art Walk. Local artists’ work and public art installations will be on display throughout the downtown until April 17. An online map is available on ArtSea’s website at www.artsea.ca and printed maps can be picked up at the Tourist Information Centre in Sidney.
BY LAND, AIR & SEA
Round and Round We Go
The Town of Sidney, North Saanich and Victoria Airport Authority are partnering to build a $4.9 million roundabout at the intersection of Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road in Sidney, near the new Amazon warehouse. The roundabout is being constructed in light of increased traffic congestion as a result of the new warehouse that is expected to open later this year.
Hello Kitty
Beginning May 12, passengers will be able to fly from Victoria to Calgary for less than $100 round trip via Lynx Airline. The airline will have two services per week between Calgary and Victoria, increasing to three weekly trips by June 22, 2022. Prices will start at $39 one way from Victoria to Calgary and $49 one way in the opposite direction, making the baseline return trip come in under the $100 mark.
Ferry Between Friends Docked
Washington State Ferries recently announced that they will not open the Sidney to Anacortes Ferry run this season due to a staffing shortage. This is sad news as 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the route, but it is also concerning as every decade or so, the two communities of Sidney and Anacortes find themselves fighting to keep the ferry going as lawmakers in Washington State look to cut budgets.
CENTRE STAGE
Pure Gold
The Saanich Peninsula welcomed hometown hero and Olympic Gold Medalist Micah Zandee-Hart home from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics on Family Day. Micha, who is from Saanichton, played defence on Team Canada’s women’s ice hockey team, which took home the gold medal beating out the United States. Congratulations Micah!
The Curtain Comes Down – for Now
Sidney’s beloved Star Cinema turned off the projector on March 17 as the lease at their temporary location expired. While the community eagerly watches and waits for the completion of the Cameo building which will house the new theatre, the Star’s delicious popcorn will be available at Scotty’s Dog Shack on Beacon Avenue Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is expected that the shiny new theatre at Third Street and Sidney Avenue will be complete by late summer if all goes to plan.
Exit Stage Right
Tamara Knott, owner of Bright Greens Canada on West Saanich Road, recently announced her retirement from “freight farming.” Tamara has been producing garden-fresh greens out of two converted shipping containers that would traditionally require 1.5 acres of land while using 90% less water. Sadly, neither of the units is remaining local as one farm unit is going to Port Alberni and the other to Saskatchewan.
FIRED UP
From Green House to Hot Market Homes
Central Saanich council recently approved the next two phases of the Marigold Lands development. Development on the former site of Marigold Nurseries will provide a 235-unit rental complex and a six-storey condo building with 50 units and 14 townhouses. Construction is expected to take two years and could begin this April.
Put Another Log on the Fire
The popular, Langford-based 900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizzeria is coming to Sidney! The “little sister” will fire up the ovens in the former Woodshed Pizza location. Owner and Executive Chef, Adrian Ortiz-Mena, says the pizzeria will feature many of 900 Degrees’ most popular dishes and customer favourites, plus dishes that will be distinctly unique. Extensive renovations are planned with hopes of opening by June 1.
