This week, the District of Saanich is launching the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) which will either allow or block them from building the new Saanich Operations Centre (SOC).
This process will open on Wednesday, May 21st, and will be open through until Wednesday, June 25th.
The AAP is a process that seeks to garner the approval of the District’s electors. This AAP is going forward so that Saanich can borrow the funds necessary to build the new SOC, which would cost a considerable amount of money.
The District’s latest estimates are that this project would cost around $172 million, as of October 2024.
“The Alternative Approval Process is a fiscally responsible and efficient tool that will help the District ensure that the community has a voice in the future of the Saanich Operations Centre,” says Chief Administrative Officer Brent Reems.
“We invite all residents to participate actively and share their perspectives as we move forward together to continue to deliver resilient and capable infrastructure for Saanich.”
According to the District, this redevelopment will prevent service disruptions and stimulate local economic growth.
The hope is that a new building would allow for reliable services for the next 80 years, whereas the current aged facility served the community for 60 years.
“The Saanich Operations Centre supports many key district-wide services that ensure public health, safety and community well-being,” says Director of Engineering Harley Machielse.
“A redeveloped SOC will support service reliability and continuity, create a resilient infrastructure that will support Saanich for the next 80 years and will ensure that the District has sufficient capacity far into the future to manage growth and change.”
If the new SOC is approved, Saanich residents will see a 0.85% tax increase on average per year for four years.
Additional costs Saanich residents will face over four years, if approved, are a $3.60 per year increase to their water utility bill, a $4 per year increase to their sewer utility bill and a $1.70 per year increase to their solid waste services utility bill.
For those who have questions about the SOC project, information is available online, including a timeline of what work has been done thus far over the years in building a new SOC, and a public drop-in event is being held this coming weekend.
This Saturday, May 24th, residents can engage with the Saanich council and the project team to learn more and have questions answered. The event will take place between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the current Saanich Operations Centre Bucket Shed, located at 1040 McKenzie Avenue.
Those taking part in the AAP need to submit filled out elector response forms via email, or by:
- Delivering them in person at the Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Ave, during regular office hours
- By mailing them to: Corporate Officer, The District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Ave, Victoria BC, V8X 2W7
