Langford plans to tackle doctor shortage while adding to housing supply

The City of Langford has just announced a new plan that aims to help address the region’s doctor shortage while adding to the housing supply and expanding neighbourhood commercial space. 

Langford is looking to build a mixed-use development of up to six storeys with approximately 4,500 square-feet of dedicated medical clinic space to house between 10 and 14 doctors.

According to the City, it would be able to accommodate around 12,500 new patients. 

Furthermore, this development would include housing and around 2,400 square-feet of ground floor commercial space. 

Once complete, this development will be located at Langford’s former trolley hall site at 3213 Happy Valley Road and the adjacent property at 3217 Happy Valley Road.

This initiative was made possible after the City acquired the neighbouring property to the trolley hall in 2024. Langford is now advancing plans to transform the sites into a “people focused hub” that focuses on healthcare, housing and local amenities.

This endeavour marks the third collaboration between the City of Langford in partnership with the South Island Primary Care Society (SIPCS). 

The City and SIPCS signed a Memorandum of Understanding and have since opened a medical clinic in city hall, as well as the Goldstream Medical Clinic which opened on Bryn Maur Road earlier this year. 

“Langford has always taken a hands-on, solutions focused approach to challenges facing residents,” said Mayor Scott Goodmanson. 

“By leveraging the power of partnerships and underutilized City-owned land in a strategic way, we’re directly supporting access to medical care, while also encouraging more housing, and adding retail spaces that residents can walk to.”

The ground-floor commercial space will be designed to support neighbourhood-serving businesses such as cafes, retail and personal services. It will also incorporate opportunities for an outdoor patio or public gathering space.

Kelly Darwin, president of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce says this type of development will help create the kind of community that brings opportunities for small businesses to grow and serve the people who live and work nearby.

“A thriving community needs places to gather, cafés, restaurants, lounges, shops and those interesting little local spots that become part of our daily lives,” said Darwin.  

“The place that makes the best muffins, the shop with the perfect gift, the businesses where owners, staff and customers get to know each other by name.” 

The City is now seeking a developer to come on board as a partner to design and build the project through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP process will close on July 31st. 

Once complete, the City would retain ownership of the medical clinic space.