The District of Saanich is continuing its Moving Saanich Forward campaign with two Saanich Talks events and a pair of “engagement labs.”
It’s part of an ongoing engagement with Saanich to eventually develop a 25-year-plan for a Saanich-owned active transportation plan.
“Saanich’s transportation plan dates back to the ‘90s and this is about creating something we can point to as we move forward,” said Harley Machielse, director of Saanich Engineering.
In addition to the survey currently online at saanich.ca/movingsaanichfwd until Jan. 24, Saanich is hosting Saanich Talks: Cycling in Canada on Jan. 11 and Saanich Talks: A Livable Urban Future on Jan. 19.
“It’s a rebrand of our active transportation model similar to Victoria’s Biketoria,” Machielse said. “We found some people don’t resonate with ‘active transportation’.”
Dr. Kay Teschke of the University of B.C. will speak at the Jan. 11 event about the motivators and health benefits of cycling based on recent research from UBC. Brian Patterson of Urban Systems will then speak about the status of cycling in a variety of cities across Canada.
“Moving Saanich Forward is also about a healthier community, not just transportation,” Machielse said. “We feel that’s under appreciated, and is something we’re trying to highlight through talks on health.”
The Jan. 19 talk, A Livable Urban Future, is connected to the Uptown Douglas Corridor Plan, Machielse said. It will feature Thomas Mueller, president of Canada Green Building Council, Michael von Hausen, president of MVH Urban Planning & Design in Surrey, and Tim Payne, principal of Nelson/Nygaard transportation and planning of Seattle.
Saanich Talks events feature a question and answer period, welcoming public input.
There’s also the Jan. 14 Moving Saanich Forward engagement labs, at which Saanich staff will be available. The labs will have fun elements such as a photo booth and interactive games.
The Jan. 11 and 19 Saanich Talks are from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third floor of Uptown (above Best Buy). Both of the engagement labs are Jan. 14, the first from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Commonwealth Place Rec Centre, and then from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Pearkes Recreation Centre’s Lam Room.