Sidney

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith recently stressed the importance of the Official Community Plan review. Staff plan to a draft version on Feb. 28, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Sidney).

Feb. 28 eyed for public presentation of Sidney’s new OCP draft

Current plans call for public engagement through March and adoption by early June 2022

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith recently stressed the importance of the Official Community Plan review. Staff plan to a draft version on Feb. 28, 2022. (Photo courtesy of the Town of Sidney).
This screen shot shows a selection of short-term rentals available on VBRO, searched on Dec. 29. Sidney council recently debated the enforcement of the municipality’s short-term rental bylaw.

Short-term rental bylaw in Sidney remains largely untouched

Councillors debated but declined to implement tougher enforcement measures

This screen shot shows a selection of short-term rentals available on VBRO, searched on Dec. 29. Sidney council recently debated the enforcement of the municipality’s short-term rental bylaw.
Alyssa Gerwing, executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives, points to the giant LEGO model of a castle based on Sidney’s Post Office Building as created by Canada’s only professional LEGO builder Robin Sather. The popular LEGO exhibition returns to the museum Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney Museum to host popular LEGO exhibition starting Jan. 2

The exhibition features a wide variety of LEGO models

Alyssa Gerwing, executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives, points to the giant LEGO model of a castle based on Sidney’s Post Office Building as created by Canada’s only professional LEGO builder Robin Sather. The popular LEGO exhibition returns to the museum Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney Street Market won’t be back on Beacon Avenue in 2022 after council released West Coast Impressions from the obligation to hold the market on Beacon Avenue. West Coast Impressions plans to return on a temporary basis to the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre, where it also operated in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Council frees Sidney Street Market from obligations to operate on Beacon Avenue in 2022

Sidney Street Market plans to return to parking lot of Mary Winspear Centre

Sidney Street Market won’t be back on Beacon Avenue in 2022 after council released West Coast Impressions from the obligation to hold the market on Beacon Avenue. West Coast Impressions plans to return on a temporary basis to the parking lot of the Mary Winspear Centre, where it also operated in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney will soon start selling monthly daytime parking passes in the parking lot behind the Oceanna building. The permits will allow passholders to stay longer than the three hours permitted for all other lot users. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney to issue more daytime parking passes in downtown core

Some councillors fear the move will impact availability of customer parking

Sidney will soon start selling monthly daytime parking passes in the parking lot behind the Oceanna building. The permits will allow passholders to stay longer than the three hours permitted for all other lot users. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney business will get a break on their business license fees as council waived them for 2022 in adopting its new business license bylaw. (Black Press Media file photo)

Adjusted bylaw waives business license fees in Sidney for 2022

Measure passes 5-2 with Couns. Scott Garnett and Terri O’Keeffe opposed

Sidney business will get a break on their business license fees as council waived them for 2022 in adopting its new business license bylaw. (Black Press Media file photo)
A joint venture has shared its preliminary vision for Sidney’s Cedarwood Inn property with the community as it continues to shape its plan for the redeveloped waterfront site. (Black Press Media file photo)

Preliminary vision for Sidney’s Cedarwood Inn redevelopment shared with community

A joint venture hopes to bring diversity of housing, locally-owned shops to the waterfront site

A joint venture has shared its preliminary vision for Sidney’s Cedarwood Inn property with the community as it continues to shape its plan for the redeveloped waterfront site. (Black Press Media file photo)
Virginia MacLeod reads to children during storytime at the Sidney/North Saanich Regional Library. The library is hosting multiple holiday themed events this month. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney’s library lines up family holiday activities

Scavenger hunt, story walk planned throughout the month

Virginia MacLeod reads to children during storytime at the Sidney/North Saanich Regional Library. The library is hosting multiple holiday themed events this month. (Black Press Media file photo)
Municipal officials on the Saanich Peninsula did not receive reports of flooding over the weekend, but are keeping their eyes on skies with another major rainstorm approaching. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Peninsula officials brace for effects of next major rainstorm

No reports of flooding over weekend, but authorities keeping close watch on weather

Municipal officials on the Saanich Peninsula did not receive reports of flooding over the weekend, but are keeping their eyes on skies with another major rainstorm approaching. (Black Press Media file photo)
Vancouver-based company Lions Gate Consulting has received the contract to develop Sidney’s economic development strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Consulting firm to help Sidney build bridge to future prosperity

Council approves Vancouver-based Lions Gate Consulting to create economic development strategy

Vancouver-based company Lions Gate Consulting has received the contract to develop Sidney’s economic development strategy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, says having more modestly priced housing in the area would help it attract and keep workers in the face of an aging workforce. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)

Better housing options needed, says Saanich Peninsula chamber boss

Al Smith says higher density in certain areas could lead to housing that workers could afford

Al Smith, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, says having more modestly priced housing in the area would help it attract and keep workers in the face of an aging workforce. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce)
Rotary Park in North Saanich, known primarily for baseball and softball, could potentially be the site of pickleball courts. Sidney council has asked staff to contact North Saanich and other park stakeholders to investigate the possibility of placing dedicated courts in a portion of the park used for overflow parking. (Black Press Media file photo)

Play Pickleball! North Saanich baseball/softball park considered for courts

Sidney staff asked to look into possibility of sport’s future at Rotary Park

Rotary Park in North Saanich, known primarily for baseball and softball, could potentially be the site of pickleball courts. Sidney council has asked staff to contact North Saanich and other park stakeholders to investigate the possibility of placing dedicated courts in a portion of the park used for overflow parking. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney proposes to build a fenced off-leash dog park in Resthaven Park, with two possible options for size. Residents have until Dec. 3 to answer an online survey. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney could let the dogs out in Resthaven Park

Municipality wants public input on plans for off-leash park on Sidney’s east side

Sidney proposes to build a fenced off-leash dog park in Resthaven Park, with two possible options for size. Residents have until Dec. 3 to answer an online survey. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
This 71-unit apartment building currently under construction on Fifth Street between Henry Avenue and Malaview Avenue is among the residential units permitted in 2021. According to figures from the Town of Sidney, staff have issued 166 permits for 77 housing units this year through October, for a total of about $24.2 million, significantly down from the peak in 2020. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

New construction in Sidney starts to bottom out after peaking in 2020

Year-to-date permits worth $24.2 million through October; 2020 total $74.5 million in 10 months

This 71-unit apartment building currently under construction on Fifth Street between Henry Avenue and Malaview Avenue is among the residential units permitted in 2021. According to figures from the Town of Sidney, staff have issued 166 permits for 77 housing units this year through October, for a total of about $24.2 million, significantly down from the peak in 2020. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida will be at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m (Photo courtesy of the Mary Winspear Centre)

Dynamic Canadian musical duo brings their music to Sidney

Mary Winspear Centre welcomes Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida this Thursday

Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida will be at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m (Photo courtesy of the Mary Winspear Centre)
Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and Coun. Sara Duncan said climate change will play an increasingly important role in planning the future of not only Beacon Wharf, but the waterfront at large. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Climate change expected to increasingly shape Sidney waterfront planning

Coastline subject to same climate-related issues as Beacon Wharf say mayor, councillor

Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and Coun. Sara Duncan said climate change will play an increasingly important role in planning the future of not only Beacon Wharf, but the waterfront at large. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Lori McDermid and Darren Westwood flank Santa Claus during the inaugural Sidney Outdoor Christmas Market held Sunday in the parking lot of Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney Outdoor Christmas Market inaugurates festive season

Organized by West Coast Impressions, the market drew enthusiastic crowds Sunday

Lori McDermid and Darren Westwood flank Santa Claus during the inaugural Sidney Outdoor Christmas Market held Sunday in the parking lot of Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney artist Odette Laroche stands in front of the Poppy Project, which features 30 separate tiles completed by 10 different artists. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney mural marks sacrifice of Canadian soldiers through the art of the masters

The six-by-eight-foot mural consists of 30 oil paintings by 10 different painters

Sidney artist Odette Laroche stands in front of the Poppy Project, which features 30 separate tiles completed by 10 different artists. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A few hundred residents gathered with veterans outside Sidney Municipal Hall Nov. 11 to remember all those who have served Canada in war. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Hundreds remember the sacrifices of veterans at Sidney’s Remembrance Day ceremony

A few hundred residents paid their respects outside the Sidney cenotaph Nov. 11

A few hundred residents gathered with veterans outside Sidney Municipal Hall Nov. 11 to remember all those who have served Canada in war. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The comedy duo of James and Jamesy will present O Christmas Tea at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Theatre on Nov. 20. (Courtesy of Thaddeus Hink)

Duo serves up British comedy with two shows in Greater Victoria

Show by James and Jamesy pays tribute to classic British pantomimes

The comedy duo of James and Jamesy will present O Christmas Tea at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Theatre on Nov. 20. (Courtesy of Thaddeus Hink)