Sidney

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)
Sidney’s Beacon Wharf is staying put for the time being, after a unanimous vote at Monday’s council meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)

Replacement of Sidney’s Beacon Wharf dead in the water, for now

Coun. Peter Wainwright says municipality can’t move forward without common vision from community

Sidney’s Beacon Wharf is staying put for the time being, after a unanimous vote at Monday’s council meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)
A report before Sidney council Monday recommends the municipality maintain Beacon Wharf for as long as possible without replacing it while also leaving the door open for replacing it with a new wharf. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney staff report recommends maintaining current Beacon Wharf, for now

None of the options generated a majority as council considers fate of facility

A report before Sidney council Monday recommends the municipality maintain Beacon Wharf for as long as possible without replacing it while also leaving the door open for replacing it with a new wharf. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Richard Coles, chair of the honours and awards committee with the Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch 37, and Val Noyes, Legion secretary, past president and chair of the poppy and Remembrance committee, stand next to Sidney’s Cenotaph. It will be the focus of what organizers call a static parade on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Public wreath-laying part of modified Remembrance Day ceremony in Sidney

Sidney to host what organizers call a static Remembrance Day parade

Richard Coles, chair of the honours and awards committee with the Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch 37, and Val Noyes, Legion secretary, past president and chair of the poppy and Remembrance committee, stand next to Sidney’s Cenotaph. It will be the focus of what organizers call a static parade on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Martha Wainwright plays Sidney’s Mary Winspear Theatre on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy Mary Winspear Centre)

Martha Wainwright brings optimistic new sound to Sidney Nov. 15

Singer/songwriter’s new album Love Will Be Reborn Strikes a more contemplative tone

Martha Wainwright plays Sidney’s Mary Winspear Theatre on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. (Courtesy Mary Winspear Centre)
Rally co-organizer Russell Tripp, here addressing the crowd during Saturday’s protest in support of saving Beacon Wharf in Sidney, met with Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith beforehand. (Photo submitted)

Protest organizer calls Sidney’s Beacon Wharf issue a ‘lightning rod’

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith reiterates no council decision imminent on wharf’s future

Rally co-organizer Russell Tripp, here addressing the crowd during Saturday’s protest in support of saving Beacon Wharf in Sidney, met with Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith beforehand. (Photo submitted)
Existing Sidney businesses are getting another break on their business license fees, but restart funding to help pay for such a waiver may not last long, according to Sidney staff. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney to continue pandemic-inspired waiving of business licence fee

Council votes to waive $100 fee for second year, asks staff to look into perpetual license program

Existing Sidney businesses are getting another break on their business license fees, but restart funding to help pay for such a waiver may not last long, according to Sidney staff. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
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