The Capital Regional District is seeking North Saanich council consent for a $14.2 million loan authorization bylaw to build a 10,000-square-foot recreation facility at 1882 Hovey Road, Central Saanich. The Times Colonist reported that the proposed facility requires approval from all three peninsula municipalities (Times Colonist). The site has already received OCP and zoning amendments for civic/institutional use, confirmed by Central Saanich (centralsaanich.ca).
At the May 11 meeting, two public speakers opposed the borrowing, and correspondence cited by Councillor Con ran 12 against and 4 in favour. Council divided sharply: Councillors McClintok, Stock, and Datista, speaking in favour, emphasized acute capacity pressures and the risk that further delay would escalate costs, while Mayor Jones led a majority that was frustrated by the short public notice and the per-taxpayer cost formula. Council voted 4–3 to defer the loan bylaw to June 29, 2026, and immediately passed a second 4–3 motion requesting a CRD service delivery review of all peninsula recreation facilities. Voting to defer were Jones, Shustava, Con, and Shan; opposed were McClintok, Stock, and Datista. Separately, the Shoreline Medical Society’s clinic expansion received unanimous endorsement with $10,000 in seed funding deferred to the budget process.
The deferral and the service delivery review signal that North Saanich will not be hurried by regional timelines. If the June 29 meeting endorses the bylaw, construction could still begin in late 2026, but Central Saanich and Sidney approvals remain additional gates, and the comprehensive review may reshape governance well before shovels break ground.
The Capital Regional District has applied for a development permit for land at 1882 Hovey Road in North Saanich. The application will be considered at the May 11, 2026, municipal council meeting. No outcome has been reported.