by Mary P. Brooke     |         December 8, 2009

On a cold winter night, warmed by the cheer of a crowd of councillors, staff and community leaders, Mayor Janet Evans held a toast to the District of Sooke on its 10th anniversary, Monday night, December 7, 2009 at Council Chambers. In a brief speech, Evans thanked all those who had helped to build and bring vibrancy to the relatively new municipality. 

Incorporation of the District of Sooke took place on December 7, 1999. The original incorporation documents were officially signed by the then Hon. Garde B. Gardom, QC, Lieutenant Governor of BC upon the recommendation of then BC Minister of Municipal Affairs, Jim Doyle (NDP MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, 1991-2001).

Evans has been the District of Sooke mayor since incorporation. The municipality is now home to about 10,000 regional residents (about 8,000 in Sooke proper). The land area of the municipality is comprised (as of incorporation) of 4,975 hectares of land and more or less 850 hectares of foreshore and land covered by water.

A large cake was presented to the Mayor which she cut and distributed to the group of about 35 people present. Other pastries and beverages were served.

Evans feels that signing the agreement with EPCOR for sewer services is the greatest achievement by the District in its first 10 years. "Without the sewers, we would not be able to bring a hotel to Sooke or welcome many more residents to the main part of Sooke," she said. A brief speech was also given by the District's Chief Administrative Officer Evan Parliament, who said that, in some ways, Sooke is beyond compare to many other small communities he has seen or worked with.

Councillors past and present were there for the celebration (left to right): Rick Armour, Bev Berger, Jeannie (Rick's partner), and Maja Tait.	Kel Phair of North Star Plumbing won the District's trophy for the best decorated boat (in the spirit of Sooke).	A crowd of staff, volunteers and other officials attended the casual event.

A trophy was awarded by Mayor Evans for the best decorated boat (chosen by the Mayor as best representing the spirit of Sooke) to Kel and Sema Phair for the holiday lighting display on their boat the Reefseeker in the Sooke Spirit Fest sailpast (held December 5, 2009).    MM
    

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