2010 will be remembered, no doubt, as a special year in our District of Sooke’s progress! We have been witness to the adventure on ‘BC Streets’ at the Richmond O|Zone www.sooke2010.com , and many volunteers played a highly significant role in the success of our display. The Prestige Hotel will be welcoming guests in a few months, and construction is underway with the Mariner’s Village complex. Our Official Community Plan 2010 has been adopted and will be a cornerstone for our community’s future. Hopefully the post-Vancouver/Whistler Olympics impact that has been
predicted for Canada, and British Columbia in particular, will be recognized in our south Vancouver Island region, and especially in the Sooke to Port Renfrew area – Wild By Nature! – in the coming years.
 

As well, the 2010 EMCS Grad Class is making preparations for their graduation ceremony, placing the final touches on their review for year-end assessment – and, contemplating their post-secondary future! Hopefully the increasing focus on tourism in our spectacular region with its magical all-seasons setting will allow many of our young people to live and work in Sooke for a period of time, in preparing for their next adventure: our youth can be key players in the local labour market, for them as a stepping stone to post-secondary training or education plans, or for pending travel in various areas of the world.
 

Our natural setting is unequalled in many people’s eyes, and we need to work effectively as environmental stewards in protecting our surroundings (and possibly take for granted?), and to take meaningful steps to preserve this natural area for future generations. This could be reflected in simple measures such as reducing litter and becoming a bicycle and pedestrian–friendly area, or through more complex initiatives such as expanding the Sewer Specified Area to enhance the shore and water life in our Sooke Harbour and Basin.
 

I encourage you to be an active partner in your community, as an informed voter ( www.sooke.ca is one source of pertinent information) or an invaluable volunteer in organizations of your choice ~ yes, the formation of a Sooke Volunteer Bureau is a developing reality! Our District of Sooke will be the benefactor of your positive enthusiasm, constructive ideas and commitment!

~ David Bennett, May 5, 2010