Viewpoint, by Mackenzie Fisher     |         November 2, 2009

How true it is, that one doesn't appreciate what they have until things change. Sooke has become a bedroom community to Victoria in recent years. But Sooke's recent increase in residential growth puts pressure on the community for change.

A dramatic change underway is a plan by Prestige Hotels and Resorts for a 122-room hotel with a convention centre that can accommodate 400 delegates -- right here in Sooke.  Tourists will be accommodated. This brings additional business to town -- visitors will dine in our restaurants and shop in our retail stores. Visitors may enjoy the beaches and take home special memories, perhaps motivated to return for more.

Sooke appears to sometimes carry the burden of a less than desirable reputation among neighbouring areas in the region. Making our community a place that we can be proud of and a place that others can come to experience in a positive way, may be a good thing for our economy and good for our reputation. Whether it's a perceived association with drugs or alcohol use, Sooke suffers a bad rap in some circles. Snippets of Sooke are known outside this immediate area, such as great surfing or the ambience of Sooke Harbour House. This is a perception of Sooke that is perhaps now changing, but perhaps too slowly.

The new Prestige Hotel may be a strong focal point for Sooke to build a new image of itself as a livable community. For some, that might be too much too soon.  One local woman said, "Sooke is in definite need of change.” But a hotel may not, for some, be a top priority. Are we stepping too far ahead, too quickly? Sharlene Gwilliam doesn't think so; born and raised in Sooke, Gwilliam says, "We need this hotel! I'm sick of always being the (sports) team to drive and stay in a hotel 6 hours away just because we don't have the accommodation in Sooke! This will do wonders to our economy. Think of the job opportunity that our kids will have. It is so hard finding full time work in this town".

Some people seem to be upset about the hotel because they feel Sooke has little to offer. To look at Sooke from a tourist’s perspective shows us a community that locals might often take for granted. Our mainstay attractions and services include spas, ziplining, kayaking, boating, and fishing, hiking day trips to beaches in the area or in our backyard forest.

The rezoning for the Prestige Hotels has been approved by the District of Sooke Council. The project now proceeds. “The naysayers don’t understand the passion Prestige brings to the project,” said Wayne Novak who, at a public hearing about the hotel held October 20, preferred to look at the positive. “Prestige wants Sooke to be a destination resort.” Will local residents who resist the idea of the modern new hotel come around to seeing the benefits? To focus on the positive impact of the hotel is to reach for a better reputation and future for our community. Embracing change is the name of the game.   MM