Gordon Head Residents' Association

The District of Saanich is participating in Emergency Management BC’s Tsunami Preparedness Week by encouraging residents to develop their own personal emergency... preparedness plan and understand the tsunami risk in Saanich. Just over 300 years ago, on January 26, 1700, many coastal areas of Vancouver Island experienced a significant tsunami. The event has been captured in indigenous oral histories and was measured and dated as far away as Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that major emergencies and disasters do happen in our own communities and that preparedness and understanding the risks is a shared responsibility. The Saanich Emergency Program also offers free virtual emergency preparedness presentations which provide information for individuals to be able to sustain themselves and their families for a minimum of seven days after a disaster. Consider attending the next emergency preparedness presentation: Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 Time: 7 to 8 p.m. Location: Virtual online presentation Register by emailing [email protected] or call 250-475-7140 Learn more about tsunami preparedness at https://www.saanich.ca//emergency-program/ty/tsunamis.html

This survey is not only for renters. It is important that all residents make their ideas known. You might want to comment on the survey itself.

Have room for more trees? If you own property in Saanich with a boulevard area along the road - you can help increase our urban forest. You can apply to be pa...rt of Saanich's Partnership Tree Planting Program. Saanich provide a new tree (or trees) planted on your property frontage. Saanich will work with you to select a tree species and you will need to commit to maintaining the tree in its early years. Find out more at https://www.saanich.ca//partnership-tree-planting-program.

#Saanich wants to hear about your housing experiences and ideas! Saanich is developing a Housing Strategy to direct how we will move forward to achieve greater ...housing supply, affordability, and diversity over the next 10 years. How can you get involved? Share your thoughts by taking a housing survey (deadline is April 30, 2021). Read more at https://www.saanich.ca//policy-initi/housing-strategy.html

Membership Fees of $10 per individual for 2021 are now due.

Spring is just around the corner and the Shelbourne Community Kitchen is hosting another fundraiser in the form of a Plant Sale between May 1st and July 1st. Wh...at is needed now to set up the Plant Stand is: - Perennials from your garden (labelled) - Seedlings that you have started (labelled) - Plastic pots, ceramic pots, useable tools and fun garden art So, go wild as you did in 2020 and let’s donate even more $$$ to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen in 2021! (last year $3500 was raised!). Call Vivian at the number below if you wish to arrange for the pick-up of your donations before May 1st. COVID protocols will be adhered to. 250-595-0543 As always, cash donations accepted as well --> https://shelbournecommunitykitchen.ca/

Don't they look happy! This is what it feels like to work in an incredibly beautiful place with terrific people. Thank you volunteers and staff for all you do to care for Arbutus Cove Park. #SaanichParks #NaturalIntelligence http://bit.ly/PullingTogether

Saanich is planning changes to Crosswalks in our area. 1. Torquay at Longacre - Construction is planned for this month 2. Kenmore at Columbia - Construction is slated for Jan. Both projects will meet the Active Transportation Plan and the Safe Routes to School Program.

Construction on Ash Road Repairs to the road over Mt. Doug Creek will begin tomorrow and continue for 3 weeks. more information is available on our website. www.gordonhead.ca

A little of the history of our neighbourhood.

Mt. Doug Tree Appreciation Day Saturday Nov 7, 2020 10:00-12:00 Beach Parking lot This year's event will fence, restore and plant an area amongst the large cedar and fir trees across from the beach parking lot washroom. Over the years with millions of footsteps, the ground has become packed, not the best for tree roots. To loosen and aerate the soil prior to the event, Saanich Parks will use an "air spade" to loosen the soil. Volunteers on tree appreciation day will then plan...t a variety of trees and shrubs. (here's a video ad showing one in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5D8ELGg04Y) Bring your own shovel. =========================== Saanich Engineering has informed us that the broken Ash Road barrier where it passes over the creek will be replaced in November. This will include replacing what's left of the old barrier with a concrete one and realignment of the centre line. The new alignment is expected to offer some safety benefits for cyclists. Signs will also be installed alerting motorists about cyclists.

We just got information that the University Heights redevelopment has been put on hold.

It is nice to see that they found a way to have this event under the present conditions.

An interesting read, although it references US conditions, the conclusions can apply here.