PENINSULA
NEWS REVIEW
Pioneer 8K race this Sunday
Seniors in Focus
This month’s feature takes a look at the many things on offer at the SHOAL Activity Centre in Sidney, page 7 Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
Returning race champs are back to defend their titles at the Saanich Fairgrounds, page 19
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Friday, January 10, 2014
Public called to action on Beacon Ave. Sidney’s consultation process continues at open house Jan. 23 Steven Heywood News staff
Public consultation on Sidney’s Beacon Avenue continues this month, culminating in a public open house on Jan. 23 at the Mary Winspear Centre. Late last year, the Town of Sidney set in motion the public process to get feedback from the business community, residents and even visitors on their vision for Beacon Avenue. The issue of the route has been simmering for years, since it was in the mid-1990s, changed from a fully two-way street to a mixed two-way and one-way route. A three-block segment of Beacon was made one-way at the same time the downtown was revitalized under then-Mayor Don Amos. Since then, some business owners have lobbied local government to change it back, citing economic and safety reasons. One of the main voices in that lobby has been Denis Paquette, owner of the Sidney Waterfront Inn. Last year, he formed the Sidney Traffic (now Tourism) Improvement Group, or STIG. Paquette says the group has updated its website this month (www.sidneytraffic.ca). It outlines the group’s reasons for wanting the street changed, studies done on one-way versus two-way streets and the economic benefits involved. “Changing Beacon back to a two-way street has been our main goal,” he stated in the email to the News Review. He added STIG hopes to have a presence at the Jan. 23 open house. Randy Humble, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Sidney says that meeting will be an information session and will present both sides of the Beacon debate. It’s open to business owners, residents and visitors, he said, adding Town staff and councillors are trying to be neutral parties and let the community decide the outcome. That neutrality might be hard to come by for the council, as some of its members have been outspoken against any change. PleAse see: Town seeks balanced approach, page 6
Steven Heywood/News staff
Ready for a little magic? Lego Harry Potter and friends are on display at the Sidney Museum and Archives on Beacon Avenue. The museum’s annual Lego display, always a popular draw, is part of the 2014 Sidney Family Day festivities. See page three for more.
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