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Come down to the block in Sidney Feb. 7 to 9 for many special events. See page 5
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FEB
21
Black Press
Friday, February 6, 2015
Residents turn up the heat on fire hall plans C O M M U N I T Y
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Sidney’s proposed site for a new community safety building comes under fire Steven Heywood
a high level of concern regarding traffic and pedestrian routes around the school.” Price and Dave Friend, aka Mr. Residents, volunteers and at least one school board trustee are lining Organic who runs gardening programs up against the favoured site for a new at the school, were interviewed by the News Review prior to the Feb. 2 precommunity safety building in Sidney. The proposed location — next to sentation. They are opposed to using Sidney Elementary School — has the school property for a new fire hall. Friend and Price noted that Sidney some people worried about traffic and safety impacts. Following a pre- Elementary has a high population sentation Monday night (Feb. 2) by of children at risk — kids that might react adversely to noise the municipality, some generated by the fire staare already throwing out “We agree that tion. alternate locations for the “We agree that a new joint fire department and a new fire hall is fire hall is needed,” B.C. Ambulance facility. Friend said, “but we want “The plan seems far needed, but we to know a lot more about fetched, sketchy,” says want to know a why (this site) was choJason Price, a School sen.” District 63 (Saanich) lot more about Sidney Fire Chief Brett board trustee elected last why (this site) was Mikkelsen said the land November. “And the argunext to Sidney Elemenments and rationale for chosen.” tary was deemed most the Sidney (Elementary) – Dave Friend appropriate out of seven site are without compelsites reviewed, because ling evidence or supportit’s essentially the deading logic.” Price noted he was speaking for centre of town. “There’s a large street network,” he himself only and not the entire board, which will be negotiating with the said, “it’s close to the highway and Town of Sidney over purchase price it’s ideally situated from an emergency and other conditions should the pro- services perspective.” Plus, he added the land is already posal proceed. “The Iroquois Park site and idea of zoned to accommodate a fire hall and separating the training facility from the has room for the department to grow station seem to be the best options,” over the next 50 to 75 years. Price said in an email to the News Review following Monday’s meeting. Please see: “The architect also seemed to betray Town favours school site, page 9
News staff
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Photo contributed by Team B.C.
Saanichton’s Micah Hart will captain the Team B.C. women’s hockey team at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George. The Games start Feb. 13 and Hart also earned the honour of carrying in the provincial team’s flag during the opening ceremonies. See page 18.
2015-01-27 3:38 PM