Langford

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where it all happens.

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS

where epic happens.

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With a population of 45,000+, Langford is BC’s fastest-growing community.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$80,331

MEDIAN AGE

40.8

VOTED THE MOST LIVEABLE COMMUNITY IN CANADA, THE MOST RESILIENT CITY & BEST PLACE TO WORK IN B.C.

MEDIAN SINGLE FAMILY HOME

$594,700

Just 14kms from Victoria, Langford is a City surrounded by nature. Hiking trails, mountain biking and paddle boarding are all just minutes away. Langford offers the ultimate lifestyle with endless outdoor recreational opportunities to balance its many amenities.

Technology businesses continue to seek out office space in Langford as they look to offer talent access to more affordable housing as well as a work/life balance. With so much to offer, Langford has proven to be the ideal place to work, live and raise a family.

NEW COMMERCIAL OFFICE & RETAIL OPPORTUNITIES

Langford’s economic growth is unparalleled in the Capital Regional District and now we know that Langford’s ability to pivot has stacked up against every other city in the province.

Belmont Market is home to Vancouver Island’s newest and largest Thrifty Foods store. With over 30 national and local tenants, Belmont Market has become a high traffic retail destination for Langford and the West Shore communities. Immediate retail opportunities remain from 900 to 4,000 square feet, with larger format office and retail available in future phases. Call us today to discuss how your business can thrive at Belmont Market!

Over the years, Langford has attracted large, ever-popular retail stores as well as a wide range of smaller, owner-operated stores and restaurants. What is probably less known, is the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes to develop and attract larger employers who can truly help move the dial for Langford’s employment base. Growth in the business sector provides a strong tax base for the City and diverse employment, shopping and dining options for its residents. The bottom line is Langford is the fastest growing community in BC, offering an affordable and desirable lifestyle with recreational options that attract talent which is important to business owners.

The community as a whole and the residents who live and work in Langford are the beneficiaries of this investment and commitment to growth.

Nick Fisher, Sitings Realty Ltd. nick@sitings.ca | 604-628-2581 sitings.ca

Terminus at District 56 is an eco-friendly, 5 storey mass timber building designed to connect residents and business in the West Shore. Featuring four storeys of dedicated professional office space and ground floor retail space for lease, Terminus offers flexible floor plans ranging from 680 sq ft to 13,000 sq ft. At Terminus, you can breathe in, branch out, and situate your business in the heart of Downtown Langford.

Matt Fraleigh, District 56 matt.fraleigh@colliers.com | 250-414-8440 district56.ca

Increasingly, Langford attracts investors, business owners, and service providers who share Langford’s vision of a vibrant, sustainable, healthy and family friendly community.

TO OPEN A BUSINESS IN LANGFORD CONTACT: DONNA PETRIE, MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

dpetrie@langford.ca | 250.391.3403 Learn more at: langfordedc.ca

23705 Langford Feature Times Colonist_PQ.indd 1

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A8 SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

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NEW BUSINESS, NEW EVENT!

Langford tops list of most livable communities in Canada

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JULIE LAWLOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WESTSHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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ike many of us, I am regularly grateful to be weathering the pandemic here on southern Vancouver Island. Growth and development have continued in Langford side by side with a proactive and sustained response to COVID-19 by the City of Langford. Congratulations to the City of Langford for their recent Economic Recovery and Resiliency Award from the British Columbia Economic Development Association!

New business continues to open in Langford, and I’d like to introduce two WestShore Chamber members who have joined our community in 2021.

First General Services is a property damage restoration company with over 89 offices Canada and the United States. They have just opened their Langford office on Amy Road and offer full-service property restoration and remediation in south and central Vancouver Island. You can learn more about them at fgsvi.com The WestShore Chamber was pleased to welcome Lustre of Pearl with

a physically distanced ribbon cutting in January. Based in the Belmont Market area on Merchant Way, Lustre of Pearl offers multiple beauty services at the same time. Owner Sofia Pastro explains that “The vision for Lustre of Pearl was born from my frustration with my lack of time. I loved having my hair, nails and lashes done, but scheduling everything became a real challenge.”

You can find out more at lustreofpearl.com As businesses have adapted to the impact of the pandemic, so have non-profits and charities in the types of activities and events on offer. The WestShore Chamber is pleased to partner with fellow non-profit Rotary Club of the West Shore on our spring event for 2021 – an online Music Bingo.

This family-friendly event takes place on Friday April 16th from 7-9:30 pm and the proceeds of all the ticket sales will go to support Rotary projects. Thank you to Seafirst Insurance Brokers for providing the gift card prizes!

If you’d like to learn more about us including our events and our members, please go to westshore.bc.ca

angford has emerged as the most livable community in Canada, thanks to its unique combination of affordability, economic momentum and livability, according to a recent survey by a market research and analytics company.

Ratesdotca, which compares insurance, mortgage and credit card rates in some provinces, wanted to find out where people would like to move to if they could live and work anywhere in the country.

They compiled a “livability report” that placed Langford at the top of 150 cities across Canada considering economic factors such as affordability and economic and job growth.

The award is the highest accolade for Stew Young, who has been Langford’s mayor since 1993, a year after it incorporated.

“It’s an acknowledgement of the change that has happened over the last 30 years,” said Young, who grew up in the municipality. “When I first became mayor, there was 20 per cent unemployment and businesses accounted for only two per cent of the tax base. Today, our business tax base is close to 20 per cent.”

The report notes Langford has an average home price of $725,300 and a year-over-year home price growth of almost 12 per cent.

With the youngest demographic in the region, Young is always looking at attracting businesses to the region.

“With the council’s support, we are always rolling out the red carpet,” he said.

“We want businesses to succeed, and we work as fast as we can to support them.

They also enjoy the lowest taxes in the region.”

Ratesdotca found that almost a quarter of people surveyed cited COVID-19 as a reason to move, and one in five moved or planned to move from a larger metropolitan area.

Langford scored high when the quality-of-life factors like its proximity to mountains, forests, lakes and the ocean, its small-town feel and outdoor activities.

The livability report notes that locations with higher-than-normal population growth — Langford is at 5.2 per cent, the highest in the country — may have above-average investment potential.

“We are now getting recognized, getting calls from Toronto inquiring about investment potential in the community,” Young said.

The pandemic has not slowed the rate of growth, with the recently completed $1.8-million Jordie Lunn Bike Park and a $1.6-million trail network under construction. A performing arts centre and museum are also the works.

“We are always building, always adding to recreational facilities,” Young said. “We wanted to keep going during the pandemic as a way to kick-start the economy.”

Other Vancouver Island communities that made the list of most livable spots include Cowichan Bay (7), Courtenay (11), Duncan (13), Victoria (30), Campbell River (37) and Salt Spring Island (50).

To see the complete list of rankings, go to rates.ca.

– parrais@timescolonist.com

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1764 Island Highway Colwood, BC 4.82 Acres ROSS MARSHALL Personal Real Estate Corporation Senior Vice President CBRE Investment Properties Group 250 386 0004 ross.marshall@cbre.com

• Feasibility Studies • Land Development • Municipal Engineering • Topographic Survey • Construction Layout

CHRIS RUST Personal Real Estate Corporation Senior Vice President CBRE Investment Properties Group 250 386 0005 chris.rust@cbre.com

Meaford Lands Langford, BC 10.76 Acres

Western Speedway Langford, BC +/- 80 Acres

CBRE Victoria consistently demonstrates success, expertise and substantial market share of land and/development site transactions in the Westshore and Greater Victoria.

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CBRE Limited, Real Estate Brokerage | 1026 Fort Street, Victoria, BC | 250 386 0000

Tel: 250-391-8592 Fax: 250-391-8593 www.wbrook.ca Info@wbrook.ca

Suite 115-866 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, BC

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Islander Insights – Getting to Know your Community Plan

slander Engineering Ltd. is a vibrant, Island-based civil and environmental engineering company with locations in Victoria, Sooke, and Ladysmith, BC. Our staff have been involved in the local development markets for the past 25 years working directly on projects in your neighbourhood such as on Latoria Drive, in Kettle Creek, on Center Mountain, and at Western Speedway.

Islander offers a broad range of services to clients, providing a distinct advantage and demonstrable value to projects both big and small. Our team of registered professional engineers, geoscientists, scientists, technicians and AHERA building inspectors offer great value and high quality, responsive service.

At Islander Engineering Ltd. we receive many calls from the public regarding development applications and requirements for the local Official Community Plan, or the “OCP.” If you are looking to start a rezoning or development project, this document is an essential component to your planning process. Here is some background on the Langford Official Community Plan. The Langford OCP was updated in 2019 and includes information on the infrastructure, sustainability, and transportation goals of the City. Building in Langford requires the developer to do the necessary research before submitting a proposal to city officials who then consider physical and economic aspects of the project before

granting approval. This process can be lengthy and expensive for the developer.

Langford also includes its citizens in the process by holding public hearings for all rezoning applications. The zoning process enables council to assess the public good against the public impact and then decide on the necessary amenities, or public compensation, that the City will require in exchange for the new development.

These amenities could consist of parks, roads, sidewalks, or funding for community projects.

If there is a development in your area, or you are considering one of your own, it is important to be familiar with the OCP, as the general goals of the City are outlined

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within it. Understanding the OCP will give you an idea of what the City will ask of you at the time of plan submittal, or you can include these items directly in your proposal beforehand. Consulting with a local contractor or consulting firm who is familiar with the zoning bylaws for your property can help you save time, money, and headaches on your next project.

Don’t know where to start? Islander Engineering Ltd. can help. Our team has over two and a half decades of experience working in the local community and we are always available for a quote or a recommendation.

Reach out or learn more at www. islanderengineering.com.

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Providing Langford with expertise in project management, hazmat surveys, site planning, civil engineering, land development, environmental engineering, and physical hydrogeology. By combining these services, our clients benefit from thorough project consistency, from start to finish. This multi-level approach also increases efficiency, coordination, cooperation, and technical insight for multidisciplinary projects.

Millstream / Treanor intersection commercial development A used car scrap metal lot was transformed into 160 rental units and 5 commercial retail units including an Oil Lube, Starbucks and Dairy Queen.

820 Latoria Drive Islander Engineering is proud to have incorporated low impact development features, stream enhancement, and improved cyclist and pedestrian access along the thriving Latoria Road corridor.

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Bear Mountain Over a 5 year span, Islander principals designed innovative rainwater systems, and several municipal sewer and water pump stations, water reservoirs, and above and below ground infrastructure for the ultimate build-out over 300 acres of land.

VICTORIA OFFICE 623 Discovery St, Victoria, BC V8T 5G4 250-590-1200 Mike Achtem, P.Eng.

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machtem@islanderengineering.com mobile: 250-893-9977

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A10 SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2021

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Poll shows a third of Canadians had end-of-life conversations in 2020

Celebrate Spring with the Trident Development Program

or Greater Victoria’s most motivated soccer players the spring is a great time to sign up and participate in the Trident Development Program offered at the Island Training Centre.

“It’s been a difficult year for young soccer players and we are so pleased to be offering this high-level program to kids this spring,” said Joe Wood, general manager, Island Training Centre. “By carefully following all the guidelines we can get kids back to playing.”

Athletes who are looking to up their game can join similar minded teammates in the U8 – U11 or U12 – U14 level. The program runs for 12 weeks, April – July with two training session per week.

This program stands out in the province for its quality coaching staff, several who have been involved with the game as professional players or coaches for Pacific FC. Included in the coaching roaster is James Merriman, technical director for Pacific FC and

former players Mark Village and Ryan McCurdy.

Participants will focus on dribbling, first touch, passing and receiving, control and key passing. The program is designed to be rigorous on skill and lots of fun. And it’s not just for the front 10, young Tridents who are goal keepers have a special section to train alongside other ‘keepers under the direction of coach Mark Village.

The Island Training Centre, a 55,000 square-foot facility on Kettle Lake Drive in Langford is the largest indoor field house in British Columbia. Although the training centre is Powered by Pacific FC, it goes well beyond soccer in its offerings. Adult drop-in sessions are underway for a variety of sports including basketball, rugby and baseball.

All provincial protocols are in place at the Island Training Centre.

For sign up for the Trident Development Program and information about all programming at the Island Training Centre, please visit: islandtrainingcentre.ca

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onfronted with the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial and medical crises that it triggered, many Canadians have taken a hard look at their health and wealth. And along with that process of soul-searching and taking stock, they have also started the hard work of planning for the worst.

In a joint survey conducted with cemetery, cremation and funeral provider Arbor Memorial, digital estate planning company Willful found 83% of responding Canadians engaged in at least one vital planning conversation last year on topics including end-of-life planning, eldercare, childcare, financial planning, changes in employment, and relocating.

In 2020, one third of all Canadians (34%) said they had broached subjects surrounding end-of-life planning such as making or updating their will, deciding on their end-of-life wishes, and estate planning. More than a third (37%) said getting their end-of-life affairs in order – including updating or writing a will, funeral planning, and having tough family discussions around estate planning – will be a priority for them this year.

“The needs and expectations of Canadians are changing when it comes to planning for end-of-life – but it’s important not only to think about one’s final wishes, but to ensure they are known and understood,” said Dustin Wright, senior director, Marketing Communications at Arbor Memorial. “An important first step

in this process is for Canadians to start a conversation with loved ones about what they really want.”

According to Wright, many Canadians who didn’t start end-of-life conversations – representing 22% of the survey respondents who didn’t initiate those talks – don’t know where to begin or what questions to ask. Beyond that, 45% of such survey respondents said they felt it did not apply to them, and 30% already had plans in place.

Of the one third of Canadians who started planning conversations around end-of-life matters last year, 58% said the conversation went as they expected it would. One quarter (24%) felt it was tougher than expected, while one fifth (19%) found it less difficult than they’d imagined.

Perhaps burned by how COVID-19 disrupted their expectations for 2020 – only 6% of Canadian survey respondents who set resolutions last year said they accomplished those goals – two thirds of Canadians polled (68%) said they’re not setting a New Year’s resolution for this year.

But that apparently isn’t stopping many from planning for the unimaginable but inevitable. This past New Year’s Ever, Willful said it experienced a 240% rise in will creation compared to the year prior.

“In 2020, COVID-19 caused Canadians to think more about emergency planning, including creating a will and putting endof-life plans in place,” said Willful CEO Erin Bury. “We have seen an increased interest in will and estate planning from Canadians since the pandemic hit in March, and while fewer Canadians are setting resolutions, we hope to empower more Canadians to have difficult, but essential conversations with loved ones throughout 2021.”

As seen in Wealth Professional and written by Leo Almazor

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