Background on the proposal

In September 2020, the District received a proposal to make public land and some funding available to establish a community garden. (The application was submitted to the District’s Community Partnership Program, wherein proposals are due by October of each year.)

Determining a site

A detailed review of potential spaces was undertaken in Central Saanich. While the Society has explored private land and working with local schools, public land was presented as the only option at this time. Community gardens are most successful and well maintained when they are easy to access. Most members of the Society on the plot waitlist are from Brentwood Bay, and the core of Brentwood Village has the highest concentration of homes without gardens. The site being reviewed is behind the Boys and Girls Club at the Cultural Centre is within a 1 km walk of 1,700 homes and is near a public washroom and parking lot. It is currently used as open green space for neighbours and the Boys and Girls Club. The B&G Club has noted the garden would offer benefits and they can utilize other green space.

Consultation

The Central Saanich Community Garden Society will be working with staff and the community to come up with a design concept for the public to comment on. Staff and the proponent will explore feasibility before reporting back to Council by early 2021, at which time Council may be presented with a final proposal.

The District will be involved in the public consultation so as to hear directly from the community about support, ideas and concerns.

As soon as design concepts are ready for public comment, they will be posted on this site.