Tensions are rising in Central Saanich as residents prepare to protest plans for new municipal facilities expected to cost between $45 and $50 million. The protest will take place outside the municipal hall on Sunday, coinciding with a public open house organized by the district to showcase design proposals for the new civic complex.
The open house, scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. at the municipal hall on Mount Newton Cross Road, will allow residents to view proposed designs for a new police station, fire hall, and municipal offices. However, at 3 p.m., a citizens’ group opposed to the project will hold a rally outside the same location to voice concerns over the project’s high cost and potential impact on the small community of around 17,000 residents.
According to a statement released by the protest organizers, the rally aims to highlight public frustration with both the financial burden and the lack of community involvement in the decision-making process. The group is particularly critical of the district’s plan to sell all or part of the current municipal property to private developers and relocate civic operations to a smaller, expropriated piece of land on Hovey Road, which is currently used as a hayfield.
Organizers say they want more transparency and public engagement before such a large and costly decision is made. They argue that the project could place unnecessary financial strain on taxpayers and alter the character of the community. “The rally will be an opportunity to show public concern and opposition to the current plans,” the statement said, urging residents to attend and make their voices heard.
Meanwhile, Central Saanich officials maintain that the redevelopment plan represents good value for the community. The proposed sale of the existing land could generate more than $20 million, helping offset the overall project costs. The district also emphasizes that the new facilities will modernize essential services, such as police and fire departments, while providing updated office space to meet growing needs.
City representatives have said that the current municipal hall and emergency facilities are outdated and no longer meet modern safety or operational standards. By constructing new buildings, the district hopes to improve service delivery and long-term efficiency. Officials also note that the potential revenue from the land sale will reduce the amount that needs to be borrowed.
Still, many residents remain skeptical. They argue that selling public land to private developers could limit community space and remove valuable public assets from long-term use. Others have questioned whether the district has explored less expensive alternatives, such as renovating existing facilities instead of building entirely new ones.
The financial debate is expected to intensify in the coming months. Residents may soon be asked to vote on whether the district should borrow $33.5 million to finance part of the project. The decision will be made through an alternative approval process or a full referendum expected to take place in the fall.
For now, both supporters and critics of the project are preparing for Sunday’s events. The district hopes the open house will help answer residents’ questions and clarify the long-term benefits of the new facilities. Protest organizers, on the other hand, believe the rally will demonstrate widespread concern and encourage local leaders to reconsider the project’s scale and approach.
As the debate continues, the outcome could shape the future of Central Saanich’s municipal infrastructure and community planning for years to come. The combination of public meetings, protests, and a potential referendum suggests that the project will remain one of the community’s most closely watched issues in the months ahead.
