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NORTH PARK VILLAGE NEWS . JUNE 2015
North Park Village News is published in June and November by the North Park Neighbourhood Association.Publisher: NPNAEditor: Penny BondContributing Writers: Sharon Klein, Jeremy Loveday, Al Gallupe, Melinda Jolley Creative: KOKO Creative
NPNA meets on the first Wednesday every month, 7:00 pm at North Park Manor Lounge, 875 North Park Street, follow path to left by the main entrance. Everyone welcome.
Box 661, #185 - 911 Yates Street, Victoria, B.C., V8Y 4Y9 Website: npna.caEmail: [email protected]
NPNA Board Members 2014/2015Executive:Tim Hewett PresidentPenny Bond SecretaryClaudia de Haan Treasurer
Directors:Nicole DillmanJenny FarkasDaniel Ferguson Katie Fillion Al GallupeCharles Joerin
North Park Village News
It’s 11:04 am, John’s energetic 10:00 o’clock class is pouring out of the pool, and we are waiting for him to take us through our “rigors” for the aqualight aerobics class. Not anything strenuous mind you--after all, this is the 'rehabilitation' class of approximately 30 women ranging in age from 30 years to 80 years – John’s Girls, the ‘Naughty Class’ they call us.
There’s lots of in-pool gabbing going on during these classes. I told my husband it’s like the village well where the women meet and talk about life. I’ve learned several things about: gardening, health insurance, how to properly fill out government forms, cooking, camping, pensions, where to get an inexpensive massage, how to deal with arthritis, etc. -- the necessities, enrichments and joys of life!
cont’d on page 2
We need your input. Important conversations are starting in our neighbourhood.
1. Placebranding survey. Tell us what makes this ‘hood unique. We’re not Fernwood or Fairfield... so who are we? Fill out our short survey at npna.ca/survey.
2. Village design ideas. The City of Victoria wants to know what kind of improvements we would like to see in our village when Cook Street gets repaved. Email us for workshop details at [email protected]
3. Festival re-imagining & community safety. Have some ideas for a new kind of summer festival? Want to share your definition of safety so we can work together to create more of it? Email us at [email protected]
It’s your neighbourhood - let’s talk about it.
Crystal Pool: John’s Girls by Sharon Klein
John with members of the aqualite class at Crystal Pool. Photo by Eric Hayes
I love John's classes at the pool. He is incredibly knowledgable and each time I always learn something about how my body operates. Yet he is always lighthearted and outgoing. You also get to know the other women over time. It's a boost to go, in several ways.
Caroline, participant aqualight class
NORTH PARK VILLAGE NEWS . JUNE 2015 . PAGE 2
While the gals are sharing stories in the pool, John patiently shares his knowledge and wisdom with us. He has taught aqua aerobics for over ten years, as well as dry land fitness, and is a qualified shiatsu massage therapist. John has a following and his aqua classes attract people from all over the CRD.
I have taken many water aqua fit classes at the Crystal Pool over the years, and don’t go to other pools, unless it is closed for their once-a-year maintenance. When I started going in the '80s it was Morning Moves, now it is aqualight. The class was great for me after my hip surgery – got everything moving again. It is my pool of choice, as I find the other ones too hot, too dark, way too large, and not as friendly and comfortable as the Crystal. Jette, participant aqualight class
We all love the pool too with lots of room to move around and huge domes in the ceiling that let the sunlight in. When it’s sunny outside you may find yourself in the pool under one of the domes basking in the rays. How beautiful is that?!
Many people enjoy the pool and its amenities every day. Some come for serious exercise, some swim laps and others just enjoy the sauna, steam room and whirlpool. When the weather is sunny, the outside deck offers lounges for sunbathing and a cool outside shower. It’s the pool we have all come to love even with its shortcomings; she’s a good ol’ gal!
Crystal Pool has a proud history from being a pool of distinction among swimmers to morphing into an important centre for the community. Built as the first competitive swimming pool for Vancouver Island in 1971, it has produced some world-class swimmers. In 1993 competitive swimmers were drawn away with the opening of the Commonwealth Pool in Saanich. During the mid 1980s Crystal Pool was reinvented as a recreation centre with the additions of a tot pool and more programming.
Several city reports have assessed Crystal Pool, all with recommendations on what to
do with it, each noting that it needs major upgrades.
Currently, City Council is looking at the Stantec Report (you can locate this on the city of Victoria website http://www.victoria.ca/) on Options for replacement and refurbishment.
Monica Dhawan, Correspondence Coordinator, Citizen Engagement and Strategic Planning for the city of Victoria, stated in an earlier email to NPNA, “The report and building assessment will provide details on the current state of the infrastructure as well as the potential for, and extent of, future work required to continue to provide the public service.
At the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Council directed staff to develop a public consultation process that will be deployed as soon as this facilities assessment is complete. With the additional information from the assessment both the public and Council will have a greater understanding of the most viable options for the Crystal Pool, whether to renovate the existing facility, or to rebuild. It is recognized that public input is essential on this project, and Council will not make decisions on the future of the fitness centre without it.”
Crystal Pool is at the heart of our neighbourhood and has the potential to be a real gem for our city. We need to re-invest in our public pool and fitness facility. I think that upgrades to the Crystal Pool should include public meeting space that could be a home for the North Park Neighbourhood Association. Councillor Jeremy Loveday
John’s classes are examples of the importance of Crystal Pool to the neighbourhood and the city, providing exercise and building community. Keep in touch with what’s happening with the pool by contacting the “Friends of Crystal Pool” on FaceBook or [email protected]. A full list of programs at Crystal Pool Recreation Centre is available at http://www.victoria.ca/
Crystal Pool: John’s Girls ...cont’d from Page 1 Meet your city liaison for NP
I’m excited to introduce myself as your City Council liaison. I requested to be the liaison for North Park because I love this community and because it feels like home to me. The innovative and passionate people who live here create a defining sense of community that makes North Park special. Working together, I believe that we can build upon existing strengths to further improve the accessibility and vitality of our neighbourhood. I am particularly passionate about working with residents, small businesses, and community groups to invigorate and define the North Park Neighbourhood Village Centre.
Crystal Pool is the city’s only public pool and fitness centre. In order to protect the long-term vibrancy and sustainability of this key community asset, I believe re-investment by the City is needed. Additionally, creating a neighbourhood that promotes active transportation is one of my top priorities. The 7.5 million dollars recently dedicated to cycling infrastructure is an exciting indication of council’s commitment in this regard. I look forward to working with North Park residents to establish active transportation initiatives that can be implemented in our neighbourhood.
It is essential that development make sense for the neighbourhood. I welcome your ideas and feedback regarding development proposals and potential projects. I am committed to being open, engaged, and available as your council liaison and I’m excited to work with you over the upcoming 3.5 years. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch! Jeremy [email protected]
NORTH PARK VILLAGE NEWS . JUNE 2015 . PAGE 3
May 2015 - Bosa/BlueSky has been quiet on the St. Andrew’s proposal since September, when the developer asked to postpone the public hearing. But in March the North Park Land Use Committee was contacted and met with the developer in April. That led to a presentation by Mark Kopinya and Jennifer Kay at the May NPNA meeting.
What is still in the plan? The up to 38,000 square-foot, single-tenant retail space on Pandora; all traffic in and out off Mason Street; a walkway alongside the park rather than through the site; and the same basic design – one building taking up the whole footprint, gated, with interior courtyard for residents.
What is the developer open to considering? A 750 square-foot community room; 11 “affordable” rental units (out of 211); pet-friendly amenities (dog-grooming area); double the number of bike racks; and sculpting of Mason to calm traffic.
Also, the developer will consider lowering the height on the Franklin Green Park and Mason St. corner section from four to three storeys if the community room and the 11 “affordable” units are dropped.
St. Andrew’s School Plan Revisted by Al Gallupe
Many questions came from the crowd who attended. For instance: how long is the developer committed to rental? Answer: the agreement with the city (after pressure from the neighbourhood) is for ten years of rental before the option to convert to condos is available.
What does "affordable" mean? Answer: the city has guidelines. Those guidelines, according to senior planner, John Reilly, in responding to an email request, are $725 for a bachelor, $863 for a 1-bedroom, and $1,075 for a 2-bedroom. A further question would be: is this affordable? What are market rents? Not available yet. Check the BlueSky website: http://blueskyproperties.ca/
More questions: what about the Mason Street City Farm? Updated shadow studies have been provided. What about incorporating the St. Andrew’s School building? There was little enthusiasm from council to retain it. What will a large retail grocer mean for Wellburns? Not determined what kind of retail will go in.
Other questions need to be asked of council: since the highway access bylaw was recently changed, why can't traffic
Carole James, MLAVictoria-Beacon Hill
1084 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8V [email protected]
come off Pandora? How will traffic coming off Vancouver onto Mason affect the north-south cycling corridor and greenway along Vancouver? What kind of covenants can be applied to keep the developer to commitments made?
How does this plan differ from the September 2014 plan? No changes as of yet. The dialogue is just starting.
Mark Kopinya wants feedback and intends to hold more open houses. He noted that the process could take some months before going to public hearing. Check npna.ca for next steps in community consultation on this significant development in our neighbourhood.
Neighbourhood Information MeetingTuesday, May 26, 20151:00pm - 3:00pm and5:00pm - 7:00pm1002 Pandora AvenueFormer St. Andrew’s Elementary Schoolwww.blueskyproperties.ca/projects/bluesky-victoria
NORTH PARK VILLAGE NEWS . JUNE 2015 . PAGE 4
How to Plant a Boulevard GardenAre you interested in gardening on your boulevard? Here are a few things to consider.
What is a boulevard garden?
Generally boulevards are the grassy strip of land between a property and the street that are owned by the City. The majority of boulevards have grass and trees between the sidewalk and the curb.Boulevard gardens can create beautiful, interesting and diverse streets, add character to neighbourhoods and increase feelings of community pride. Theycan also increase ecological diversity and provide bird, butterfly and pollinator habitats.
Who can create a boulevard garden?Property owners can transform the boulevard immediately adjacent to their property into well-designed and well-maintained gardens. They can also invite tenants or other groups to garden in this space.
What gardeners should consider:
The safety, accessibility, maintenance, and aesthetic elements related to the project.
How to create a garden that would make you and your neighbours proud.
The quality of the soil, the cost of watering, and the appearance of the boulevard in all seasons.What to do first:
1. Review the Interim Boulevard Gardening Guidelines: Specific guidelines apply in relation to safety, sight lines, access to the boulevard, tree health, plant size, garden maintenance, temporary structures, soil contamination, and community consultations, among other topics. They are available at www.victoria.ca/boulevards .
2. Call before you dig: Call BC One Call at 1.800.474.6886 to check to see if there are any utility lines under your boulevard. Also call the Engineering and Public Works Department at 250.361.0313 to see if there are sewer, stormwater or water lines in your area.
3. Dig with care: Use hand tools only and follow the directions from the utility companies regarding where and how deep you can dig.
The North Park Gardener: Boulevard Gardensby Melinda Jolley, Citizen Engagement Co-ordinator and strategic Planning, City of Victoria
Spring is Here and We're Ready toGarden with You!
Our Downtown Edible Nursery at Mason Street Farm is officially open and we wanna celebrate! That's right, you can now buy an array of ecologically grown annual & perennial vegetable starts, herbs and flowers at our farm site at 1015 Balmoral Road, every week from Wednesday to Friday 9 am to 7 pm. We're talking artichokes, strawberries, broccoli, greens of all kinds, fennel, thyme, cilantro and tomatoes! Tomatoes! TOMATOES!!!