parks & Rec

Noah is a second term SEAPARC commissioner, currently serving as vice chair. in this volunteer position he played a role in the development of SEAPARC’s recently published strategic plan, as well as the renewal of the Sooke Sk8 Park. He is committed to enabling planning for our growing district’s needs in terms of amenities, infrastructure,  and community programming.

In his role at SEAPARC, He sees clearly the need to coordinate the goals of that organization, the district, and important non government groups such as the Sooke Community Association, Sooke Fine Arts Society, the Sooke Region Historical Society and the various service clubs like the Lions clubs and Rotary so they can all work together to provide value to our community.

This includes fair and accountable funding to support the facilities that provide a benefit for the community as a whole, and particularly youth. Fred Milne Field and Art Morris Park are critical recreation infrastructure. The Sooke Community Association and their volunteers have been fine stewards of these facilities for decades at a considerable savings compared to a taxpayer funded operation such as SEAPARC. However, asset management costs and calls for expansion or upgrades while still managing affordability for user groups is proving to be a challenge. Noah is eager to see solid community service agreements in place with the district to ensure these facilities have certainty for years to come.

Speaking of SEAPARC, Noah points out that SEAPARC's requisition (the shortfall between their revenue and costs that is covered by taxpayers) comes out of the CRD portion of property taxes for both the District of Sooke and the Juan De Fuca Electoral Area, with Sooke taxpayers providing the majority of those funds. As Sooke continues to grow while the JDF EA "keeps it rural", that percentage could increase to a point where the District may consider "devolution" - a process where ownership and operation of SEAPARC is transferred from the CRD to the District of Sooke, putting final decision making in the hands of our local government rather than the CRD board. Such a process would require careful consideration both the capacity of the district to administer these operations and of the implications for Sooke's accumulated surplus, annual revenue, and capital liability.

Council should always be open to exploring opportunities to acquire land for parks - especially in our town core. 6755 Horne Road is an excellent example: A little under 1 hectare, this treed waterfront development lot sits adjacent to Ed Macgregor park and, if purchased by the district and added to the park, this property currently listed for $1.049 million would roughly double its size and provide lasting official access from Horne rd. It may prove too late for this particular property, but opportunities such as this will arise from time to time and council must plan ahead and be prepared if we are to take advantage of them.

Noah was pleased to see this summer the Friends of Eagle Bluffs Forest Society present their case to council to turn the 33 acre waterfront forest property on Deerlepe Rd into a nature park. Literally "Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea", this vital habitat and unique wildlife corridor, with the kelp forest offshore, is a unique and irreplaceable example of the rich and diverse temperate rainforest ecosystem. It is encouraging to see citizens independently get together and rally for such a worthy cause and once on council Noah would like to support their efforts to build partnerships towards their goal. He also notes the opportunities for study and possible collaboration with post secondary institutions with a focus on ecological preservation would be interesting to explore.