Friday, November 4, 2022 – Today, the District moved the sandbag station from the Parks Yard to the parking lot at Ed Macgregor Park at 6751 West Coast Road to make the station more accessible for residents.
The station is self-serve, open 24 hours a day – seven days a week, with sand and bags provided by the District and Emergency Management British Columbia. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels to fill the bags and are encouraged to take only enough to meet their needs so that supplies are available for others.
Historically, the station has been set up intermittently during weather events at the Parks Yard on Kaltasin Road. This yard location limits access and requires additional staffing which increases the costs to operate the station.
“With the changing climate and greater need for a sandbag station, combined with continually increasing cost pressures, the District is always looking at how to improve service without added expenses to our taxpayers,” said Mayor Maja Tait.
The District will monitor the use of the station in its new location through the coming months to address any issues before determining if the move will be permanent.
Community Contact:
District of Sooke Reception
Tel: 250.642.1634
Media Contact:
Christina Moog, District of Sooke Communications Coordinator
District of Sooke
Tel: (250) 642-5422
Email: cmoog@sooke.ca
Frequently Asked Questions (& Answers)
Parks staff will monitor the inventory of sand and bags during routine inspections that occur each week. During weather events, additional supplies will be made available. Please take only enough to meet your needs so that supplies are available for others.
The success of this pilot requires residents and District operations to work together in the best interest of the community. We welcome your feedback. Please call the District of Sooke municipal hall reception at 250.642.1634 to discuss this further.
The station will be set up to minimize disruption to parking.
With existing events and activities occurring at the fire station and municipal hall, accommodating another use may impact the critical access required at all times for the fire station. For this reason, an alternative location is being trialled.