Sooke News Mirror, March 23, 2016

SOOKE IS SELLING!

2016 SookeHome Sales: 95

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Mail Agreement #40110541

INDEX NEWS SPORTSNews 3Opinion 8Arts 30

New aesthetics are on their way to the towns core, but a roundabout art centerpiece is not one of them. At least, not anytime soon.

Page 3

A change of hands and a new outlook at basketball programs in Sooke could mean big things for Edward Milne Community School athletes.

Page 27

Kevin LairdSooke News Mirror

As some Greater Victoria cities inch closer to a solution to the regional sewage treatment question, Sooke, with tertiary treatment already in place, watches carefully.

The reason? Sooke produces about 170 tonnes of sewage sludge every year, with all of it transported to the Hartland landfill in Saanich. The cost to the municipality is about $20,000 annually.

After years of studies, public consultation and debate, CRD directors decided to build two tertiary-treatment plants as the best option for mov-ing forward with the troubled mega project. (Tertiary treatment refers to cleaning sewage to a point that becomes usable water.)

That move could open the door to a better way to dispose of sewage sludge then having it trucked to a landfill, if the CRD directors approve a plan for resource recovery.

The sludge is sent to Hartland as a special waste, but its only happening because there is no other method of disposing of it. Its almost been done

on an emergency-type basis, said acting mayor Rick Kasper, who repre-sents Sooke on the CRD board.

Recently, the CRD board struck a subcommittee to look at options of dealing with the sludge and how it can be disposed of in a more environ-mentally friendly way. Treated sewage sludge is used in forestry, agricul-ture, land reclamation, composting and as an energy source.

Sooke is not the only community looking at source recovery for sludge. North Saanich shares a sewage treatment facility with Central Saanich, Sid-ney and the Psatsartilt First Nation, while Port Renfrew operates a system for 80 people.

The sludge issue must be straightened out eventually. Its the other part of the puzzle, said Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks.

When they [the CRD] talk about treating biosolids theyre not just talk-ing about their own, theyre talking about Sookes too. Were not totally out of this. It does affect us.

The CRD board referred the disposal of sewage sludge back to staff to look at cost implications. A March 31 deadline looms for federal funding on regional sewage treatment.

Pirjo Raits/Sooke News Mirror

Spring feverCash and his friend Lucas revelled on the swings thanks to the welcome warm weather and sunshine of spring during their second week of Spring Break. Classes start up again on Wednesday, March 30 all across most B.C. school districts, including Sooke School District 62.

Sewage series starts this weekThe Sooke News Mirror, along with other Black Press community newspapers in Greater Victoria has launched a two-part series on the Capital Regional Districts ongoing sewage dilemma. Our team of veteran journalists will examine every angle of the CRD sewage story including the location debate, the science and success in other cities.

See page B1

SOOKE EYES TERTIARY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT IN EFFORT TO REDUCE SLUDGE It could be a better way to dispose of sludge instead of trucking it, say CRD directors

C O M M U N I T Y N E W S M E D I A

Black Press

A2 I NEWS I SOOKENEWSMIRROR.COM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 2016

Publisher: Rod Sluggett publisher@sookenewsmirror.comEditor: Kevin Laird editor@sookenewsmirror.comReporter: Octavian Lacatusu news@sookenewsmirror.comAdvertising: Kel Phair sales@sookenewsmirror.comCirculation: circulation@sookenewsmirror.comClassifieds: Vicky Sluggett classifieds@sookenewsmirror.comOffice Manager: Deb Stolth office@sookenewsmirror.com

How to reach us 250.642.5752 fax: 250.642.4767office@sookenewsmirror.com

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Small fire temporarily shuts down Sooke A&W

Sooke Fire and Rescue responded to the A&W restaurant in Sooke after a bun warmer caught fire.

The fire was put out by restaurant staff using a fire extinguisher before fire crews arrived at the scene.

No one was injured.According to

Sooke Fire Chief Steven Sorensen, the restaurant sustained no fire damage, however the fire extinguisher caused minor damage in the affected spot.

Log house burns down in Whiffen Spit

Friday evening became a long night for Sooke Fire and Rescue, Metchosin and Otter Point firefighters as they battled the flames of after a log house on McMillan Road in Whiffen Spit.

The building, which was vacant for several years, was entirely engulfed in flames at the time fire crews arrived, said Sooke Fire Chief Steven Sorensen.

There was fire coming out the roof, out every window and door, and its been burning for some time, he said, adding that the fire, which started around 8:30 p.m., took at least two hours to bring under control.

Last fire crew were at the site until midnight.

This was the second time this log house caught fire, the last time being in

November 2009, noted Sorensen. No one has been living in it since.

Exact cause of the fire remains unknown, though local authorities suspect foul play.

Sorensen said it was fortunate the fire occurred while everything is still cold and wet around.

Were just lucky it wasnt during the summer, because sparks were going everywhere.

Want to see your shot featured as a Reader Photo of the Week?

Were seeking shots that grab our attention for their creativity, impact, humour or beauty, taken in the Sooke region. They can be of people, nature or the urban environment. Email your submissions to editor@sookenewsmirror.com.

Reader Photo of the WeekEmily Zschau captured this picture near Sunriver. Readers Photo of the Week is sponsored by the Stickleback West Coast Eatery.

Publisher: Rod Sluggett publisher@sookenewsmirror.comEditor: Kevin Laird editor@sookenewsmirror.comReporter: Octavian Lacatusu news@sookenewsmirror.comAdvertising: Kel Phair sales@sookenewsmirror.comCirculation: circulation@sookenewsmirror.comClassifieds: Vicky Sluggett classifieds@sookenewsmirror.comOffice Manager: Deb Stolth office@sookenewsmirror.com

How to reach us 250.642.5752 fax: 250.642.4767office@sookenewsmirror.com

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 2016 I NEWS I SOOKENEWSMIRROR.COM A3

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Funding restored for Park Watch

District of Sooke council has restored $5,000 in funding to Juan de Fuca Park Watch Society.

Funding was cut to $1,000 last year by council on the recommendation of its grants committee.

The park watch program is run by volunteers from May to September, with a focus on preventing theft from vehicles, break-ins and vandalism.

Last year, volunteer patrollers handed out more than 30,000 brochures.

The program serves parks from Matheson La