'Going to find a new location': Westshore Speedway promises relocation as site redevelopment begins
In Langford, work has begun on a quarter-billion-dollar project, creating what will be known as Langford Heights.
"Overall, when fully built out, we’re hoping to have a million-square-feet of office and industrial space,” said Mike Mackay, president of Strand, a company heading the redevelopment project.
The Mayor of Langford, Stew Young, says the new development could bring 1,000 new jobs to the community. But the most exciting aspect of the project for him is the proposed film studio.
"This looks like a win for Langford if we could get a film studio here with it as well," said Young.
As communities race to build the first film studio in the region, Strand and its partner, Bastion Development Corporation, already operate studios in Vancouver. They say it will be built.
"The intention right now is to proceed with the construction of a film studio on the property," said Mackay. "We’re not looking for, necessarily, a tenant to be in tow before we do that."
'GET BACK TO RACING'
The site has been home to a number of businesses over the years, including a rock crushing operation, water park, mini golf track, and of course, the iconic Western Speedway. The race track now has one season left to operate in its current location under the name Westshore Speedway.
"We’re going to find a new location," said Daryl Crocker, general manager of Western Promotions and Westshore Motorsports Park.
"We’re going to build another one and we’re going to get back to racing," he said. "There’s no two ways about it, we have to do it."
The speedway has been in its current location since 1954.
Strand has committed $2.5 million to help fund the relocation of the speedway to a new location. As of right now, a new location hasn’t been found, but Crocker says he has some good leads.
"I would say it’s looking promising," said Crocker. "All the locations are within 10 or 15 minutes of its current location, so we’re not going far."
DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS
Jason Nault lives in the area at the foot of Bear Mountain.
"My wife’s drive from here to the highway turned from five to 15 minutes," said Nault.
Neighbours living in the area seem to support the project, but there are concerns about increased traffic congestion.
"We definitely need more roads out here if they want to keep on building," said Nault.
The mayor says work is already underway, with widening construction taking place on Millstream Road, which will see increased traffic.
"There are plans to widen the road and obviously we’re looking at road improvements all the way along Millstream," said Young. "Work is getting done there right now."
Seven acres of land has been set aside for Langford Parks. Young says construction of new soccer and baseball fields are being looked at, as well as a much needed lacrosse box.
Fifty residential homes will also be built within the project bounds that is expected to be completed within the next five to six years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Bob Cole, veteran CBC broadcaster and former voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada,' dead at 90
Bob Cole, legendary CBC broadcaster and former voice of Hockey Night in Canada, has died. He was 90.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
New deep-water channel allows first ship to pass Key bridge wreckage in Baltimore
The first cargo ship passed through a newly opened deep-water channel in Baltimore on Thursday after being stuck in the harbor since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed four weeks ago, halting most maritime traffic through the city's port.