Hundreds of workers may be moving from Victoria to Central Saanich
An economic boost could be coming to the relatively small community of Central Saanich.
Hundreds of workers may be migrating to Central Saanich from Victoria as a subcontractor for the B.C. government closes down its office in downtown Victoria.
The workers will be coming to a new office building on Keating Cross Road, though the exact number of employees has not been announced.
"Maybe as many as 500 employees coming out to the peninsula on a regular basis," said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor.
The news has been welcomed by local businesses, like Category 12 Brewing.
"My first reaction was excitement and pleasure," said Category 12 owner Karen Kuzyk.
The mayor says it's just the beginning of some long-term growth for Central Saanich.
"We're obviously, in some ways, into a 20 to 25 year plan," said Windsor.
A municipal study found that Keating Cross Road has room for 3,500 new workers over the next two decades.
A new overpass is also coming to the intersection of the Pat Bay Highway and Keating Cross Road, along with new road paving and rapid public transit.
"There's a lot of businesses on Keating Cross Road that are willing and able to absorb that," said Kuzyk.
Category 12 isn't the only business that's excited.
Adriana Ramirez, owner of Adriana's The Whole Enchilada, says she's excited about the prospect of more workers coming to the area.
"It makes me feel really, really good that I have to do a whole lot of burritos and enchiladas," she said.
With a mix of industrial operations and commercial businesses on the main strip of Keating Cross Road, bars and restaurants took a big hit during the pandemic, with many usual customers working from home.
But now it appears that business is on the upswing and it's welcome news for the community.
"It's concrete proof that there's growth in the right direction," said Kuzyk.
"The economy is growing, things are happening, people are getting back and it's good to be together," she said.
The mayor says the new provincial sub-contractor has been holding the office space since December, although it's unclear when it will move in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.