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
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
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.
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.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.