Victoria, BC– CRD Regional Parks is in the process of replacing the existing washroom building at Hamsterly Beach. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is our most visited park in the system with over 1.7 million visits in 2020.
As part of the project planning, CRD Regional Parks completed an extensive environmental impact assessment and environmental protection measures have been incorporated into the facility design to minimize potential disturbance. All available site options in the vicinity were considered and the most appropriate location is to construct the new building in the same location as the existing facility.
CRD worked with a certified arborist and engineers to site the new facility in the optimal location that minimizes the number of trees that need to be removed. CRD has worked through all the required permitting process with District of Saanich, including a review through Saanich Parks to ensure compliance with Saanich’s Tree Protection Bylaw. The application for tree removals has been reviewed with minimizing tree loss and impacts in mind. The application currently proposes to remove seven trees to accommodate the new facility and to address two additional hazard trees in the area. There are up to seven additional trees identified as “to be determined”, which is a practice to allow the project arborist to attempt to retain trees in the field so long as tree health and safety are not compromised.
The vast majority of trees near the project will be retained because of the location chosen and site modifications made. As part of the project mitigation, and to address the requirements of the Tree Protection Bylaw, CRD Parks will plant a minimum of 16 native replacement trees.
In 2020, visitation levels to regional parks rose 25%. CRD Regional Parks faces challenges to achieve service levels required for protecting and restoring regional park values, while offering compatible outdoor recreation opportunities as visitation levels continue to rise. The size and complexity of the parks and park issues have grown requiring new services to effectively manage the park system and to meet the service levels required to deliver the CRD Regional Park mandate and CRD Board directions. New washroom facilities were required to meet visitation levels and demands.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492