Louise Beinhauer has lived near the Interburban campus of Camosun College for over 40 years and has watched it grow around her.
She said she enjoys some of the amenities that have come along with that, but she’s concerned about plans for a film studio on a proposed campus site.
“I’m happy to see the educational use,” she said of the studio idea. “I think most of us are happy about that because we’ve watched this campus over the years and it’s really nice as neighbours to have the track here and the park and all that.”
Beinhauer said that increased traffic is her biggest concern about the proposal, especially on already-busy Interurban Road.
She was at an open house next to the site Wednesday, arranged by Saanich. It followed the provincial government putting out a request for expressions of interest in the project about a week ago.
“It’s something that’s been vetted by the province, vetted by the Camosun board of directors,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. “Saanich hasn’t played a role in any of that yet.”
The concept for a studio has been looked at for the past few years, he said. The parcel that would be used is adjacent to the track and includes land leased by the province, along with a field.
Adrienne Radford, who lives next to the property, said she is afraid there will end up being a wall just outside her window. She said there is already a problem with people from the college parking their vehicles on neighbourhood streets in residential-only spaces.
“I think the project is a wonderful idea,” she said. “I’m just not convinced this is the right site for it. It’s too close to a residential area, and between the traffic and the size of it — I’m not hearing anything that’s alleviating those concerns.”
The college said it is aware of the concerns being expressed and has been gathering public input.
The proposal has already received $150,000 in provincial funding that has been used to establish a feasibility and economic study, Haynes said.
“It can’t happen until there’s an official proponent with a budget and a vision that meets the criteria.”
The estimated cost is about $40 million.
The current plan calls for 10,000 square feet of academic space on the property, which covers about 2.5 hectares, Haynes said.
The idea for the project is to increase opportunities for students with an on-campus film studio and other buildings that could be used by local and international film crews.
Educational options tied to the project could include carpentry and electrical training, and diploma and certificate programs in areas such as digital animation.
