A group of Sooke residents is working to prevent a long-time green space in the town centre from being rezoned for commercial use.
The 0.4-acre parcel on Murray Road has been known as Lions Park for many years and is the last grassy area in the vicinity, said Helen Ritts, a director with the Friends of Sooke Parks Society.
Located near the corner of Sooke Road and West Coast Road, it has residences on one side and small businesses on the other.
Park neighbours maintain it and keep the grass mowed, Ritts said.
The land has been owned by the Sooke Lions Club since 1964 and had a popular playground until about 10 years ago, she said.
Club member Steve Wright said the playground had to be removed because of problems with vandalism.
He said the club has a prospective buyer for the land, the Sea to Tree Health & Wellness Centre, which is looking to open a counselling business there.
Wright dismissed rumours that a large tree on the property will be removed — a 200-plus-year-old Sitka spruce dubbed Bruce the Spruce by park supporters.
“The tree will not be cut down, and as a matter of fact, there will be a covenant on the property that the tree will never be cut down.”
Wright said the profit from selling the land would benefit Sooke.
“We take that money and we put it back into our community.”
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the Sooke Lions’ rezoning request will be subject of a public hearing on Tuesday, being held in conjunction with a 6 p.m. council meeting.
“It’s been a park for a while, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Ritts said the intent is not to speak out against the Sooke Lions, but to maintain the property’s existing designation as a park, including in the Official Community Plan.
She said park supporters would like the district to consider buying the land, just as Victoria and Sidney have done to secure green space in their urban cores.
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