The Capital Regional District has added almost 150 hectares of parkland, including 81 hectares of forested land just south of Pike Lake, near Thetis Lake and Francis/ King regional parks.
The property was purchased for $5.5 million, and includes lands that drain into salmon-bearing Craigflower Creek, as well as sections of old-growth and second-growth forest.
The purchase comes with options to purchase more land near Pike Lake.
CRD director and View Royal Mayor David Screech applauded the acquisition, saying it was the result of “a very long, complicated negotiation” with a private landholder.
“That’s a really significant announcement for View Royal and for the region and for Thetis Lake Park,” he said. “Admittedly we’re not getting the lakefront yet, but over time, the deal is structured so that Pike Lake will become part of Thetis Lake Park.”
Also approved by the CRD board was the $1-million acquisition of a 68-hectare parcel linking the Sea to Sea and Sooke Hills Wilderness regional parks. The land is inside the Jack Lake/Waugh Creek watershed and is the final link in creating a continuous protected route — important to wildlife — between Crabapple Lake and Jack Lake.
The purchases were made through the CRD’s Land Acquisition Fund, which was established in 2000 to acquire land for parks and trails. Residential households in the CRD pay an average of $20 per year to the fund.
More than 4,200 hectares of land with a value of more than $58.7 million has been acquired through the fund since its creation, said Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt, who chairs the CRD parks and environment committee. As a result, the regional park system has grown to 13,000 hectares.
With the purchases, the Land Acquisition Fund has a balance of $2.8 million, with about $3.6 million set to be added through this year’s levy in August. The fund expires at the end of the year, with renewal discussions expected to begin soon.
