Background

The Greater Victoria School District has entered into an agreement to potentially sell 1.9 acres of land south of Lansdowne Middle School to the Victoria Hospice Society for $2.5 million. The triangular-shaped property is adjacent to the south campus of Lansdowne Middle School, formerly Richmond Elementary School.

The land sale is subject to approval by the Ministry of Education and three readings of a disposal bylaw by the Greater Victoria School Board. If approved, the property would be used as a new Centre of Excellence for Victoria Hospice, with space for expanded services including grief support, community education, and practical programs for people on their end-of-life journey – from those diagnosed with a life-limiting illness to those who are bereaved.

For over 40 years, Victoria Hospice has provided quality end-of-life care for people in Greater Victoria.

“The demand for end-of-life care programs and services is growing,” says Kevin Harter, CEO. “Victoria Hospice must adapt and expand to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our community. This agreement with SD61 is an important step in realizing our goals.”

The proceeds from the sale of the surplus lands will provide funding to renovate and replace existing Greater Victoria schools, including advancing net-zero energy buildings and other energy-efficient strategies: key components of the District’s approved climate action resolution.

“We will be pleased if this land can be utilized for greater community benefit while flowing dollars directly back into improving our facilities for students and staff,” said Ann Whiteaker, Board Chair. “The District needs to make significant capital investments to minimize our environmental impact. Over the short term and long term, we have schools that will require significant upgrades—and we need to start allocating dollars now to fund carbon neutral schools.”

If approved by the Ministry of Education and the Board, the Victoria Hospice Society would then commence the land-use approval and corresponding public engagement processes required by the District of Saanich to advance its plans for the property.

Community Engagement

ENGAGEMENT TIMELINE

• Raising Awareness – October 14 to November 3, 2021
• Online Information Session (Q & A – Open Dialogue) – November 3, 2021
• Collect written submissions from the public – Feedback period closes on November 24, 2021
• What We Heard Summary Report to the Board – December 2021
• Board Meeting to consider land disposal – December 13, 2021

ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION

Public engagement launched with an online information session on November 3, 2021. The information session provided an overview of the proposed land disposition, projected student enrolment, what the revenue will be used for, any potential District impacts, and Victoria Hospice Society’s proposed plans for the site.

The information session included a question and answer period and was recorded for all members of the public to view. Please see below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VM9mNCVCo

SHARE YOUR INPUT 

The District is asking members of the community to share their input on the proposed land sale to help inform the Board of Education’s decision-making. Feedback is invited through email via community@sd61.bc.ca until November 24, 2021. All feedback collected through the community inbox will be compiled and shared with the public and the Board of Education in December 2021 to help inform their decision-making.

Additional Resources

Public Information Session Presentation – November 3, 2021
Victoria Hospice Society Update – October 14, 2021
SD61/ VHS Joint Media Release – October 14, 2021
Board Approved Motions – March 12, 2018 – Bowker Creek 
Presentations to the Board – March 2018 – Bowker Creek
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Richmond Property Plan
SD61 Feeder School Projections
Bowker Creek Initiative Presentation – December 8, 2021
Summary Engagement Report – December 8, 2021
Media Release – Special Board Meeting on Proposed Land Disposal – February 16, 2022
Letter to Board Chair from Victoria Hospice Society – February 18, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – March 7, 2022
Victoria Hospice Society – Proposal for the Site