Update 2007

Royal Bay is a burgeoning community on Victoria’s Westshore that will ultimately be home to 7,000 people in 2,800 new residences. Progress on detailed planning and development continued throughout 2006 and by year end there were 300 homes in the Hatley, Delora, The Woods and The Bluffs neighbourhoods.

Developing the Perimeter Pathway

Encircling Royal Bay is the Perimeter Pathway - a greenway incorporating a recreational trail system - which will ultimately extend about seven kilometres along the entire waterfront and link to Latoria Creek and Murray's Pond parks. A new 3.4 hectare section of the pathway, located above the proposed secondary school site, was opened in summer 2006. This multi-use, lighted, concrete pathway provides spectacular views to downtown Victoria and the Olympic Mountains.

Secondary School and Community Recreation Site

A large school and recreation site has been part of the Royal Bay plan since its inception. In November 2006 both Lehigh Cement Ltd. (Royal Bay Development Limited) and the Sooke School District signed a purchase and sale agreement for 6.3 hectares of land to accommodate the new school to serve the Westshore area.

To enable the joint development of the secondary school and the community recreation area, Lehigh Cement Ltd. will transfer an additional 1.10 hectares of land to the City of Colwood.

The site will be accessible via the Perimeter Pathway. Murray’s Pond Park is also nearby making the entire greenspace in and around the property about 13.5 hectares.

The school site will be fully serviced by Lehigh Cement Ltd. including a new access road. Reclamation work has already started and the School District hopes to open the school in the fall of 2009.

Latoria Creek Park

In late 2005 Lehigh Cement Ltd. transferred a 12-hectare park to the City of Colwood. Lying mainly within a v-shaped bedrock fault isolated by decades of mining, Latoria Creek Park offers a distinct and special environment. This local ecosystem is protected by a number of “pedestrian only” trails connected by bridges and stairs throughout the park. A designated trail for bicycle use is planned.

New Homes in Royal Bay 2007

Lehigh Cement Ltd. has sold most of the residential lots to 12 local builders to construct the homes in the project. Eleven lots in “The Woods” (Phases 2 and 3) are being marketed separately through Pemberton Holmes (contact Terri Foster at 250.384.8124).

The Woods

Phase One

• includes detached homes and townhouses.

Phase Two

• predominantly detached homes completed along Promenade Crescent
• a 38-unit townhome development site adjacent to Murray’s Pond has been sold; construction to begin in 2007.

Phase Three

• servicing of lots completed; new homes to be developed in 2007

The Bluffs

• 20 detached homes completed on Pelican Drive
• an additional 18 homes are under construction
• “The Lookout”, a 30-unit townhome development started with expected completion in 2007
• servicing for the balance of the neighbourhood will continue into 2007
• an additional 39 homes will be developed in this neighbourhood

Adjustments to the Plan

To enable the existing mine to continue to operate until its planned closure at the end of 2007, a change to the original Royal Bay plan was approved by the City of Colwood. Nine lots and Royal Bay Drive access to Metchosin Road have been removed and replaced with parkland. This new greenspace expands the proposed neighbourhood park and Perimeter Pathway in this area from 3.6 to 3.8 hectares.

“The Terraces” 2007

Reclamation and servicing should start on “The Terraces” in 2007. This next neighbourhood includes the secondary school site, residential areas and parklands which incorporate water features and trail connections. The development of “The Terraces” will also include construction of the new Latoria Boulevard, linking it directly to the Village Centre via an intersection with Metchosin Road. In 2008, there will be detached homes and townhouses for sale in this area.

Mine Closure and Reclamation

Mining in the gravel pit is scheduled to conclude at the end of 200 after 100 years of operation. The reclamation process has already begun and will continue for a number of years:

• a topsoil manufacturing operation is in place, in which existing material is mixed with imported bio-solids
• regrading is in progress
• former settlement ponds are being reclaimed.

As part of reclamation, trees will eventually be planted, particularly along the new Latoria Boulevard, which connects the Village Centre to the rest of Royal Bay and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

For information on current developments underway in Royal Bay, please return to the Royal Bay home page. For a printable version of this update please select: Royal Bay Update March 2007.