Carey Area Residents Association

08/26/2026

Recently, we wondered why Saanich erected "A development is proposed for your neighborhood" signs at Panama Flats. (Or at least that was highlighted, not the rezoning to a natural park state). We also noticed that the map on the sign shows street rights of way on the Panama Hill end. We had questions. Time to call Saanich Planning!

Phil was helpful - explained that the sign was a standard template, although he agreed that it could be misinterpreted by those who haven't followed the Panama Flats saga closely. Also, the street rights of way and parcel boundaries that existed when Saanich acquired the land remain, although there is no by Saanich intent to develop the land for housing. Apparently this shows up in other parks, but not to the extent as in Panama Hill and Flats, given its size and history. Removing the street rights of way from the map shown on the sign would have been difficult / time-consuming according to the GIS people, so they remain on the sign.

And, if you didn't know, there have long been plans for residential development in Panama Hill / Flats. Check out this 1948 map from Saanich Archives. We've crudely marked it up to highlight Interurban, Marigold, Grange, and Roy. There are many streets and lots shown which (thankfully) didn't happen. But, given such plans, seeing "development is proposed" signs in Panama Flats makes us take notice!

08/13/2026

After a very successful Music in the Park last week, here is an opportunity to get a different and nature- focused perspective on Hyacinth Park, courtesy of Saanich Parks, Recreation & Community Services. Apologies for the short notice!

Park Naturalist Pop-up and Nature Walk at Hyacinth Park

https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/news-events/events-list/saanich-community-events/park-naturalist-pop-up-and-nature-walk-at-hyacinth-park.html

Date & Time: TOMORROW ! August 14, 2026 (9:00 am - 11:00 am)

There will be an info booth or you can register for a nature walk at at bit.ly/4e4YhES or saanich.ca/register [Note: it doesn't seem that online registration is a requirement - it's free and it's hard to envision a limit on the number of participants!]

Walks leave from the playground area (off Hyacinth) at 9:30am and last one hour.

We assume the info booth is also at the Hyacinth end but that isn't clear from the map provided. Parking, if you need it, might be better at the Marigold end of the park by the ballfields.

08/05/2026

Last night's Music in the Park at Hyacinth Park was a lot of fun. Perfect weather, great music from Groove Diggers and Daniel Lapp and his youth fiddle orchestra, lots of good food and vendors, and some bonus quick views of the Snowbirds as they came and went from their show near Ogden Point. Always great to see Saanich Fire and Saanich Police participate at MITP.

Thanks to District of Saanich for doing so much of the groundwork.

Best of all, thanks to all of you who came and had a good time, whether you were up dancing or just relaxing and enjoying the evening. Can't wait for next year!!

08/04/2026

You can see the Snowbirds from 5-6 and still enjoy Music in the Park in Hyacinth Park - from 6-8 tonight. Hope to see you after the Snowbirds performance!
We'll have good music, food, vendors... and be sure to stop by the CARA table and say hi!!

Just a quick reminder about the Snowbirds air show happening on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Start time is 5pm.

Get there early as it's expected there will be 20 to 30 thousand people on Dallas Rd from Ogden Point to Clover Point, and on the grassy hill at Beacon Hill Park. Don't forget to bring a chair, water, snacks and some ear protection.

Parking restrictions on Dallas will begin at Noon, and some roads in James Bay will be closed at 3pm. Sections of Dallas, Cook, Douglas and Memorial will be barricaded until 6pm.

Not to mention, cars will likely be bumper-to-bumper getting in and out of the neighbourhood. The City encourages anyone going to walk, cycle or take public transit. For those driving - remember to leave lots of time to get in to the area and then out again.

Check detailed information on road closures at https://engagement.vicpd.ca/traffic-advisory-road-closures-and-safety-measures-for-canadian-forces-snowbirds-airshow/

08/04/2026

Seen along the Panama Flats trail this morning.

Saanich, "A development is proposed for your neighborhood" seems like an inappropriate heading for Panama Flats rezoning as a nature park, especially in these times.

08/04/2026

A reminder for those of you who travel Interurban between Camosun and the intersection with Wilkinson and Hastings. Can't say it better than what the sign does. https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/victoria-saanich-cable.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=redirect&utm_content=victoriatosaanich

07/22/2026

Carey Area residents take note:

BC Hydro to resume preparations for cable replacement under Interurban beginning in August

https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2026/victoria-saanich-cable-upgrade.html

Hydro is replacing a main and aging cable connecting the Goward substation near Camosun-Interurban and the Horsey substation in Victoria near Mayfair.

The intent of this initial work is to finalize design and placement of the new cable prior to construction. Crews will remove small sections of pavement, locate utilities and assess ground conditions, restore the work areas, and continue onward. 100 inspections are planned

Hydro plans to work along Interurban between Camosun and Wilkinson in August; and between Wilkinson and Burnside in September.

Based on what we remember from similar work done in the recent past (2-4 years ago?) this stage of work was not too disruptive to traffic flow… but some will be done after people are back from holidays and school and classes at Camosun have resumed. And it will involve the 5-way intersection (you know what we mean) so effects on traffic flow are hard to predict.
🚗🚙🚗🚙🚑🚗🚙🚗🚗🚛😧
So, plan for the worst-case and hope for the best!! Recognizing this, Hydro will do some work at night to minimize traffic disruptions.

The bigger disruption will likely come from cable replacement – this could begin as early as summer 2027 and will take roughly 3 years. Inconvenient maybe, but necessary before it fails!!

We’ll keep you posted as the project develops.

BC Hydro will begin pre-construction investigations Aug. 4 for the Victoria-Saanich cable replacement project, supporting reliable power service in Greater Victoria.

07/22/2026

Music in the Park at Hyacinth Park only TWO weeks away!!

In case you missed our earlier posts, it's Tuesday August 4

Music by Groove Diggers, with special intermission guests Daniel Lapp and the Youth Fiddle Orchestra

Concessions include: Greek on the Street, Kattia's Kitchen, Mr. Softies and the Hyacinth Park concession stand

Bring your dancing shoes and prepare to bust your best moves! 🕺

Or just enjoy the music, food, displays, seeing your neighbors, and general community vibe!! Check out Saanich Fire's "new" vintage truck 🚒

And visit the CARA table - we'd love to meet you, find out what issues you think are important in Carey Area and if there are some special talents you could bring to CARA!!

07/10/2026

And one more little update...

On June 24, Saanich Planning requested that the CARA Board weigh in on the proposed rezoning of Panama Flats, Panama Hill and the associated part of Colquitz Park to a combination of P4N and P5.

We're asked if we (1) support (2) object or (3) have no position and to supply any additional comments by July 21.

We (the board) support the proposed rezoning. The process is now in "internal referrals". Stay tuned!

07/10/2026

Are Saanich Police doing a good job?👮👮‍♀️🚓🚔

Saanich Police are currently conducting their 2026 Community Survey. It's an easy opportunity for you to indicate whether you feel safe, how your experiences with Saanich Police have been, and what priorities you would like to see.

Survey is open through July 20, so you have 10 days! (But don't worry, it doesn't take that long to fill out - more like 5-10 minutes). Here's the link:

https://saanichpolice.ca/community-programs/2026-community-survey/

We've asked Saanich Police if there are summary crime / incident data that are publicly available by area, for example Carey Area. Apparently not (yet). We'd like to know how we are doing in Carey Area (and other neighborhoods) with respect to crime, traffic incidents and other aspects of public safety...and what we might do as residents to make the neighborhood even safer.

2026 Community Survey The Saanich Police Department is inviting members of the public to participate in its 2026 Community Survey, which has been launched to help shape the future of policing services in Vancouver Island’s largest municipality.This survey is an opportunity for the Saanich Police D...