CENTRAL SAANICH
Central Saanich receives funds for school zone improvements

During the development of Central Saanich's recent Active Transportation Plan, the community identified school routes as a priority with two locations in particular high on the list: the crossing area on Central Saanich Road to Keating Elementary and the intersection at Wallace Drive and Marchant, which is a route travelled to both Bayside Middle School and Brentwood Elementary.

Thanks to a $500,000 grant from the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program, the improvements will be completed before the first bell of the school year next September. In total, the projects are expected to cost $890,000, with $390,000 earmarked from the municipality's coffers in Central Saanich's Draft 2022 Financial Plan.

The proposed work includes the construction of new crosswalks with flashing lights, as well as several hundred metres of sidewalk extensions.

 "Walking and cycling to school should be a safe experience for children and their families," says Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. "We are grateful to the Province of British Columbia for recognizing the importance of these upgrades for the school communities, and our wider community."

"Installing infrastructure is quite expensive and financing our Active Transportation Plan is going to require a multi-faceted approach. Contributions such as this really make all the difference for a community like ours with a modest tax base."

More information on the District of Central Saanich's active transportation work is available at CentralSaanich.ca/ActiveTransportation .