METCHOSIN VILLAGE SQUARE PUBLIC SPACE PLANNING

PHASE 1 — PLANNING CONTEXT REPORT APRIL, 2018

Table of Contents

1: Introduction 1 2: Community Profile 2 Key Population Indicators 5 3: Community Engagement 6 Public Survey Findings 6 Stakeholder Discussions 17 Public Events 19 4: Trends and Leading Practices 20 Trends 20 Leading Practices 24 5: Summary of Key Findings 25 6: Preliminary Recommendations and Next Steps 27

Appendices Appendix A: Stakeholder Discussion Participants 29 Appendix B: Stakeholder Discussions — Point Form Notes 30 Appendix C: Display Panel Comments 36

01Introduction

The Metchosin Healthy Communities Advisory Select Committee is exploring the development of a new public space in central Metchosin. To help guide the overall scope of this initiative, the following project vision statement was created.

To build an accessible and attractive public space in central Metchosin where residents can easily gather, be active, and meet new community members of all ages.

To ensure that the potential project was best positioned to reflect the needs and wishes of the community, the Committee recognized the need to conduct further planning and community engagement. Grant funding was successfully achieved through the Active Communities Grant from B.C. Healthy Communities, which has enabled this planning to occur. RC Strategies+PERC, a consulting firm specializing in recreation and community planning, was retained to support the planning work.

Phase 1 of the planning was initiated in late 2017 and focused on research and citizen engagement in order to help clarify needs, benefits and key amenities/components and attributes of the potential space. Contained in this document are the Phase 1 findings along with preliminary recommendations and future considerations. This document is intended to help inform Phase 2 of the planning, which may occur later this year and would include further refinement of the potential space program and the development of conceptual plans.

1 02Community Profile

Metchosin (population 4,708)1 is located a relatively short distance (approximately 20 km) from the urban core of Victoria, but is known for providing a peaceful rural lifestyle with convenient access to the ocean and an array of other natural areas. The District of Metchosin was incorporated in 1984 and the preservation of the local culture, identity and lifestyle remains a key aspects of the local government’s mandate. Other nearby or adjacent western communities include Langford, , Colwood, and the Highlands. The following map illustrates the location of Metchosin within the Capital Region District.

GULF NORTH ISLANDS SAANICH SIDNEY MALAHAT

CENTRAL GREATER SAANICH VICTORIA SAANICH WEST N HIGHLANDS W E SAANICH EAST S VIEW ROYAL

LANGFORD OAK BAY COLWOOD VICTORIA SOOKE METCHOSIN VICTORIA WEST

1 Statistics , 2016 Census of the Population 2 The village core remains the “hub” of Metchosin and encompasses a number of facilities and amenities that provide valuable space for an array of community programs, events and other activities. The following chart and map on the next page provide an overview of publically accessible community sites, spaces and facilities in central Metchosin. .

Site Description Metchosin Municipal Grounds Amenities/facilities on the site: • Equestrian Riding Ring • Cricket Pitch • Bike Jumps • Band Shell/Pavillion • Farmers Market and Pioneer Museum building Old Metchosin School Site Amenities/facilities on the site: • Metchosin Arts & Cultural Centre • Tennis court • Sports fields • Sport courts Metchosin Community Hall Multi-purpose community and social gathering space. Metchosin Community House Multi-purpose program and community space. Metchosin School Museum Heritage school site. Seniors Information Resources Dedicated senior’s activity and resource space.

3 Community Spaces in Central Metchosin

Sports Fields Community Preschool House Tennis Co-op EOC Court Fire Hall Church Museum Cemetery

Market & School Museum Bike Jumps MACCA Hoops Riding Ring SIRC

Public Works Municipal Yard Hall

Band Shell Community Hall

Cricket Pitch Animal & Viewing Field

Public Trail

It is also important to note that a number of other private and public facilities and spaces in Metchosin are important in the provision of recreation, leisure and cultural opportunities. These include privately operated studio spaces, publically accessible community and natural trails, and private property. The District of Metchosin is also a contributor to West Shore Parks and Recreation which provides residents of Metchosin with access to a number of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities.

4 Key Population Indicators1 The following chart provides an overview of historical population counts in Metchosin. As reflected in the chart, the population of Metchosin has generally remained stable with some slight overall decline.

Census Population Growth (%) 2016 4,708 -2.0% 2011 4,803 0.2% 2006 4,795 -1.3%

By comparison, many surrounding western communities are experiencing continued growth. The following chart reflects the growth of these surrounding communities as well as overall figures for the Capital .

Municipality Population (2016) Growth (2011–2016, %) City of Langford 35,342 20.9% City of Colwood 16,859 4.8% of Sooke 13,001 13.7% District Municipality of 2,225 5.0% Highlands Town of View Royal 10,408 10.9% Capital Regional District 383,360 6.5%

Identified below are additional selected population characteristics of Metchosin which may be pertinent to community space needs and demands. • The median age in Metchosin is 51.5 years (~5 years older than the Capital Regional District average). • Overall population distribution by age in Metchosin is generally consistent with overall Capital Regional District averages (see chart below).

Age Category Metchosin CRD Children and Youth (0 to 14 years) 12% 13% Working Age Adults (15 to 64 years) 66% 65% Older Adults (65 years & over) 22% 22% • The median household income in Metchosin is $87,625 (significantly higher than the Capital Regional District average of $69,665). • 8.4% of residents in Metchosin meet Low Income Measure (LIM) thresholds (lower than the Capital Regional District average of 13.3%).

1 Data is from Statistics Canada unless otherwise noted.

5 03Community Engagement

Engagement with residents was a primary focus for Phase 1 of the project. To ensure that a wide array of perspectives and opinions were heard, the consulting team used a number of different engagement methods as summarized in the following chart.

Engagement Method Responses/Participation Public Survey 314 Responses Stakeholder Discussions 45 individuals, representing 18 community organizations Public Events Consulting team attended 3 community events

In addition to further exploring needs, potential benefits, and important considerations for a new public space in central Metchosin, the engagement also provided an opportunity to communicate the current status of planning efforts and set the context for future engagement that may occur as part of Phase 2.

Provided as follows in this section are the findings from the engagement that was conducted as part of Phase 1. Public Survey Findings Survey Overview A public survey was developed and fielded in order to obtain broader resident perspectives on current facility and space usage, future needs/wants and important considerations that should be taken into account if a new public space is developed. Paper copies of the survey were inserted into the Metchosin Muse and an online version of the survey was also made available. In total, 314 surveys were returned.1 The survey findings are presented on the following pages.

1 This response rate results in a margin of error of +/- 5.3%. If the exact same survey was fielded again 20 times, the responses are likely to be within this margin of error 19 times of out 20.

6 Current Facility Use Respondents were asked to identify the types of activities that members of their household participated in over the previous year (12 months). As reflected in the following chart, residents in Metchosin frequently walk/run for leisure purposes. The community also has a high level of event attendance and participation.

Daily Weekly Monthly Annually Never/ Rarely Walk/Run for Leisure 53.1% 35.9% 6.6% 2.1% 2.4% Participate in or Attend a Community Sale 0.7% 9.8% 44.3% 39.0% 6.3% (i.e. farmers market, garage sale, craft sale, bake sale, etc.) Attend a Community Event (i.e. Halloween 0.7% 1.8% 29.5% 57.5% 10.5% events, Remembrance Day, Breakfast with Santa, concerts, etc.) Picnic or Outdoor BBQ 1.1% 14.1% 31.8% 32.2% 20.8% Bicycle for Leisure 3.9% 18.2% 24.6% 22.1% 31.1% Casual Play in Park or Open Space (i.e. 9.5% 19.4% 16.2% 21.1% 33.8% Frisbee, throw a ball, tag, etc.) Participate in the Performing Arts (i.e. theatre, 3.6% 13.4% 12.7% 27.5% 42.8% dance, music) Participate in the Visual Arts (i.e. painting, 6.5% 11.9% 12.6% 22.3% 46.8% weaving, pottery) Fitness Classes (i.e. yoga, aerobics, Pilates, 5.4% 26.1% 8.9% 9.6% 50.0% jazzersize) Outdoor Recreational/Pick-up Sports (i.e. 3.2% 7.5% 5.4% 14.3% 69.6% basketball, volleyball, ball hockey) Children’s Play Groups (formal or informal) 3.6% 10.4% 9.3% 3.9% 72.8% Courts Sports (tennis, pickleball) 0.0% 2.5% 3.2% 19.4% 74.9% Activity Camps (i.e. summer camps, PD Day 0.7% 4.6% 5.7% 9.3% 79.6% Camps) Skateboarding/Scooter/BMX 0.4% 3.2% 4.7% 6.5% 85.2%

7 Next, respondents were asked to indicate the importance recreation, leisure and cultural opportunities. As reflected in the chart, residents highly value recreation, leisure and cultural opportunities and recognize that these opportunities are important to both their households wellbeing and that of the broader community.

Question: How important are recreation, leisure and Very Somewhat Not cultural opportunities to: Important Important Important The overall wellbeing of the community? (e.g. resident 77.0% 18.2% 4.7% physical and mental health) Your households quality of life? 74.2% 22.9% 2.9% The overall vibrancy of the community? 72.7% 22.2% 5.1%

Respondents were next asked to indicate their levels of use of specific spaces (or types of spaces) in Metchosin. As identified in the following chart, there is a high level and frequency of use of trails and parks spaces in the District. A high proportion of overall residents also use gathering spaces in central Metchosin such as the Community Hall, Community House and other amenities on the Municipal Grounds.

1–9 Uses 10–20 21+ uses Did Not Use Uses Trails in Metchosin 15.6% 14.6% 55.0% 14.9% Parks and Open Space in Metchosin 19.2% 13.9% 51.7% 15.2% Regional Parks in Metchosin 19.5% 16.6% 48.7% 15.2% Farmer’s Market 51.0% 24.8% 6.3% 17.9% Metchosin Community Hall 64.9% 5.0% 4.3% 25.8% Metchosin Community House 45.0% 9.9% 9.3% 35.8% Band Shell/Pavilion (on the Municipal 49.0% 2.0% 1.3% 47.7% Grounds) Playgrounds in Metchosin 16.2% 7.3% 8.6% 67.9% Sports Fields in Metchosin 19.2% 5.6% 7.0% 68.2% Private Fitness Facilities (i.e. yoga studios, spin 10.9% 3.6% 12.9% 72.5% studio, fitness centre with weights and cardio, etc.) SIRC (Seniors Information Resource Centre) 14.9% 2.6% 1.7% 80.8% Bus Shelter (sitting/resting area) 10.9% 2.3% 1.7% 85.1% Bike Jump Park (on the Municipal Grounds) 11.3% 1.0% 0.7% 87.1% Bike Shelter 9.6% 1.7% 0.3% 88.4% Riding Ring (Equestrian Facility) 7.3% 2.6% 1.0% 89.1% Tennis Courts 8.3% 2.0% 0.0% 89.7%

8 To conclude the survey section on current use, respondents were asked to identify any barriers that prevent them from being more active in recreation and social opportunities in Metchosin. As