A Landmark Book City of Langford Living the Life- Michael Wicks City of Langford Living the Lifestyle Michael Wicks 1 Goldstream Park 2 City of Langford: Living the Lifestyle City of Langford Living the Lifestyle “The City of Langford made itself a North American leader in sustainable development. What other communities are discussing in theory, Langford is implementing in practice. Environmental initiatives, economic incentives, public transportation and the well being of its citizens are areas of which other cities can learn from Langford. Bold vision, creative thinking and outstanding leadership made the city what it has become.” - Avi Friedman, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture, McGill University, Montreal “I am very impressed by the bright and fresh new look that has transpired in Langford. They have created a welcoming and vibrant city centre with brick sidewalks leading through upgraded landscapes and easily reached businesses. This combined with the variety of large major shopping options and recreation activities in close proximity, make Langford an appealing destination. They should be very proud of the significant physical improvements that have been made to enhance the appearance and vitality of their community.” - Mayor Larry Cross, Town of Sidney “Langford offers a wonderful variety of ways to be active and pursue a vibrant, healthy lifestyle. The Province is especially pleased to have contributed to City Centre Park - it is indeed the hub of the community’s entertainment zone.” - Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development 3 A Landmark Book Published by: Blue Beetle Books Inc. (in association with Penfold Publishing) Victoria, BC Tel: 250.704.6686 www.bluebeetlebooks.com ISBN: 978-0-9733307-2-4 City of Langford: Living the Lifestyle Copyright © 2011 Michael Wicks First published in 2011- all rights reserved This book was produced in collaboration with the City of Langford, British Columbia, Canada. Blue Beetle Books would like to thank the Mayor and council, and city administration, for all their help in making this book a success. We would also like to thank Langford’s Community Champions for their support. To inquire about having a Landmark book published, or to purchase additional copies of this book call: 250.704.6686 or email: [email protected] Blue Beetle Books Inc. has made every effort to ensure the information in this book is up to date and accurate, however, neither the company nor the author can guarantee that all information provided to the writers and editors is without errors or omissions. Readers are advised to contact the City of Langford for further information, or to confirm the accuracy of statements and statistics contained in this publication. City of Langford Tel: 250.478.7882 www.cityoflangford.ca Publisher: Michael Wicks Contributing writer: Ingrid Vaughan Editors: Rick Stiebel and Trent Campbell Cover design and book layout by Tom Spetter © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS STATEMENT form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or Blue Beetle Books saved the following resources by stored in a retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. Reviewers may quote printing the pages of this book on chlorine free paper brief passages in conjunction with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper made with 10% post-consumer waste. or broadcast. GREENHOUSE Printed and bound in Canada by Friesens TREES WATER ENERGY SOLID WASTE GASES 4 2,168 2 137 480 FULLY GROWN GALLONS MILLION BTUs POUNDS POUNDS Environmental impact estimates were made using the Environmental Paper Network Paper Calculator. For more information visit www.papercalculator.org. C016245 Table of Contents Langford, Tomorrow’s City Today .....................................................................6 Chapter Three - A Green Community ......................................52 Langford’s Awards ................................................................................................7 Green Action Initiatives ....................................................................................54 Foreword ................................................................................................................9 A Green Pedestrian Highway to the Future ...................................................58 Langford - 18 Years of Progress ........................................................................10 A Blooming City .................................................................................................61 Langford’s Coat of Arms ...................................................................................11 Chapter Four - A Caring Community ......................................64 Chapter One - A Vibrant Community ......................................12 Reaching Out to Create Brighter Futures .......................................................67 Fabulous Outdoor Amenities ...........................................................................14 SportAssist ...........................................................................................................70 An Active Community ......................................................................................19 Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament ..................................................................71 City Centre Park .................................................................................................24 Rugby Canada and the City of Langford - What a Team! ...........................27 Part Two - Community Champions ..........................................72 A Golfer’s Paradise .............................................................................................28 Westshore Developers Association ..................................................................74 Sustainable Transport - Now and in the Future ............................................30 The Market on Millstream ................................................................................76 The Langford Trolley .........................................................................................31 Westhills ...............................................................................................................78 Retail Heaven ......................................................................................................32 Rugby Canada .....................................................................................................80 Goldstream Provincial Park ..............................................................................35 Johns, Southward, Glazier, Walton & Margetts .............................................82 Coming Together ...............................................................................................36 Langford Lanes ...................................................................................................84 The Alpine Group ...............................................................................................86 Chapter Two - A Progressive Community ................................38 City Centre Park .................................................................................................88 Building Langford’s Future ...................................................................................41 Kettle Creek Station ...........................................................................................90 Langford’s Neighbourhoods .............................................................................43 Doing Business in Langford .............................................................................92 A Vibrant Business Community ......................................................................48 Hi-Tech Langford ...............................................................................................49 Table of Contents 5 Langford, Tomorrow’s City Today angford is a city on the move, led by a Mayor and council with extraordinary vision. This Lbook celebrates Langford’s achievements in the 18 short years since it incorporated as a city. Its transformation from a bedroom community of Greater Victoria, to a thriving, bustling, leading-edge destination for shopping and recreation is truly amazing. In recent years a dozen or more big box stores have appeared, a quiet mall has become an exciting and vibrant place to shop and new malls have opened. Main street has re-invented itself as Goldstream Village, a boutique-shopping, coffee-sipping urban oasis full of palm trees, flowers, and dancing musical jets of water from an island fountain. Thousands of homes have been built, from affordable housing units to luxury mountainside homes as people flock to enjoy the incredible array of amenities on offer. World-class sports fields have been built, along with an arena featuring a national hockey league-size sheet of ice, a next generation tenpin bowling facility and a fully digital, state-of-the-art, seven screen movie theatre. As the population has increased, businesses across all sectors have chosen to relocate here. They are welcomed by this forward-thinking city which facilitates and partners with developers and business owners. From tree-lined boulevards to a green pedestrian highway, Langford is the epitome of a sustainable community - one that people are proud to call home. Michael Wicks, Publisher: Blue Beetle Books 6 City of Langford: Living