Welcome word of expected cash has come through for the District of Sooke and the Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC).

The September 24 announcement was part of the provincial government’s dispersal of over $700 million for 174 provincial infrastructure projects.

The District of Sooke gets two-thirds of $908,653 as a windfall. For all of the recipients, a three-way funding formula was used made up of dollars from federal, provincial and local coffers. The district’s cash package is earmarked for a waterfront recreation (boat launch/pier) area adjoining a planned hotel for the waterfront between the government wharf and Sooke Harbour Resort.

The amount pledged for SEAPARC ought to put proposed renovation/expansion on the front burner.

The SEAPARC project, with a cost estimate of $1,200,000, gets a commitment of $400,000 each from the federal and provcincial governments. Much speculation has gone into the subject of improvements at the recreation centre including detailed blueprints for various improvements and expansion for parts of the complex.

The announcement comes as the SEAPARC Expansion Committee has wrapped up a public opinion survey and presented its findings to the commission’s board, which in turn has a meeting coming up this month at a date yet to be announced.

Regional director Mike Hicks was pleased by the grants, especially the SEAPARC bonanza.

“I think it is wonderful,” said Hicks. “Larry Hutchings, our SEAPARC Manager, worked extremely hard on securing this grant and deserves a lot of praise. I really enjoy working with Mayor Janet Evans and seeing positive progress like this for both our communities.”

Hutchings made sure to direct credit to SEAPARC staff for their efforts over the past two years. The SEAPARC manager also mentioned the positive influence contributed by the expansion committee.

It was a definite thumbs up from Her Worship as well.

“I’m very pleased we got the money for the expansion at SEAPARC,” said Evans. “The other moneys, we’ll use for the boat launch and some boardwalk expansion.

“We’re disappointed that we haven’t get the big one for the road or the sewer expansion but we’re thankful for what we’ve got. With the way the economy is this will stimulate some jobs.”

A preliminary comment from Rick Armour, chair of the SEAPARC Expansion Committee was equally upbeat although he was deliberate is stating it was too early to know just how the situation would play out.

“It’s very exciting,” stated Armour, “for SEAPARC and the community of Sooke to look forward to renovation and expansion of the facility.”