Sooke residents may soon be able to enjoy bowling, pizza, coffee and Mediterranean cuisine – all in the comfort of one new development – if they can find a place to park.
At the April 28 District of Sooke council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to rezone a property at 6727 West Coast Rd. from R1 large lot residential to C2 commercial. The move marks the next step in the development of what is being pitched as a bowling alley and restaurant.
The proposal comes from the Almhanna family, who immigrated to Sooke from Syria in 2016 and now run a daycare centre in the community.
"I've been thinking that we needed a bowling alley for a long time, so I hope this works," said Coun. Tony St-Pierre.
The project has received strong support from Sooke council and community members hoping to see more recreational amenities in the area. Coun. Jeff Bateman noted that if the project is successful, it would be just the fourth bowling alley operating in the south Island.
"This puts us on the map in various kinds of ways with specific audiences,” said Bateman, who also serves as deputy mayor. “The applicants are bringing us a big, bold idea, the kind that this community needs.”
So far, a potential lack of parking is the only thing threatening to send the project into the gutter. Coun. Al Beddows expressed concerns that the proposed lot was not large enough to accommodate all the parking needed for the facility, which is said to include a Mediterranean restaurant on the second floor, with a pizza place and café on the ground floor, alongside the bowling alley.
"I'm ecstatic about it. We need those amenities,” said Beddows.
“I still have some reservations about the parking, but I've been assured by staff and the applicant that there will be adequate parking for that facility. So I'll take you at your word, and when your development permit comes through, I'll be looking at those things.”
The decision followed a public hearing where several Sooke residents voiced their support for the project, while also raising concerns. "I love bowling, I think we need it. My concern is late-night gatherings in the parking lot. But as long as it’s under control and things are done properly, I think it will be a great addition for Sooke,” said one resident who spoke at the hearing.
Parking was also a concern for others. Helen Ritz, who lives at a neighbouring property, expressed some concerns along with support for the project.
“There are some parking issues, absolutely. The parking attendant knows me well – I call a lot for people blocking me in. But if we can work those issues out, that would be great," said Ritz. Other residents and neighbours of the property expressed some concerns about the location of garbage cans, street lights and noise that would come with the project, but said as long as these issues could be dealt with adequately that they would support the project.
Luis Almhanna, spokesperson for the project, spoke at the hearing and said parking should not be a concern, although a formal plan cannot be provided until the next phase when official drafting of the facilities begins.
"Preliminary plans, as we've discussed with the architect, indicate that we will have enough land to meet all of the city's parking requirements and more,” said Almhanna, who remained confident that parking would not be an issue.
With the rezoning application approved, the family can now move on to the development permit phase. They will continue working with architects and engineers to finalize plans before applying for a permit with Sooke council.
