May 12, 2026
Town of Sidney Council Meeting Highlights: May 11, 2026
Sidney BC
Highlights from regular Council meetings provide a brief summary of some items of broad public interest. The summary is not inclusive of all agenda items. Please refer to sidney.civicweb.net/Portal for the full agenda, minutes, and webcast.
Sidney’s temporary overnight warming centre supported 15 individuals in February and March 2026
Beacon Community Services reported to Council on the Town’s first overnight warming centre, operated from the Nell Horth Room beside the library during cold nights in February and March 2026. The centre was activated for seven nights during this time, in response to freezing or near‑freezing conditions.
The warming centre was operated by Beacon Community Services with support from the Sidney Fire Department. No safety incidents were reported, and the facility was left clean and orderly. Doors were open from 8 pm to 7 am, ensuring no overlap with library services. A total of 15 individuals accessed the service, most aged 50 and older, with over half identifying as Indigenous or Métis.
While the temporary warming centre addressed immediate winter needs, longer-term planning continues for an Extreme Weather Response Shelter, which would include overnight sleeping mats during extreme weather. Staff are currently assessing St Andrews Church (9691 Fourth St) as a potential site for the 2026/27 winter season and will report back to Council with proposed public engagement plans should the site be considered feasible.
Sidney Warming Centre Report Video
Council does not support proposed borrowing for new recreation facility in Central Saanich
Sidney Council has decided not to support a request to authorize a Capital Regional District loan of up to $14.2 million to fund a proposed indoor recreation facility in Central Saanich. The decision was made after Council invited and considered public input on the request, recognizing that borrowing costs would be shared among Sidney, North Saanich, and Central Saanich taxpayers. The request was brought forward by the Capital Regional District’s Peninsula Recreation Commission, a subregional service that provides recreation facilities and programming across all three municipalities.
Saanich Peninsula Recreation Services Loan Authorization Bylaw Video
Consultation planned for pickleball trial in Iroquois Park tennis court
Council has directed staff to consult with residents near Ocean Avenue on a proposed pickleball court trial at Iroquois Park. The proposal would convert the west tennis court into two dedicated pickleball courts while retaining the east court for tennis. This would provide separate areas for each sport within the existing footprint of the fenced courts. The trial would involve temporary measures such as a mobile divider, with no permanent changes to the courts.
Pickleball has been played at the park for several years and noise has not been an issue to date, though the proposal may increase the frequency of play. Subject to consultation findings, the trial would run for two playing seasons, concluding in Fall 2027, after which staff would report back to Council on community feedback and user experience to determine next steps. All court conversion costs would be funded by the pickleball community, with no Town funds required.
Staff Report Video
Council proceeding with targeted changes to parking on Allbay Road and Bowden Road
After reviewing feedback from nearby residents, Council approved two targeted parking measures on Allbay Road and Bowden Road to address ongoing concerns about on‑street parking pressure associated with workers from Harbour Road’s Marine Industrial Area.
Parking will no longer be permitted on the curved sections of Allbay Road near Eden Place, where visibility is lower. In addition, time‑limited parking will be introduced on one side of Bowden Road to support community access to Roberts Bay Beach.
Feedback from the neighbourhood engagement period indicated limited support among Allbay Road residents for restricting parking on one side of the road between Resthaven Drive and Bowden Road, and Council has decided not to move forward with that option.
Staff Report Video