by Roger  Stonebanks, citizen reporter (updated Feb 25)

Meetings are continuing to see if the Cordova Bay Community Club may be able to move from its home on Sutcliffe Road to a proposed residential development in the former Trio industrial site.

The talks involve Aragon Properties of Vancouver, which owns the 26-acre ex-Trio site where it has submitted to Saanich a rezoning application with plans for housing; the Cordova Bay Community Club, which owns its Sutcliffe Road property but wants to expand and needs rezoning; and the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs. Talks have also been held with two Saanich councillors and will continue on March 3 with all parties including Saanich staff.

At this time any move is only being mooted as a “possibility” by the club which has asked Saanich for rezoning and a development permit for a four-court badminton building adjacent to its three-court badminton building that was built in the 1950s. The site is currently zoned residential.

CBA president Larry Gontovnick commented to Saanich Voice Online that a meeting on Feb. 24 between Aragon Properties, the CBCC and CBA “went well” and that Aragon Properties and CBCC “are making good progress on many of the details. All parties are very enthusiastic about the proposed plans.” An earlier meeting involved two representatives each from the CBCC and CBA with two Saanich councillors.

In comments on Feb. 20 to Saanich Voice Online, CBCC president Ron Jordan said the club moving is a “possibility. Right now no agreements have been made other than to have more meetings between the parties. If CBCC is not able to reach a satisfactory agreement then CBCC would ask for the committee of the whole meeting to be re-scheduled.” That meeting, on Feb. 18, was postponed at the request of CBCC to allow for the current talks.

He added, “CBCC is pressing for all parties to reach an agreement in the very near future so the way forward is clear.” And, speaking for himself, Jordan said “if things come together as envisioned, a win for CBCC, Cordova Bay, Saanich, Aragon and the residents of Sutcliffe [Road] who opposed CBCC redevelopment.”

HERE is the last SVO story about the community club’s proposed rezoning/development permit application (including link to Saanich Planning report)

HERE is the last SVO story about Aragon Properties’ residential development proposal (rezoning application) at the former Trio site.

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