Turf war on the West Shore

Construction on a new, 480-seat elementary school is underway in South Langford, an area consisting of mainly residential homes.

Construction on a new, 480-seat elementary school is underway in South Langford, an area consisting of mainly residential homes.

“For any young families in the South Langford area, there’s not a lot of amenity land,” said Ravi Parmar, chair of the Sooke School District Board of Education.

The school district was hoping to build the school with a lit, turf all-weather field. Partial funding for that part of the project would need to come from Langford City Hall.

“I sent a letter in January and followed up in February,” said Parmar.

The district received no response from mayor and council.

“Then we sent a final letter in March letting them know we just need an answer one way or another,” said the chair.

With plans needing to be finalized to begin construction, the district decided to proceed without the turf field and lights, settling on an unlit grass field.