Jump to content

      



























Photo

[Langford] Western Speedway redevelopment


  • Please log in to reply
67 replies to this topic

#21 spanky123

spanky123
  • Member
  • 20,976 posts

Posted 12 March 2020 - 03:57 AM

I think Stew is just trying to get a good amenity package for the city. 

 

And that was my point. By saying that council won't allow any chance of use for the property he is likely deterring 90% of potential bidders. Even though it may already be zoned, nobody is going to want a protracted battle with the City.



#22 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 12 March 2020 - 04:54 AM

The purchasers at this level of investment aren’t too worried about politics. All they need to do is say the quality of life for thousands within earshot will be improved.

WS has been a thorn in Bear Mountain’s side, and you’ve got a new cultural facility coming down the road. Loud rumbles don’t jive with that. And by no means am I saying WS isn’t special or not a great asset for the community.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#23 Jackerbie

Jackerbie
  • Member
  • 3,776 posts
  • LocationRichmond, BC

Posted 12 March 2020 - 08:39 AM

I think Stew is just trying to get a good amenity package for the city. 

 

I'm just gonna leave this here...

 

 

 

Langford Mayor Stew Young said the municipality will provide the land and services and pay for the $30-million theatre through fundraising and amenity fees charged to developers.
via https://vancouversun...aritime-museum/


#24 On the Level

On the Level
  • Member
  • 2,891 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 05:46 AM

I think Stew is just trying to get a good amenity package for the city. 

 

I think you're right!

 

I have been trying to document taxation per municipality from a policing perspective and do have most of the Audited Financial Statements from 2018, but it appears one would need to go through an extensive FOI exercise before you would have an apples to apples comparison :( , but I was able to uncover some interesting info that is relevant here....  :D

 

For 2018, ~40% of Langford's entire budget came from "Developer and property owner contributions"  (in addition to the usual development charges, permits, etc. that you see across all municipalities).  I often complain that Victoria waste's this opportunity by spending it on bureaucratic never ending approval process instead of using it for low income housing.  Get one project to pay for another.

 

Anyways, back on topic.  We will probably see Western Speedway finally end, but I hate hearing people complain after taking it upon themselves to move beside a racetrack to then decide that it wasn't such a great idea after all.  If you don't like the racetrack, why did you move there?  



#25 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:00 AM

The noise travels very, very far. It’s one thing to move across the street but the sounds can be heard from kilometres away, especially by night when the noise of the city subsides or if it’s cloudy then the noise is even louder.

The track was originally situated where it was to keep it away from residential areas.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#26 Nparker

Nparker
  • Member
  • 40,404 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:02 AM

 

If you don't like the racetrack, why did you move there

Because there were no houses available next to the airport.


  • Lorenzo likes this

#27 Victoria Watcher

Victoria Watcher

    Old White Man On A Canadian Island

  • Member
  • 52,328 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:03 AM

The noise travels very, very far. It’s one thing to move across the street but the sounds can be heard from kilometres away, especially by night when the noise of the city subsides or if it’s cloudy then the noise is even louder.

The track was originally situated where it was to keep it away from residential areas.

 

it's not really a loud or jarring or even an unpleasant sound though.  it's just some different noise.  it's hardly a menace.



#28 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:06 AM

It’s pretty loud and jarring, from what I’ve heard.

Anyways, I like the speedway concept there. But I can see how Langford’s development over 70 years has made it unworkable in its current location.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#29 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:08 AM

https://youtu.be/faRU79h0dXY

A few hours of this when you’re barbecuing on a Saturday afternoon isn’t exactly pleasant.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#30 Victoria Watcher

Victoria Watcher

    Old White Man On A Canadian Island

  • Member
  • 52,328 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:13 AM

https://youtu.be/faRU79h0dXY

A few hours of this when you’re barbecuing on a Saturday afternoon isn’t exactly pleasant.

 

i guess if you are bird-watching or something on saturday nights.  but if you are bbqing just have your own tunes on.



#31 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 06:15 AM

Oh yeah, I get it. But I’m sure we can agree that a speedway next to rapidly growing residential areas will never fly long term.

Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#32 Bernard

Bernard
  • Member
  • 5,056 posts
  • LocationVictoria BC

Posted 13 March 2020 - 08:07 AM

I live near VGH/Eagle Creek and in summer months we can hear the speedway.   It is not loud enough to be a problem but we can clearly here it has a background noise



#33 Kapten Kapsell

Kapten Kapsell
  • Member
  • 3,539 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 09:18 AM

Oh yeah, I get it. But I’m sure we can agree that a speedway next to rapidly growing residential areas will never fly long term.

I wonder if architectural and acoustic modifications could be done?  I lived in Indianapolis at one time, and though its racetrack can accommodate 400,000 spectators the vehicle noise from the two biggest events (Indy 500 & Brickyard 400) wasn't a major issue, i.e. it didn't cross major decibel thresholds for most residences nearby.  And there are quite a few homes near the track (there's an entire suburb called Speedway).

 

But I still wonder if a bit of 'caveat emptor' should apply, i.e. those purchasing homes in the general area should be aware that (for now, at least) they will be subjected to the noise, in the same way that purchasers of new homes along Highway 1 in Langford and Colwood know that they will be subjected to noise (and other pollutants) due to the location of the properties?



#34 Victoria Watcher

Victoria Watcher

    Old White Man On A Canadian Island

  • Member
  • 52,328 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 09:25 AM

it's not particularly loud in terms of decibels.  i mean people sit literally 25 feet from the sound emitting devices for hours.  with no hearing protection.  it's just like rifflandia at royal athletic park isn't really that loud or annoying it's just surprising sometimes it can be heard so far away.  but it really is not all that troubling to most people.  the odd <1% go nuts.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 March 2020 - 09:33 AM.


#35 Bernard

Bernard
  • Member
  • 5,056 posts
  • LocationVictoria BC

Posted 13 March 2020 - 10:09 AM

The sound is not loud at my home, it causes no problems.    



#36 Mike K.

Mike K.
  • Administrator
  • 83,176 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 10:25 AM

Right, and you're 4.5 to 5.5 kilometers away, as the bird flies. If you can hear it, imagine what those living 2km away can hear, or 1km away.

 

5km from the track is Hatley Castle.


Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.


#37 shoeflack

shoeflack
  • Member
  • 2,861 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 10:31 AM

You guys need to check out the Thermal Club outside of Palm Desert. Those homeowners are paying a premium to have a track as their backyard!



#38 Sparky

Sparky

    GET OFF MY LAWN

  • Moderator
  • 13,115 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 11:04 AM

This thread is bringing up ghosts for me. Picture this...sitting in the back seat of the stock car listening to a little Billy John.

Anyway that’s me ....the Elvis look alike... the only one with his ass on the ground.

8A4D84A0-3F26-4083-93E5-7686F07A28D5.jpeg
  • Mike K., Bernard, Greg and 2 others like this

#39 Nparker

Nparker
  • Member
  • 40,404 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 11:39 AM

...Anyway that’s me ....the Elvis look alike... the only one with his ass on the ground..

Thank you; thank you very much.



#40 Spy Black

Spy Black
  • Banned
  • 2,461 posts

Posted 13 March 2020 - 01:59 PM

Let's face it, Western Speedway hasn't spent a cent on new amenities in 40+ years, and the "serious" racing gave way to the hit-to-pass gong show years ago.

 

Hit-to-pass is barely above a circus freak show in the entertainment world, so falsely yearning for the Gary Kershaw and Billy Foster version of Western Speedway is about 35 years past it's due date.

 

It's doubtful that the Speedway will be seriously missed once it's gone (and it will be gone).


  • Nparker and VIResident like this

You're not quite at the end of this discussion topic!

Use the page links at the lower-left to go to the next page to read additional posts.
 



0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users