About Sooke Gathering Place

The Sooke Gathering Place is a proposed multi-purpose community hub designed to bring people together, reduce isolation, and support health, wellness, learning, and connection for residents of all ages.

Sooke is one of the fastest-growing communities on Vancouver Island, with more than 35% of its population already over the age of 55. That number is expected to double over the next 20 years. At the same time, families, youth, community groups, and non-profit organizations are all competing for limited meeting and program space.

The Gathering Place will provide a welcoming, accessible space where people can socialize, learn new skills, access support services, volunteer, celebrate, and build stronger community connections.

Sooke Gathering Place will be developed and  operated by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people throughout the Sooke region.

While the project recognizes the growing needs of our region’s aging population, it is not a seniors-only facility. The Gathering Place will be a community hub for everyone—a place where seniors can stay active and independent, families can gather, youth can participate in programs, and community organizations can collaborate.

Its vision is to create an inclusive space where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, learn, volunteer, and support one another.

Sooke Gathering Place will be a vibrant, flexible community hub that brings together programs, services, and organizations under one roof. Rather than duplicating existing services, it will provide affordable, accessible space where local groups can expand their offerings, collaborate, and better serve the community.

Potential programs and services include:

• Health and wellness programs
• Arts, music, crafts, and cultural activities
• Educational workshops and lifelong learning
• Community meals and social events
• Fitness and recreation programs
• Volunteer and outreach services
• Meeting and event space for non-profit organizations
• Intergenerational activities that bring seniors, families, youth, and children together

Sooke Gathering Place may also become the permanent home of the Sooke Arts Council, providing dedicated gallery, studio, workshop, and event space that supports local artists and celebrates the creativity that is such an important part of our community.

As community needs evolve, so will Sooke Gathering Place. Its flexible design will allow new programs, partnerships, and organizations to grow over time, ensuring it remains a welcoming, dynamic space that reflects the interests and needs of Sooke residents for generations to come.

Sooke Gathering Place is designed to fill a gap that currently exists in Sooke—a dedicated, year-round community hub focused on connection, inclusion, wellness, and collaboration.

Sooke Gathering Place will be a shared community resource that can adapt to changing needs.

Its benefits include:

• Reducing social isolation and loneliness 
• Supporting healthy aging and independent living 
• Providing affordable space for community organizations 
• Encouraging volunteerism
• Creating opportunities for people of different generations to connect 
• Strengthening the social fabric of Sooke by bringing residents together under one roof 

The goal is to create a welcoming place where friendships are formed, services are shared, and the entire community can thrive.

Sooke is growing rapidly, but its community infrastructure has not kept pace with the changing needs of its residents. More than 35% of Sooke's population is over the age of 55, making it one of the oldest communities on Vancouver Island. Over the next 20 years, that number is expected to nearly double, creating an even greater demand for accessible programs, social opportunities, wellness services, and spaces where people can remain active, engaged, and connected.

Many local seniors face challenges that extend beyond healthcare. Social isolation, loneliness, limited transportation options, and a lack of dedicated gathering spaces can have a significant impact on physical and mental well-being. At the same time, Sooke's existing community facilities are heavily booked, leaving many organizations struggling to find affordable, accessible space for programs, meetings, workshops, and events.

Sooke Gathering Place will become a shared community asset—a place where people of all ages can learn, create, celebrate, volunteer, and connect. It is an investment not only in today's seniors but in the long-term health, resilience, and vitality of the entire Sooke region.

Sooke Gathering Place is designed to address the needs of seniors while serving the entire community. It will provide a welcoming, inclusive space where seniors can maintain active, independent lifestyles, families can participate in community events, youth can access programs and mentorship opportunities, and volunteers can connect with organizations making a difference in the region. By bringing people together, Sooke Gathering Place will help reduce isolation, strengthen relationships, and foster a greater sense of belonging.

The benefits extend well beyond social programming. Sooke Gathering Place will provide much-needed space for arts, culture, recreation, education, and community organizations to grow and collaborate. 

Recreational groups, health and wellness providers, service clubs, and non-profit organizations will all have opportunities to expand their reach and better serve residents.

Sooke Gathering Place will become a shared community asset—a place where people of all ages can learn, create, celebrate, volunteer, and connect. It is an investment not only in today's seniors but in the long-term health, resilience, and vitality of the entire Sooke region.

Sooke Gathering Place will be a multi-purpose community hub that can adapt to the changing needs of Sooke for decades to come. The goal is to create a space that is functional, inviting, and accessible to everyone—a place where people can gather, learn, create, celebrate, and support one another under one roof.

The building is planned to include a variety of shared spaces that can accommodate everything from fitness classes and wellness programs to community meals, arts and cultural events, educational workshops, meetings, and social activities. Flexible multi-purpose rooms, gathering areas, kitchen facilities, and dedicated spaces for community organizations will allow multiple programs to operate simultaneously while encouraging collaboration and connection.

The design of Sooke Gathering Place has been shaped by extensive community engagement and years of planning by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network and its partners. Feedback from our community continues to inform the project, ensuring that the building reflects the priorities and aspirations of the people who will use it. 

Accessibility is a fundamental principle of the design. Sooke Gathering Place will be fully accessible and built to meet or exceed current accessibility standards, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can comfortably use the facility. Features such as barrier-free entrances, accessible washrooms, ample seating areas, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces will make the building welcoming for seniors, families with young children, people using mobility aids, and anyone with diverse accessibility needs.

Outdoor spaces are also an important part of the vision. We see welcoming patios, landscaped gathering areas and paths with gardens and seating. These outdoor amenities will provide opportunities for recreation, social connection, and intergenerational activities while taking advantage of Sooke's natural beauty.

Sooke Gathering Place will be owned, managed, and operated by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network (SRCHN), a non-profit organization focused on improving health, wellness, and community connection in the Sooke region.

The day-to-day operations will be supported through a collaborative model that includes staff, committees, and volunteers. This approach is designed to keep the facility community-driven and responsive, while ensuring it is professionally managed and sustainable over the long term.

Programming, food service, rentals, and community activities will be coordinated through SRCHN, with opportunities for community members and partner organizations to contribute through volunteering, partnerships, and program delivery. This shared model helps ensure Sooke Gathering Place remains active, inclusive, and reflective of local needs while maintaining consistent and effective operations.

The design of Sooke Gathering Place has been shaped by extensive community engagement and years of planning by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network and its partners. Feedback from our community continues to inform the project, ensuring that the building reflects the priorities and aspirations of the people who will use it. 

Accessibility is a fundamental principle of the design. Sooke Gathering Place will be fully accessible and built to meet or exceed current accessibility standards, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can comfortably use the facility. Features such as barrier-free entrances, accessible washrooms, ample seating areas, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces will make the building welcoming for seniors, families with young children, people using mobility aids, and anyone with diverse accessibility needs.

Outdoor spaces are also an important part of the vision. We see welcoming patios, landscaped gathering areas and paths with gardens and seating. These outdoor amenities will provide opportunities for recreation, social connection, and intergenerational activities while taking advantage of Sooke's natural beauty.

The design of Sooke Gathering Place has been shaped by extensive community engagement and years of planning by the Sooke Region Communities Health Network and its partners. Feedback from our community continues to inform the project, ensuring that the building reflects the priorities and aspirations of the people who will use it. 

Accessibility is a fundamental principle of the design. Sooke Gathering Place will be fully accessible and built to meet or exceed current accessibility standards, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can comfortably use the facility. Features such as barrier-free entrances, accessible washrooms, ample seating areas, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces will make the building welcoming for seniors, families with young children, people using mobility aids, and anyone with diverse accessibility needs.

Outdoor spaces are also an important part of the vision. We see welcoming patios, landscaped gathering areas and paths with gardens and seating. These outdoor amenities will provide opportunities for recreation, social connection, and intergenerational activities while taking advantage of Sooke's natural beauty.

Yes. Sooke Gathering Place is being designed as a flexible, multi-purpose community hub that will be available for rentals, meetings, workshops, celebrations, performances, and special events.

Its thoughtful design will allow multiple activities to take place at the same time, with separate meeting rooms and program spaces supporting everything from fitness classes and art workshops to community meetings and educational programs. This flexibility will enable local organizations, clubs, and service groups to access affordable, accessible space without interfering with one another.

For larger events, Sooke Gathering Place will offer spaces that can be combined or configured to accommodate community gatherings, cultural events, fundraisers, exhibitions, presentations, and celebrations. The goal is to create a vibrant facility that is active throughout the day and evening, serving as a welcoming destination for people of all ages and interests.

By providing much-needed event and meeting space, Sooke Gathering Place will strengthen the capacity of local organizations, support arts and culture, encourage community connection, and create new opportunities for residents to come together.

Yes. Sooke Gathering Place is expected to include kitchen facilities that will support a range of food-related programming and community use.

While it is not being developed as a traditional restaurant, the building is designed to accommodate community meals, shared gatherings, catering for events, cooking programs, and food-based workshops. This could include anything from community lunches and social dinners to nutrition programs, cultural food events, and intergenerational cooking activities.

The kitchen and food service areas are intended to be flexible so that different community groups and organizations can use the space as needed. This will help support social connection, reduce isolation, and make it easier for residents to gather, share meals, and participate in community life within Sooke Gathering Place.

Sooke Gathering Place already makes use of available community spaces whenever possible, but relying on rented or borrowed facilities is not a sustainable long-term solution.

Availability is often limited to certain days or times, making it difficult to offer consistent programming or build a reliable schedule that participants can depend on. Frequent moves between locations also create barriers for seniors and other users and limit opportunities for growth.

In some cases, organizations generously offer space, but the terms may restrict the delivery of independent health, wellness, or community programming. A shared facility can work for occasional events, but it does not provide the flexibility or autonomy needed to develop and expand services that respond to local needs.

Paying market-rate rent is also not financially sustainable for a non-profit organization. Funds that could be invested in programs, services, and community initiatives would instead be directed toward ongoing operating costs.

A permanent home would provide stability, accessibility, and the flexibility to offer programming throughout the week while supporting multiple community groups at the same time. It would also create opportunities for partnerships, arts and cultural activities, recreation, health services, and community events, ensuring that Sooke Gathering Place can grow alongside the needs of the community for years to come.

A number of existing buildings and potential locations were previously proposed and carefully investigated during the early stages of planning for Sooke Gathering Place. Each option was assessed based on its ability to meet the functional requirements of a modern, accessible, and flexible community hub.

While some sites and buildings showed promise, none were ultimately able to fully meet the combined needs of the project. Key considerations included location, accessibility, parking capacity, building layout, structural limitations, and zoning requirements. In many cases, existing buildings were either too constrained to be effectively adapted or would have required extensive renovations that still would not have resulted in a purpose-built, long-term solution.

As a result, the decision was made to move forward with a purpose-designed facility that can properly accommodate the scale, flexibility, and accessibility required. This ensures that Sooke Gathering Place can fully serve the community now and remain adaptable for future generations.

The earlier plans for Sooke Gathering Place as part of a seniors housing development on Lot A were extensively developed and at one point included completed architectural drawings, a shared community concept, and an active fundraising campaign aimed at meeting an initial $2 million community contribution requirement.

However, during the course of planning, the project requirements changed significantly. With updates from BC Housing, the required community contribution increased to approximately $5 million, including costs associated with portions of the broader building that were not directly part of Sooke Gathering Place itself. This revised expectation placed the project well beyond what could reasonably be achieved through grassroots fundraising and local community support.

As a result, despite years of planning, advocacy, and volunteer effort, the original Lot A proposal was no longer viable under the new conditions. The shift in requirements led to the loss of momentum and necessitated a full reassessment of how Sooke Gathering Place could be delivered in a way that remained realistic, sustainable, and achievable for the community.

Lot A is owned by the District of Sooke and has already been committed for the development of a seniors housing complex and an urgent care medical facility. This leaves a remaining portion of land between the Sooke Public Library and Evergreen Mall that has been considered for additional community use.

However, current land use restrictions require any development on the site to meet high-density requirements. This significantly limits the feasibility of constructing a standalone Sooke Gathering Place in a way that is financially sustainable and functionally aligned with the project’s needs. As a result, a traditional independent build on Lot A is currently considered out of scope under existing constraints.

Despite these challenges, Sooke Gathering Place remains open to exploring any viable solution that allows the project to proceed in a way that is both practical and sustainable. A key priority is ensuring that the project is not dependent on paying full market-rate rent, which would significantly impact its long-term ability to serve the community and remain accessible to local organizations and residents.

Absolutely. The Sooke Gathering Place Planning Committee has always been open to new ideas, partnerships, and potential locations. Every suggestion that has been brought forward has been thoughtfully considered and evaluated based on its ability to meet the project's long-term goals, accessibility requirements, financial sustainability, and community benefit.

Our focus has never been on a specific building or site—it has always been on creating a welcoming, permanent home that serves the needs of the entire community. We recognize that achieving this vision requires flexibility, collaboration, and a willingness to explore creative solutions.

As planning continues, we remain committed to pursuing and advocating for options that provide a sustainable, long-term home for Sooke Gathering Place without placing an unreasonable financial burden on users, community organizations, or taxpayers. We welcome conversations with property owners, government partners, businesses, and community members who share our vision of creating an inclusive community hub for generations to come.

A plebiscite is a community-wide vote that gives residents a direct say on an important local issue, such as borrowing money for a major capital project.

For example, if the District of Sooke proposed borrowing up to $5 million to help build Sooke Gathering Place, eligible voters would be asked to vote Yes or No on a loan authorization bylaw. The outcome of that vote would determine whether the District could proceed with the borrowing.

In simple terms, a plebiscite allows the community to decide whether it supports a significant public initiative before it moves forward.

If the District of Sooke chooses to proceed with a plebiscite for Sooke Gathering Place, it is anticipated to take place in conjunction with the next municipal election. Holding the vote at the same time allows for maximum public participation while minimizing additional costs.

Eligible voters would generally include residents of the District of Sooke who are at least 18 years of age, Canadian citizens, and registered to vote. Non-resident property owners who meet the requirements under British Columbia's local government legislation may also be eligible to vote.

Final details, including the date, wording of the question, and voter eligibility requirements, would be established and communicated by the District of Sooke if and when a plebiscite is called.

Sooke Gathering Place is a community project that would require a significant long-term financial commitment. A plebiscite ensures that residents have a direct voice in deciding whether the District should borrow funds to support the project.

Rather than leaving the decision solely to Council, a public vote provides transparency, accountability, and an opportunity for the community to weigh the benefits, costs, and long-term impact before a commitment is made. It allows every eligible voter to participate in shaping an important investment in Sooke's future.

The role of Council is to evaluate the proposal, provide information, and facilitate the process. The role of the plebiscite is to ensure that the final decision reflects the will of the community.

Given the significance of the project and its potential impact for generations to come, we believe residents should have the opportunity to make that choice themselves.

However, current land use restrictions require any development on the site to meet high-density requirements. This significantly limits the feasibility of constructing a standalone Sooke Gathering Place in a way that is financially sustainable and functionally aligned with the project’s needs. As a result, a traditional independent build on Lot A is currently considered out of scope under existing constraints.

Despite these challenges, Sooke Gathering Place remains open to exploring any viable solution that allows the project to proceed in a way that is both practical and sustainable. A key priority is ensuring that the project is not dependent on paying full market-rate rent, which would significantly impact its long-term ability to serve the community and remain accessible to local organizations and residents.

A successful plebiscite would authorize the District of Sooke to borrow up to the approved amount to support the development of Sooke Gathering Place. It would not mean that the money is immediately spent or that construction begins the next day.

Instead, public approval would provide the certainty needed to move forward with detailed planning, finalize partnerships, secure additional funding, complete the design process, and proceed with construction. It would also strengthen applications for grants and other funding opportunities by demonstrating clear community support for the project.

The goal is to leverage the District's investment with contributions from senior levels of government, community fundraising, donors, businesses, and in-kind support, reducing the overall cost to taxpayers while creating a lasting community asset.

A positive vote would represent the community's commitment to moving the project from vision to reality and creating a permanent home that will serve residents of all ages for generations to come.

If the plebiscite is not approved, the District of Sooke would not have the authority to borrow funds for Sooke Gathering Place under the proposed plan, and the project would not move forward in its current form.

However, the need for a dedicated community hub will not disappear. Sooke's population continues to grow and age, and the demand for accessible space for health programs, arts, culture, recreation, and community organizations will only increase.

The Sooke Region Communities Health Network will continue to explore partnerships, funding opportunities, and alternative solutions that support the vision of Sooke Gathering Place. While a "No" vote would be a significant setback and likely delay the project for years, it would not diminish the community's need for a permanent, accessible, and sustainable gathering space and senior's centre,

Yes. We want residents to have access to accurate information and plenty of opportunities to ask questions before making an informed decision.

This FAQ is one way we hope to provide clear, factual answers directly from the project team. We will continue to update it as new questions arise and additional information becomes available.

We also plan to attend community events, meet with local organizations, and host information sessions where residents can learn more about Sooke Gathering Place, discuss the proposal, and ask questions in person. We welcome thoughtful dialogue and encourage everyone to reach out, share their ideas, and seek clarification on any aspect of the project.

Our goal is to ensure the community has the information it needs to make an informed choice about the future of Sooke Gathering Place.