Oak Bay Local
← All issuesReading No. 142

September 26, 2026

Oak Bay votes twice in October

Andrew Weaver is back, the Oak Bay Lodge site gets a plan, and Oak Bay High wants your empties.

No. 142 · 5 min · about one cup of tea

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No. 142Saturday, September 26, 2026Oak Bay, B.C.

Oak Bay votes twice in October

5 min · about one cup of tea · from the desk

Good morning, Oak Bay.

Two elections. Seven days apart.

Oak Bay votes for mayor and council on October 17. One week later, B.C. votes again.

That second race got a jolt this week when Andrew Weaver stood in Windsor Park and asked for his old seat back. He is running for CentreBC with "zero dollars in the bank" and no signs. Every date you need is below.

Also inside: a plan to make a plan for the old Oak Bay Lodge site, Victoria's swimmers heading to our pool, and a bottle drive at Oak Bay High this morning.

The Oak Bay Local team

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The Note
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In the News

🗳️

Andrew Weaver wants his old seat back. The former BC Green leader represented Oak Bay-Gordon Head from 2013 to 2020. He is now running for CentreBC against NDP incumbent Diana Gibson. He launched in Windsor Park with "zero dollars in the bank," no signs and no campaign manager. [Oak Bay News]

📅

Two election days, one week apart. Oak Bay's advance voting is October 7 and 14 at Monterey Recreation Centre, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election day is October 17 at Monterey and Henderson, and you can register on the spot. The provincial vote is October 24. [District of Oak Bay]

🎙️

Hear the candidates in person. A reconciliation-focused meeting for all 11 municipal candidates is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 1701 Elgin Rd. The mayor and council forum is Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m. in the Oak Bay High theatre, and a meet-the-candidates fair runs Saturday, October 3, 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Anglican. The MLA forum is October 8.

🏊

Crystal Pool closed for good on Friday, and Oak Bay Rec is expecting company. Victoria's pool shut after 55 years, and its replacement is due in late 2030. The District has posted a guide for new visitors. Our waterslides are still closed, with no reopening date. [District of Oak Bay]

🎨

The Salmon Cycle sculpture may be moving. Council's parks and arts committee meets Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. to consider moving it for now to the garden at 1975 Bee St, and paying future Arts Alive People's Choice winners in cash instead of buying the piece.

🎓

SMUS tied for first among 1,032 B.C. elementary schools. The Fraser Institute's annual rankings gave it a perfect 10. Glenlyon Norfolk scored 9.3. [Oak Bay News]

🦐

Police took 78 calls last week, down from 112. Two prawn traps and a marked buoy, about $400 worth, vanished off the Discovery Islands within two hours of being set last Sunday. And a reported rifle on Oak Bay Avenue turned out to be metal pipe tied up with rope and bike locks.

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Oak Bay Lodge Redevelopment

The Oak Bay Lodge site has a plan to make a plan

Island Health and the Capital Regional Hospital District will spend the next two years deciding what belongs on the empty Oak Bay Lodge site. The agreement approves no project, budget or construction money.

Long-term care, hospice, seniors' care and primary care are all on the table. The 3.9-acre property at 2251 Cadboro Bay Rd has been empty since the 235-bed lodge closed in 2020 and was demolished in 2022.

Money remains the catch. The province has not committed funding. In March, the hospital district set aside up to $200,000 to find a third-party development partner. MLA Diana Gibson called the agreement a meaningful step.

“We really see this project as meeting an urgent need, and we are hoping the province can commit real support.”

Mayor Kevin Murdoch, hospital district chair

Sources · Victoria Buzz

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Community Events

🍾

Oak Bay High wants your empties this morning. Grade 12 students are running their Cops for Cancer bottle drive in the school's back parking lot off Cranmore Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring cans and bottles, or donate through the school's fundraising page.

🧡

Wednesday is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Songhees Nation hosts the fifth South Island Powwow at Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave. Gates open at 10 a.m., grand entry is at noon, and it runs to 7 p.m. Free, and everyone is welcome.

🐦

Crow Helps a Friend is on the Henderson chip trail through Friday. Andrea Fritz's art and story walk shares the culture and language of the Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking Peoples through the tale of a wood duck and a crow. Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 2291 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.

🎤

Open mic at Monterey on Sunday. Carl Trinkwon plays originals and sing-along favourites, 1:30 to 3 p.m., with a free coffee and treat at 1:30 courtesy of the Friends of Monterey.

🎭

Gilbert and Sullivan at lunch on Monday. The Savoy Singers do a half-hour pop-up in the Monterey Garden Court at noon.

🎈

Fall Family Fest is Friday at Henderson. Kindergym, a bouncy castle, crafts, and Oak Bay fire trucks and police cars to climb into. For ages 1 to 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., $5 per child at the door.

🎸

The Sutcliffes play early Beatles on Friday night. Hamburg and Cavern-era songs, 7:30 p.m. in the Sports View Lounge at Oak Bay Rec. Tickets through Beacon Ridge Productions.

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The Pick · Local partner · Ottavio

Ottavio’s Italian deli meat selection

Autumn charcuterie

Italian salumi, cheeses and pantry favourites for the first cool nights. Find everything for the board at 2272 Oak Bay Avenue.

Visit Ottavio →

Local ads help keep Oak Bay Local free. Become a partner

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From the Oak Bay Local group

Seen in the group this week

A few things your neighbours shared.

Yellow autumn leaves hanging over calm grey water, with sailboats moored offshore under an overcast sky.

A rainy autumn day in Oak Bay: yellow leaves over grey water, and a few boats still at anchor.

📷 Mary McArthur Photography · Oak Bay Local Facebook group · see the post →

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A black Mazda key fob photographed against a yellow background.

Seen a Mazda key fob? It went missing on a run somewhere between the Oak Bay Marina parking lot, Beach Drive and the path to Willows Beach, as far as the Cattle Point stairs.

📷 Jane Rowlands · Oak Bay Local Facebook group · see the post →

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Cut birch rounds piled on a front lawn beneath a birch tree.

Free birch rounds, cut and waiting on the lawn at 2088 Newton St.

📷 Thomas Thompson · Oak Bay Local Facebook group · see the post →

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Community Bulletin Board

What's pinned up around the village

Posters from around Oak Bay. Tap any to open the source.

Notice: Girl Guide Mint Cookies at Save On Foods

From the Oak Bay Local Facebook group

 
For Sale / Free: Free Bifold Doors in Cook St Village

From the Oak Bay Local Facebook group

 
Event: Lots of all-candidates events in Oak Bay for Mayor and Council, provincial and school board elections! Oct. 1-13

Event · candidates events in Oak Bay for Mayor and Council, provincial and school board elections! Oct. 1-13

 
For Sale / Free: Turn your camera roll into a keepsake film

For sale

Click any poster to read the full notice

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That's the week. Going to Thursday's forum? Hit reply with the question you want the candidates to answer. We read every one.

A sunny Sunday is ahead, with showers expected Monday night.

Have a good weekend, Oak Bay.

The Oak Bay Local team

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Oak Bay Local · Oak Bay

Made with care in Oak Bay, Victoria BC

Independent village news, supported by readers and local businesses. Sponsors do not influence our coverage.

— The Oak Bay Local desk. Next one Saturday, kettle time.

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