Why the playground equipment is coming out, and what Oak Bay has budgeted for the park. | Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Sunrise 08:07 · 13°C |
Today 🌦️ 13° 10° | Tomorrow 🌦️ 12° 5° | Day after 🌧️ 9° 9° |
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Hello, Oak Bay. Willows is losing its playground. What comes next? The playground at Willows Beach is coming out. Oak Bay says the equipment is worn out and can no longer be kept up to safety standards. The District’s notice gives no removal date. The District’s financial plan lists $600,000 for Willows Park and Playground in 2027. The plan puts replacement in 2027 or 2028. Staff expect to report to council in the new year, and there’s no opening date yet. If the kids need a change of scene this weekend, Quimper Park’s new playground is already open in Harling Point. The Oak Bay Local team |
Paid partner · Olympic Mortgage The mortgage renewal cliff Renewing soon? Myths versus facts, and what actually matters for Oak Bay homeowners, from Olympic Mortgage. |
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| 🎵 | Tonight · Concert of Remembrance |
| Saturday, Nov. 7, 7:30 pm at Dave Dunnet Community Theatre (2121 Cadboro Bay Rd.). The Canadian College of Performing Arts and the Band of the 5th (BC) Field Regiment perform music, song and poetry. Pay what you can online or at the door. |
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| 🧶 | Sunday · Bring your knitting (or whatever you’re making) |
| Bring a project to Knit & Natter at Oak Bay United Church’s community hall on Nov. 8, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and it doesn’t have to be knitting. |
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| 🌳 | Sunday · A guided tree walk on Beach Drive |
| Join local tree expert Ron Carter at noon on Nov. 8 on the 1000 block of Beach Drive. Come earlier for planting and pruning demos. Tree Appreciation Day runs from 10 am to 1 pm. |
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| 🌺 | Wednesday · Remembrance Day at the cenotaph |
| Nov. 11, 10:55 am to noon at Uplands Park, on the 2900 block of Beach Drive. If you’re watching from home, the District’s event page links to the livestream. |
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| 🎤 | Friday · All-ages karaoke at St. Philip’s |
| Sing a song or just listen in the downstairs hall at 2928 Eastdowne Rd. on Nov. 13, 7 to 10 pm. They supply the mic, snacks and soft drinks. Drop in anytime. |
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| 🚌 | Newport is still closed, and two buses are detouring |
| Newport Avenue remains closed between Windsor and Transit roads after the water main break. BC Transit has rerouted the 1 and 2 and temporarily closed stop 100715 at Windsor and Transit. [BC Transit] |
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| 📚 | Oak Bay High is collecting books for hospitals and care homes |
| The drive runs Nov. 9 to 30. Grade 9s can bring books to advisory (there are Timbits on the line). Other students can use the donation box outside the school office. [Oak Bay High School] |
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| 📖 | The little bookshop on Estevan adds weekdays |
| Starting Thursday, Nov. 12, Meant Well Books plans to open Thursday through Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, Victoria Buzz reports. Find the former book truck’s shop at 2534 Estevan Ave. [Victoria Buzz] |
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Oak Bay Arts Weekend Step inside Oak Bay’s working art studios Free studio visits on Nov. 14 and 15, with live art demos at Monterey on Saturday. Ever wondered how a print is made? Watch Avis Rasmussen demonstrate printmaking at 2:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Monterey Recreation Centre (1442 Monterey Ave.). There’s also Chinese brush painting with Arlene Davey at 9:30 am and a woodworking demo with Jonathan Finlay at noon. The art sale runs from 9 am to 3 pm. Studios are open from noon to 4 pm both days. In Harling Point, visit Ed Hughes (stop 1), who often has a realistic painting and an abstract one on the go at the same time. At stop 8 on Lansdowne Road, Jennifer McIntyre makes prints and paints still lifes and landscapes. Tap the illustration for the District’s map and studio addresses. If you’d like to meet some of the artists before the tour, drop by Monterey from 5 to 7 pm Friday, Nov. 13. Admission is free. Sources · Ed Hughes: artist statement · District of Oak Bay: studio tour · Official tour map and demo schedule |
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The Pick · Local partner · Alli Brodie Art A little colour. A closer look. Step inside Alli Brodie Art on Oak Bay Avenue to see textured abstracts and work from seven local artists who paint in the gallery each week. Allison Brodie signs her paintings on the back, so you can choose which side goes at the top. Drop by the working studio and gallery at #202, 2250 Oak Bay Ave. Ten percent of sales supports two charities. Local ads help keep Oak Bay Local free. Become a partner |
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Community Bulletin Board What's pinned up around the village |
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Posters from around Oak Bay. Tap any to open the source. |
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Who’s asking and how to reply |
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| 🍽️ | A caterer for a dinner party |
| Paul Shorty needs a cook or caterer for 10 to 12 people. Know someone? Leave a recommendation. |
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| Soren Russow wants to start an Oak Bay cribbage club. Reply to his post if you’d play. |
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| 🛻 | Junk removal from Rockland |
| Daniel Manuel offers junk removal for $50 an hour plus the dump fee. Ask him about your load. |
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| 🛠️ | Help with cabinet hinges |
| Christy Strach needs someone who can rehang cupboard doors with European hinges. Send her a name if you know someone. |
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From the Oak Bay Local group Handmade poppies and a holiday sitter |
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Kandis Armstrong says her handmade poppies raised $2,000, split between the Royal Canadian Legion’s Comox branch and the Victoria Poppy Fund. |
Andrew Gibbs shared this painting from The Art Hub, a Victoria gallery run by the artists who show there. |
Laura Bee is looking for someone to watch her two senior terriers over the holidays. See her post if you can help. |
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Pass it on Know a neighbour who'd want this? If this issue was useful, forward it. Or send them the signup page and they'll get the next one. |
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