1. Go play a round at Sooke’s par three golf course- Demamiel Creek on Throup Road. It costs $16 for nine holes and on seniors’ day you can play 18 holes for the price of nine. The course opens in April. Call 250-642-2500.
2. Go camping. Take the kids and head for the French Beach or Juan de Fuca campsites. For front country camping at China Beach you pay $18/night; at Goldstream $35/night and French Beach $26/night. Rates differ for group campsites. Fee schedules for all camping can be found at:http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/fees/
Many beaches offer just tenting sites for those who choose to walk in. Check with BC Parks for full details or www.hellobc.com.
3. SEAPARC Leisure Centre has swimming and fitness programs for all ages. You can swim a lap or two for just $5.75, kids six to 12-years-of-age for $2.90, seniors $4.35, and youth get in for $3.45. Call SEAPARC for more information on all the programs offered: 250-642-8000. They have a calendar at: www.crd.bc.ca/seaparc.
4. Play a game of billiards or pool at one of the establishments in and around Sooke. Buffy’s, the Royal Canadian Legion, and the 17 Mile Pub all have tables. Depending on the day it will cost you either nothing or $1 to $1.25 to chalk up your cue. There are also pool leagues in Sooke where you can compete with local pool sharks.
5. Take in a Sooke Folk Society coffee house performance for about $7 depending on the concert. Season begins in September and runs to the end of June.
6. Watch an awareness video on issues of societal concern. On a Wednesday once a month from September to June. Cost is by donation.
7. Take in a Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Concert for less than $20. Hear professional and semi-professional musicians perform the world’s greatest classical music. Concert series tickets are available. Go to www.sookephil.ca for more information on upcoming concerts.
8. Join a group or organization and learn something new. Some groups have a small yearly membership fee. There are groups and organizations for every interest and taste. A list is in the back of the Sooke phone book, or go to www.sookeregionresources.com/volunteer-opportunities. The Sooke Volunteer Centre is a community-based organization where you can find out all about volunteer opportunities.
9. Sing your heart out in a choir. Sooke boasts a number of choirs where you can raise your voice in song. There is a choir for every age group.
10. Get out on the water and learn to sail a long boat with a group of avid old salts. Contact the Edward Milne Community School program office at 250-642-6371.
