The developer of SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort, also known as Silver Spray, has applied for a provincial foreshore lease and municipal rezoning to build a floating dock in Sooke harbour.
The purpose of the dock is to provide safe access to and from the sea for SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort residents and the public, and for “rapid response in the event of emergency,” according to the developer’s application for Crown Land Tenure.
The dock will also be used by the Centre for Whale Research and possibly by the Marine Mammal Branch of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to maintain hydrophones and underwater monitoring equipment attached to the SookePoint outfall pipe.
The proposed 18-metre dock will be located in the corner of Moonlight Bay, between Silver Spray and East Sooke Regional Park.
“No one will ever be able to see it from Sooke, nor will anyone be able to see it from anywhere in Sooke harbour,” said developer Michael Thornton.
“It can only be seen if someone boats or flies to the farthest south-eastern boundary of the entire Silver Spray lands and looks back up into the crevasse at the boundary of SookePoint.”
District of Sooke council is considering a rezoning of the area from passive recreation to marina. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday (June 27).
Before final zoning ratification, the developer will be required to get approval from the province for the foreshore lease.
Sooke Point is within a master-planned comprehensive development zone that specifically permits boat moorage, rentals and docks accessory to a destination resort. It was approved by the Capital Regional District in 2002.
SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort is expected to grow to accommodate more than 500 overnight residents and guests and employ 200 full- and part-time staff.
