October 20, 2022 – Victoria Hospice is one step closer to expanding access to palliative end-of-life care in the community.
The Ministry of Education has approved the sale of 1.3 acres of land to Victoria Hospice. A Greater Victoria School Board (GVSB) bylaw regarding disposal of a triangular-shaped parcel of land adjacent to the South Campus of Lansdowne Middle School passed their third and final required reading on Mar 14. The bylaw was subject to approval from the Ministry of Education, which has now been granted.
“We are delighted that this sale has been approved,” says Trudi Brown, Board Chair of the Victoria Hospice Society. “It’s still a long road ahead involving an in-depth feasibility study but we are filled with optimism and incredibly grateful for the support from our community thus far.”
For more than four decades, Victoria Hospice has worked to enhance the quality of life of people facing life-limiting illness, death, and bereavement. The need for new and enhanced programs and services is clear: the population of people aged 75 and over on Vancouver Island is expected to double by 2035.
“We desperately need a new facility to ensure a good quality of life for people who are dying and their loved ones,” says Kevin Harter, CEO, Victoria Hospice. “This potential new site allows for an array of environmental and social benefits, including multiuse green spaces for Hospice clients and families, an outdoor classroom, and public greenway access. As we proceed, our goal is to bring all community stakeholders together for dialogue and input.”