Sooke
The District of Sooke provides a relaxed, casual lifestyle in a rural setting. With an abundance of parks and beaches, Sooke provides endless recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. It is home to a range of businesses including health and wellness practices, restaurants, shopping and local and organic farms.
Population
Approximately 11,000
Location
Sooke is located on the southern point of Vancouver Island on Canada’s rugged west coast, just 40 minutes from the heart of downtown Victoria via Highway 14. Sooke is accessible by bicycle on the CRD’s Galloping Goose Trail. It is surrounded to the north, west and south by the Juan de Fuca Strait and to the east by the District of Metchosin. Sooke’s terrain varies greatly, from the long, sandy beaches of Wiffin Spit, to the steep and densely wooded Sooke Hills. It encompasses approximately 5,800 hectares of semi-rural land. Sooke is also the home of the major watershed that provides potable water for the whole Capital Region.
Schools
Sooke is located within School District 62 and has one high school and one junior high school. Adult/continuing education is available through day, evening and weekend programs.
Recreation
Sooke has many world-renowned parks that make it a scenic destination for both tourists and locals. Wiffin Spit, the Sooke Potholes Regional and Provincial Parks are popular hiking and swimming spots. Sooke also serves as a base for those visiting the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. The back country of Sooke and its hundreds of kilometers of logging roads attracts a constant stream of 4X4s, quads, ATVs and dirt bikes.
Economy
Real estate in Sooke is some of the most affordable in BC, a factor that draws many young families to the area. Its business base is growing and Sooke works cooperatively with local industry to support economic development efforts to grow the local economy. The four main economic sectors in the area are forestry, tourism, events and agriculture.
