Schools
Real Estate
Bus Service
Library
Post Office
Churches
District of Sooke (City Hall)
Sooke Region Museum
Visitor Information Center
Emergency Services
Fire Departments

Health Care:
Chiropractors
Spas & Beauty

Services
Recycling, Garbage
Landscaping, gardening
Construcion, escavating

Business Services

Events & Festivals
Recreation -playgrounds, ball fields, swimming pool, ice rink
Parks
Restaurants & Tea Rooms
Shopping
Community Groups

Liquor Stores
Taxi Service

Community Overview

The District of Sooke is on Vancouver Island, and is located approximately 50 kilometers (40 minutes) south of the Capital city of Victoria on the Trans Canada Highway #14.[ Map ]

The area encompassed by Capital Regional District (CRD) includes the communities of Sooke, East Sooke and Shirley. The population of the entire area is approximately 12,000 (stats of year 2006) including visitors and seasonal workers.

Sooke offers small town hospitality and spectacular scenery, with a rich history, numerous recreational opportunities.

New to the area? Welcome Wagon would be pleased to visit you! Call Judy at 642 2268 or 882-3268

History

The Sooke region was once Native North American territory, and the T'Souke Native Band is still very active in the community even today.

The town of Sooke is well documented by the the Sooke Historical Society and the Sooke Region Museum and Information Center.You can search the interactive database of families that lived on Vancouver Island and were part of the census of 1881- see if you had ancestors on the Island!

Employment

Many residents, preferring to live in a small community, commute to work in Victoria. A majority of residents of the Sooke area were at one time employed either directly or indirectly by the forestry and fishing industries. However, with the downturn in these industries, the population has seen a growth in its tourism. There are over 80 bed and breakfasts, hotels, and resorts as well as numerous fishing and whale watching charter companies that sustain a vibrant tourism economy. There is also a vibrant volunteer spirit in Sooke, with lots of annual and seasonal community events.

Infrastructure

Sooke's relaxing lifestyle and relatively low cost of housing make the community attractive to seniors and young working families. Education is available from kindergarten through grade 12 and world class post-secondary education is available in Victoria. Current infrastructure includes a water main to most homes in the Sooke core and a sewer system to be in place by 2006-2008. Currently, all businesses and homes rely on septic tanks and on-site sewage treatment. Many homes outside the core area are dependent on wells for water. Emergency services include a Fire Department, R.C.M.P. detachment, and ambulance service.

Recreational opportunities abound in the area with modern facilities such as the SEAPARC swimming pool and arena. The Rotary Club SK8 (skate) park and numerous outdoor playgrounds. The Sooke River Potholes and other salmon bearing streams delight locals and tourists, along with kilometers of oceanfront for shoreline activities.

Surrounding Area
The region around southern Vancouver Island is serviced by many media companies for radio and TV.

Geography
Maps of the area