District of North Saanich Announces Operating Lease Amendment Agreement for Sandown Agricultural Lands
NORTH SAANICH, B.C. The District of North Saanich is announcing an amended Operating Lease Agreement with the Circular Farm and Food Society (CFFS) that ensures responsible stewardship of the Sandown Agricultural Lands while supporting ongoing regenerative agriculture and community programming.
Following a comprehensive review, the District and the CFFS have agreed to a revised lease that reduces the leased area to approximately 13.5 acres for a three-year renewable term, while ensuring that vital programs – supporting youth, new farmers, and community gardeners – can continue. This approach balances fiscal responsibility and long-term planning with the District’s commitment to ensuring public lands remain active, productive, and provide meaningful benefit to the community.
“The Sandown Agricultural Lands are a vital community asset, and this amended lease reflects our commitment to responsible stewardship,” said Peter Jones, Mayor of North Saanich. “We value our long-standing partnership with the Circular Farm and Food Society and remain focused on maximizing community benefit through collaboration.”
The amended lease ensures that existing farmers and programming can continue to thrive on the 13.5 acres, providing community garden space, fresh produce to school meal programs, food banks, and local markets, while giving the District flexibility to evaluate future uses for the remainder of the lands. The District anticipates providing an update on long-term plans in 2026.
“Over the past five years, Sandown has grown into a dynamic hub where farmers, youth, volunteers, and community members come together to learn, cultivate food, and build local resilience,” said Ann Eastman, Chair of Circular Farm and Food Society. “With the clarity provided by the amended lease, we look forward to continuing our programs and ensuring Sandown remains a cornerstone of local food security and community connection.”
The District will continue to work closely with CFFS and other interest holders to ensure Sandown remains an important space for food security, agricultural innovation, and community learning.
About the Sandown Agricultural Lands
The Sandown Agricultural Lands form part of an 83-acre parcel transferred to the District of North Saanich in 2017 following the subdivision and rezoning of the former Sandown Racetrack lands. Historically used for farming and later as a racetrack until 2005, the lands were restored to agricultural status after the Agricultural Land Commission approved a land-exchange arrangement in 2011. As part of this agreement, 12 acres were removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) for commercial development, while 12 acres of municipal land were added to the ALR to ensure no net loss. By 2019, the site reclamation and drainage improvements required by the ALC were completed, returning the lands to general agricultural use. Today, Sandown serves as a community asset supporting agriculture, food security, and collaborative initiatives.
For more information:
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Media Contact:
Communications | District of North Saanich
communications@northsaanich.ca
778-426-8425
