Two sound stages could be built in the Langford Heights business park development, paving the way for film productions to come to the city.

Strand Corporation, the developer behind the large business park project around Westshore Motorsports Park, gave a presentation to the cityB次元官网网址檚 planning, zoning and affordable housing committee on March 28 that called for two sound stages to be built, and requested that a portion of the property be rezoned to add residential zoning to lots 1 to 4 B次元官网网址� while leaving the rest zoned for a business park.

Strand, which is partnering with Bastion Development Corporation on the project, stated adding residential to the industrial project will help people live closer to where they work, making a B次元官网网址渕ore complete community that is less reliant on automobile commuting.B次元官网网址�

Langford council gave the rezoning first reading at its April 4 meeting.

Coun. Lillian Szpak said later in an interview the studios would be a great fit for the city, adding there are already a number of professionals here whose skills would allow them to work in well-paying film industry jobs.

B次元官网网址淭hey donB次元官网网址檛 have to relocate to Vancouver where there are sound studios, they donB次元官网网址檛 have to leave their home in order to work. They could be working here in the film industry in Langford. So we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have that sort of brain drain occurring,B次元官网网址� she said.

The only other sound stage on the Island is in Parksville. Vancouver Island Film Studios there is completely booked until around March 2024.

Szpak added that sound studios in Langford could potentially pave the way for a production studio and see the city become another B次元官网网址淗ollywood NorthB次元官网网址� location down the line.

A proper film studio would be the missing piece of the puzzle that could attract the B次元官网网址渂ig budget, blockbuster film,B次元官网网址� according to Kathleen Gilbert, film commissioner for the Greater Victoria Film Commission. The sound stages would support existing local businesses and spur the creation of new ones to supply equipment and other services, such as post-production and prop houses. The next challenge is ensuring the Island has a skilled workforce for the industry.

B次元官网网址淎lready we are often unable to provide experienced crew to the shows that come here. Our big focus over the next year is to increase our crew base,B次元官网网址� she said in an email.

Camosun College is a little further along in its bid to build a similar project near its Interurban campus in Saanich.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a huge demand for studio space since there arenB次元官网网址檛 really any other options on southern Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� Geoff Wilmshurst, vice-president of partnerships at Camosun, said in a previous interview with Black Press Media.

Work on that project is expected to begin within the next 18 months.

A public hearing for the Langford Heights proposal is set for May 6.

B次元官网网址� with files by Megan Atkins-Baker

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