The CRD and T’Sou-ke Nation have announced the reopening of the 67-site RV and tent campground at Sooke Potholes Regional Park this Friday, July 10, 2015 until October 5, 2015. “Sooke Potholes Spring Salmon Place” campground will be operated by T’Sou-ke Nation under a pilot project with the CRD for the 2015 season.
The Land Conservancy of B.C., had been managing the facility, however due to financial difficulties faced by the trust, the campground was closed in 2014. In spring 2015, the CRD took over the management of the grounds and incorporated them into the regional park.
Under the pilot project, the CRD will take care of infrastructure at the site such as water tanks; lines; building and shelters. T’Sou-ke Nation will be responsible for campground operations, including public safety; camper registration; visitor services; and operations and maintenance.
“Our joint goals are to provide a high quality camping experience, build positive government-to government relationships and share information about the cultural significance of these lands with aboriginals and non-aboriginals,” said CRD Regional Parks Committee Chair Susan Brice. “It also provides an opportunity for T’Sou-ke Nation to share their stories, their language and their deep connection to the waters and lands in this part of their traditional territory with members of their community and camping visitors.”
“The Sooke Potholes is known to our people as KWL-UCHUN, (Spring Salmon Place), the place where the spring salmon give themselves back to mother earth – these are the teachings of our ancestors,” said T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordon Planes. “We are the salmon people and our language follows the salmon route, we are directly connected to the resource; it’s a part of our identity. The spring salmon have taken care of us since time immemorial, and today we all need to do the same. We are here to ensure that the salmon are taken care of for our future generations and our children not born yet.”
Campground and Park Rules
- Campground operates on a first-come first-served basis
- Fees $25/night; $10 extra vehicle; $7 firewood payable by cash only
- Stay is limited to 14 days a year
- Quiet time 10pm – 7am
- Generator use permitted 9 – 11am and 6 – 8pm
- Check out time by 11am
- Visitors must leave campground by 8:30pm
- Alcohol not permitted outside campsite
- Fires permitted in designated fire rings unless a ban is in place during high to extreme fire hazard ratings
- Smoking prohibited
- Dogs on-leash in campground
- Leave no trace and carry out litter
