I want to personally thank Island Outfitters for donating a Islander Reel and a Custom Rod and Trotac for donating a Black box, both for a raffle. Proceeds are destined for the Juan De Fuca Salmon Restoration Society's Charters Creek project. A quick count indicates about $1,000 was raised. The Charters Creek project includes a 2000 sq ft salmon interpretive centre, a small demonstration salmon hatchery (with the possibility of future expansion if required) stream rehabilitation and a salmon rearing side channel. The centres and hatcheries foundations are both now poured and work is speeding ahead. Local companies and individuals are volunteering their time, skills and equipment for this worthy project.
Funds are still required to finish off the buildings and to bring water into the hatchery and the future side channel. Approx $40,000 is required for the society's portion of the water valves to tap into the CRD's water line. Aprrox $200,000 more is required to complete the two buildings on site, including the interpretive center and the hatchery out building. All donations of materials, labour and cash are greatly appreciated and the society is able to issue a tax receipt. When complete this project will greatly help the local Sooke salmon stocks and also educate the public on the importance of our coastal salmon runs and the dependent eco-systems.
I believe Vancouver Island Brewery also had a donation effort ongoing on site over the weekend and they should be supported for their efforts to the cause. Hope more to come!
