Langford, British Columbia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Langford
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settlement_type = City
motto = Golden in setting, determined in spirit


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mapsize = 220px
map_caption = Location of Langford in British Columbia


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = BC
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Vancouver Island
subdivision_type3 = Regional district
subdivision_name3 = Capital
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leader_title = Governing body
leader_name = Langford City Council
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Stewart Young
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1851
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = December 8, 1992
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area_total_km2 = 39.55
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 22,459
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = −8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = −7
latd= 48|latm= 27|lats= 2|latNS=N
longd= 123|longm= 30|longs= 21|longEW=W
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elevation_m = 76
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blank_name = Highways
blank_info = 1, 14
blank1_name = Waterways
blank1_info = Saanich Inlet
website = [http://district.langford.bc.ca City of Langford]
footnotes = Langford is a city of 22,459 residents on southern Vancouver Island, within the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is considered one of Greater Victoria's Western Communities.

History

Langford was named after Captain Edward Langford, who established a Hudson's Bay Company farm in the area in 1851. Langford was incorporated as a district municipality in December 1992. Prior to incorporation Langford's reputation suffered because of some unattractive development; it was sneered at and referred to by some as a "dogpatch".Fact|date=July 2008 During the mid to late 1980s the community had one of the highest residential break and enter rates in Canada, and it was not uncommon to see groups of up to 100 delinquents and thugs hanging out in front of convenience stores and in front of the local arcade, selling dope and stolen property, and getting into fistfights.Fact|date=July 2008 Following incorporation, the city has made a concerted effort at attracting development and undertaking civic improvements, including the landscaping of the central business centre and the construction of new roads and pathways. A notable development following the city's embrace of rapid-fire growth was the creation of the Bear Mountain golf resort, which has been the source of controversy.

Things to see and do

A new park was also built in remembrance of Canadian war veterans. It can be found on the southeast corner of the city's main traffic intersection: Veterans Memorial Parkway and Goldstream Avenue. Although the pace of development and some planning decisions (particularly "big-box" retail developments) have attracted criticism, the community continues to grow rapidly. It is the largest municipality in the Western Communities, and third-largest in the Capital Regional District after Saanich and Victoria. It serves as the commercial hub for the Western Communities. Things to do in Langford include shopping at Westshore Town Centre (formerly Canwest Mall) and taking in some county-fair style amusement and food at Luxton Fair, which takes place in mid-September at the local fairgrounds. Visitors can also participate in go-karting and mini-golfing, and watch stock-car racing, at Western Speedway. One of Canada seacadet corp is HMCS Beaconhill on Dunford Road. There are many lakes in the area, including Langford, Glen and Florence Lakes, and the CRD regional park, Mill Hill Park.

Physical features

Notable physical features of Langford include the three prominent lakes (Langford Lake, Glen Lake and Florence Lake) and the Humpback reservoir, several peaks such as Mount Finlayson and Mount Wells, and the famous Goldstream Provincial Park. The Malahat drive, part of the Trans-Canada Highway, begins in Langford, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and the E and N Railway go through the city.

Langford neighbourhoods

* Florence Lake
* Glen Lake
* Goldstream
* Luxton
* Millstream
* Ravenwood
* Thetis Heights

Famous people

*Len Barrie
*Moka Only
*Bob Rock
*Ryder Hesjedal

Education

Langford is a part of the School District 62 Sooke.It is home to one of Vancouver Island's largest high schools Belmont, also there is the Lighthouse Christian Academy which is serving Kindergarten to Grade 10.

Notable features

Langford is directly connected to its neighbour Colwood. The current city council has recently enjoyed praise regarding the upkeep and tidiness of the central business district. Winner of Provincial blooming award in 2007, Langford council has also set up a programme for affordable housing. Every year in mid-December, Langford hosts an annual fire truck parade which features decorated fire trucks from around the province. Most recently, Langford has plans to build the first Canadian community based on the LEED environmental standard.

Bear Mountain Tree-Sit Protest

Langford made news in early 2008 as a growing protest brought attention to a conflict surrounding Bear Mountain Resort. Protestors against the development claimed that the construction of the country club and high-end resort community desecrated sacred First Nations caves located on their property. A "tree sit blockade" was made to protest the resort. It was ended with a large Emergency Response Team operation when roughly 50 S.W.A.T. team officers raided the area. Three protestors were arrested. Charges against the protesters were later dropped in May of 2008.Fact|date=July 2008

External links

* [http://www.cityoflangford.ca/ City of Langford]
* [http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/ Goldstream News-Gazette, a local bi-weekly circulation]
* [http://www.sd62.bc.ca/ School District 62 (Sooke)]