Located west of Victoria, Sooke became incorporated in 1999. With an
estimated population of over 12,000, Sooke is divided into distinct areas
known as Sooke Proper, East Sooke, Broomhill, Saseenos, Sooke River, Whiffin
Spit and "the West Coast Road." There is a growing business
section in the downtown core, good schools, sports facilities and an excellent
museum.
Sooke offers a variety of recreational activities reflecting its natural
surroundings. Excellent fishing, boating, hunting, hiking and horseback
riding are available. The area contains an abundance of lakes, parks and
nature trails including the Galloping Goose linear park, East Sooke Park,
Sooke Pot Holes, the well-known Sooke Harbour, the world-renowned West
Coast Trail and Botanical Beach at Port Renfrew, and the West Coast Trail's
new extension of the Juan de Fuca marine park to Jordan River. Sooke also
offers one of the world's best surfing beaches. The biggest event of the
year is "All Sooke Days." Golfers can enjoy the Phillips John
Memorial Golf Club.
Sooke is a popular tourist area boasting the world famous "Sooke
Harbor House" and a large number of private bed and breakfast facilities
and country lodges tucked away in the woods and usually on the waterfront.
It also has a local government wharf and private marinas.
Sooke falls under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The community also has a well-trained ambulance service and a volunteer
fire department. Parts of the community are served by a municipal water
system, however there are large areas that are served by private wells
and community water systems. Septic tanks and septic fields are the norm
though some areas are serviced by private sewage system. Garbage collection
is done on a private basis.
