The largest construction project in Sooke history moved forward in a big way Monday night with municipal councillors approving the second phase of the Mariner's Village development.

The $300-million mixeduse waterfront project is predicted to transform the former logging and fishing community of about 11,400 when completed over the next few years. Phase 2 is a large component that will be built over the next two years, said developer Mike Barrie.

When all the nails have been pounded, the development will consist of 110,000 square feet of commercial space, 30,000 square feet of offices and 370 condos and townhouses, stretched across five prime hectares of real estate near the Sooke Basin.

Residents are already moving into townhouses and condos built during the first phase. The next round of construction - the second of eight phases - will provide density in the downtown and increase the number of businesses and services, all of which are essential in the effort to keep more Victoria commuters closer to home.

None of that is lost on Barrie. "It's pretty amazing to not just be part of building something like this, but changing a town," he said.

Barrie is a majority owner with Fort St. John oilpatch entrepreneur Rick Quigley. There are five other minor partners, including Graeme Harder, the company's chief financial officer.

He started piecing together the property five and a half years ago, acquiring the former Manuel Quimper hotel and adding parcels.

"Just building something wasn't motivation enough for us, but when we had an opportunity to change a town, that's what's driven us," Barrie said. "We don't want to blow that. We take that very seriously."

While the economy has severely hobbled major developments across the province, Mariner's Village has grinded on. The initial cluster of 33 condos and 16 townhomes called Navigator's Point are completed, with residents already moving into units on the first three floors of the four-storey building.

Thirty-nine of the townhouses and condos are currently sold.

Barrie is excited for the second phase, Merchant's Landing, which will consist of the key commercial components, including a medical centre, a food market, fitness centre, boutiques, anchor drug store and underground parking.

Barrie says he is working with provincial health authorities to double the number of physicians in Sooke to 12, with a medical centre component in the commercial phase to be completed in two years.

A Sooke mother having lunch at McDonald's with her two children said it's impossible to find a family doctor in town. She has to travel to Langford for appointments.

Plans for Mariner's Village include expanding the marina from 38 slips to 120. There will also be a waterfront pub on pilings, marine businesses and pool and spa, all designed to drive extra traffic and businesses. It's also the nugget behind tourism expansion and meshes with the new $50-million, 122-room Prestige Oceanfront Resort and Convention Centre that opened last year.

Barrie said discussions have been in the works with floatplane operators, which would deliver travellers from the mainland and Washington state. A customs office would provide another international gateway to Vancouver Island.

Public access to the marina will also be enhanced with plans to extend a boardwalk from the impressive Ed Macgregor Park.

"We designated the most valuable part of our property so that it's available to the public," Barrie said.

"People used to drive through Sooke and they didn't even know it's on the water. Now, people have access to it and the residents still get their privacy."

Local suppliers, businesses and trades are benefiting from the construction. All of the distinct finish cedar on the exterior of the initial buildings has been harvested in the area and cut in local mills. Most of the on-site jobs are local as well, said Barrie, who expects to employ about 270 workers during Phase 2.

Barrie said the company has gone under its allowed density by about 120 units chiefly to meet costs, but also to increase parking and preserve views and green space on the site.