News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Susie Grynol
Susie Grynol, who has been appointed vice president at Marriott International, submitted her resignation from the role of president and CEO, as announced by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), effective June 3rd, 2024.
Eron Main and Brianna Davey have been appointed by the BC Games Society to lead Team BC’s presence for the St. John’s 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland and Labrador. The games will take place from August 8-24, 2025.
Shawn Hensen, an industry professional with almost two decades of expertise in global manufacturing and prior employment with Rivian and Tesla, has been appointed as Technical Consultant at Energy Plug, a Vancouver-based energy technology firm committed to sustainability and innovation.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Asian Art Gallery has been renamed the Roger Lee Gallery of Asian Art.
Avalon has won UVic’s Best Co-op Employer of the Year award for 2023.
Reliance Properties, a Vancouver-based developer, plans to convert a two-block, seven-acre structure on Store Street into an arts and innovation district.
Darryl Wilson
Darryl Wilson of Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria On The Harbour and Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria Uptown, BC, was honoured at the Days Inns ‑ Canada Awards of Recognition for 2023 with the title of GM of the Year.
Great Little Box Company Ltd./Ideon Packaging (GLBC) won Bronze at the 31st Annual Gold Leaf Awards of the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA).
Max Space, a private space corporation, unveiled their expandable space habitat on April 9, 2024, at the 39th Space Symposium. The organization credited ALUULA Composites Inc. (“ALUULA”) material for reinforcing the structure of the habitat.
The “Open a Door” charity art auction, which aims to promote stability, independence, and fortitude among families in Greater Victoria, launched on April 22 at the Centre Court of the Mayfair Shopping Centre, located at 3147 Douglas Street, Victoria.
The Maritime Museum of BC announced that the 1897 built-in-Victoria sailing vessel Dorothy, recent winner of an international Classic Boat Award, will be returning to Victoria on Saturday, 27 April 2024 as part of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s Opening Day Celebration.
The Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA in Victoria has been honoured at the 2023 Coast Hotels Awards with Coast Rewards Members’ Choice awards.
The University of Victoria has been awarded the STARS platinum sustainability rating, joining a select group of fourteen post-secondary institutions globally.
Harbour Air will be purchasing 50 electric airplane engines from Washington business magniX beginning in 2026.
On April 25, the Victoria Regional Transit System has introduced new hardware called New Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), replacing the NextRide system, that is said to provide riders with real-time location of their bus and will improve transportation.
Through the joint efforts of the CRD, the federal and provincial governments, and the City of Victoria, over $8.7 million will be invested to construct hundreds of public EV charging ports throughout the Capital Regional District (CRD).
Western Canada’s London Drugs outlets have all been forced to temporarily close due to a cybersecurity incident.
Construction on Gorge Road safety improvements has begun. The project from Blanshard Street to Harriet Road includes protected bike lanes, road paving, bus stop and accessibility upgrades, new and upgraded crosswalks, traffic signal upgrades, right turn slip lane removal, landscaping and underground water main replacement. The $13.2 million project is being built with $5.6 million of support from the Canada Community-Building Fund, which is administered by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
Victoria City Council has approved $150,000 in annual funding grants to continue activating the Victoria Music Strategy and invest in Victoria’s music ecosystem. These funds will support innovative projects to make Victoria a dynamic music hub and a global music destination. Funding will support the music sector to leverage what currently exists in the local music community and address gaps such as affordable spaces for music production, rehearsal and performances. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $50,000 per organization, for one project per year.
The Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation and Sidney by the Sea Rotary are hosting the 10th Annual Lobsterfest on June 1st at the Mary Winspear Centre.
Food trucks and Christmas tree vendors now have it easier to set up shop in Saanich parks, recreation facilities, and even at the municipal hall, thanks to a decision by the city council. While sellers are still required to get ark permits, councillors instructed staff to amend the district’s zoning regulations on Monday, April 22, to relax restrictions on these businesses.
A 3-year employment extension has been agreed to by Dean Duthie, the chief constable of the Saanich Police Department.
Cody White, a licensed Realtor has joined RE/MAX Camosun.
On May 15, 2024, the WestShore Chamber of Commerce will hold a Membership Mixer at the WorkLink Employment Society, located at 3179 Jacklin Rd.
The Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC) of the Capital Regional District (CRD) announced that on May 6th, the community will be invited to participate in the creation of a concept design for the Sooke Skate Park renewal project at the SEAPARC Recreation Centre, located at 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke.
The Province unveiled a new rental complex in Sooke, offering 170 housing units for Indigenous individuals and families at 2075 Drennan St. This project is a part of a massive $19-billion housing investment made by the B.C. government.
According to the Victoria Real Estate Board‘s monthly market update, 588 Greater Victoria houses sold in March to start the spring sales season. There were 286 single-family homes sold via the Multiple Listings Service (MLS) between Sooke and Sidney at an average price of $1,293,840, up from 281 in March 2023 and $1,225,446. March median was $1,132,500, up from $1,080,000 last year. The average for March is the highest since September 2023’s $1.34 million.
The Days Inn by Wyndham Victoria Airport Sidney received the New Property of the Year award at the 2023 Days Inns Canada Awards of Recognition.
The BC Boat Show, organized by the British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association, is scheduled to take place at Port Sidney Marina between May 2nd and 5th.
Sapodilla’s Smoothies & Juice Cafe has recently opened at 2378 Beacon Ave.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Esquimalt has reopened at 22 Admirals Road following a six-year closure.
Town of Sidney Council gave final approval to the Town of Sidney’s 2024-2028 Financial Plan with a general tax increase of 5.94% – lower than the expected increase of 6.04%.
The 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards are only one week away!
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