News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Kelsey Spannier
Kelsey Spannier, has been named the new Events Specialist at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
In collaboration with L.A. Limousines & Transportation Services, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, and the Flying Otter Grill, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will provide preferred rates and exclusive discounts to guests attending the 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards Ceremony at the Victoria Conference Centre on May 7th.
Kamila Calko, with more than 20 years of experience in the marine industry, is starting a program called SeaLight to “revitalize the industry through education and empowerment” and to encourage more women to work in the maritime sector.
Providence Living at The Views, new long-term living model in Comox modelled after a dementia village, has received a $1 million donation from the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation.
Capital Iron located at 1862 heritage building on Store Street, which has been acquired by Fred Aram, is opening as Capital Iron Home Store.
Sixty-six electric buses are on order from two pre-qualified suppliers, Nova Bus and New Flyer. Additionally, nine communities throughout BC have transit electrification infrastructure projects getting started. In total, BC Transit expects to install approximately 134 new electric bus charging points over the next two years in Chilliwack, Kamloops, Kelowna, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler. Bus allocations to each community will be confirmed as the projects progress.
Acera Insurance, formerly Megson FitzPatrick Insurance, has named Genevieve Pinard as its February WOW Award winner.
RE/MAX Camosun is pleased to announce the addition of John MacDonald, Ryan Cook, Andy Foda and Cody White, to its team as licensed REALTORS®.
The Garden Centre has recently opened in Victoria: The Bay St. Castle can be found at 220 Bay St., while the Cook St. Castle is located at 1720 Cook St.
Evolution Health Clinics has officially opened at 110-2871 Jacklin Road, Victoria.
Registration is now open for Junior Golf Clinic and Camps at Highland Pacific Golf, 450 Creed Road.
Camosun College has been recognized for its outstanding efforts in Indigenous education, earning the prestigious bronze award of excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada.
Camosun College introduces tuition-free technology programs for indigenous communities and women, with an emphasis on computer sciences, mechanical and electrical engineering, and civil engineering. These programs are supported by a one-time funding of $60,000 and a capital allocation of $180,000 from the government.
The Open a Door Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, which assists local families purchase affordable homes, will be held until May 23 in the Centre Court of the Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street.
Rosemead House, previously the English Inn, in Esquimalt is undergoing a major makeover. Lenny Moy’s Vancouver-based Aragon Properties plans to launch the restaurant in June, followed in September by the opening of 28 hotel rooms and the Salt and Ivy spa.
After a six-day shutdown due to a cybersecurity incident, London Drugs has started to gradually reopen its outlets.
As part of its attempts to develop more affordable housing in BC, the province opened applications for a $40 million low-interest loan program. The three-year incentive program would assist homeowners build secondary suites at Castle Building Centre on Bay Street in Vic West.
Victoria Compost Education Centre at Haegert Park, 1202 Yukon St., will hold its annual May plant sale on May 11th at 1216 North Park St.
Immigrants looking for work or career opportunities in Greater Victoria’s hospitality and tourism sector are invited to a job fair on May 23rd, hosted by the Gateway to Tourist and Hospitality Program.
Float House Victoria is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a sale that will last the entire month of May.
Developer PCRE Group and the project’s marketing and sales team, Rennie Real-Estate, anticipate the spring introduction of the Bella Park condominiums as the newest pre-sales phase at Colwood’s Royal Bay.
Harbour Air has announced a groundbreaking direct service to The Butchart Gardens, offering an exclusive travel experience beginning June 12th. The 30 minute scenic seaplane service will operate from downtown Vancouver to The Butchart Gardens. It provides travelers with unparalleled access to the breathtaking floral displays and serene landscapes of this world-famous 55 acre attraction, via The Butchart Cove wharf. The tour package includes a flight to the gardens, two hours of admission to explore the grounds, and a return flight to downtown Vancouver.
Gordy Scutt
Gordy Scutt has been named as the new head golf professional at Royal Colwood Golf Club.
Eye Etiquette Optical Boutique is celebrating its 17th anniversary in business.
The WestShore Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its newest member, A.R.T. Electric.
Transition Sooke and the non-profit Sooke Region Food CHI are spearheading the effort to convince the district to establish new community gardens in parks or other green areas. The organization’s mission is to promote health, wellness, and sustainable urban living.
The provincial government and Sooke School District 62 are funding the new school that is being built by the Kinetic Construction Limited in south Langford, which will be called SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ (pronounced schee-ay-nuh ska-leetk-luth), which means “salmon children” in the SENĆOŦEN language.
Sooke Oceanside Brewery, located at 5871 Sooke Road, has announced its extended operating hours in time for the summer.
Raechel Gray
The new chief administrative officer of Sooke is Raechel Gray.
Slegg Building Materials is hosting the annual Build a Boat Challenge on July 1st at Beacon Park, 9801 Seaport PI, Sidney.
Smør Scandinavian Bakery and Cafe, owned by Leah Hayward, will be open in Sidney Centre at 104-2736 Bevan Avenue in early summer.
Construction work is currently underway on a section of Beacon Ave. between Second St. and Third St., which is expected to continue until next week. Local businesses in the area are still open and operating as usual.
Jim and Brenda Courtney have sold Bevan Bistro/Jazzaniah Catering after 25 years of ownership and are now retiring.
Dot Naturals, a one-stop shop for all your natural product needs, owned by Emily Morrison, will open in downtown Sidney at 2449 Beacon Ave.
Sapodilla’s Smoothies & Juice Cafe has recently opened at 2378 Beacon Ave., which is run by Trevor Millington and his family.
Royal Roads University, Camosun College, UVic, and the Justice Institute of British Columbia have collaborated to establish the West Shore Campus on Goldstream Avenue, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2025.
Code Ninjas Westshore, located at 890 Goldstream Ave, Langford has officially launched its summer camps.
Auxilium Mortgage has moved to its new office location at #16, Unit 211-2840 Peatt Road, Victoria.
Beacon Community Services proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Since its inception in 1974, Beacon has been dedicated to uplifting lives, fostering resilience, and empowering individuals and families in the South Island and Gulf Islands. Beacon has adapted to meet the changing landscape of social challenges, from supporting seniors with essential care and companionship to empowering youth through housing, education, and skill-building.
On May11th at the Bob Wright Centre at UVIC, the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and at Camosun College Interurban, the University of Victoria and Camosun College will partner to host Science Rendezvous Victoria, featueing a wider range of STEM activities.
The Esquimalt Chamber welcomes new members: Raeside Heating and Cooling, Lambrick Park Preschool and Childcare Centre, Muse Mind & Body Studio, Hanna Verhagen – Creative Business Lab and Panago Pizza Esquimalt.
The Township Community Arts Council (TCAC) is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year with a full lineup of fabulous arts and entertainment programs for the Esquimalt community.
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