GREATER VICTORIA – Omicron Development Inc. and Lotus Capital Corp. have filed a development application with the City of Colwood for Seaspan Victoria Shipyards, a nearly four-acre site that is part of Allendale District, a twenty-acre mixed-use centre located at Memorial Parkway and allandale Road. Lotus and Omicro plan to build 81,500 square feet of office and warehouse space to consolidate its South Island supply chain operations once permits are secured.
Victoria councillors have approved an initial proposal to build a large storage silo to house materials for making concrete at 2800 Bridge Street, the site of a new concrete plant. The 32-metre silo would feature thousands of LED lights as a design element, and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse emissions for the plant.
The BC government has purchased property at 1176 Yates Street for a project that would provide up to forty homes for vulnerable members of the community. The site was purchased for $1.8 million, and will provide self-contained studio homes with on-site 24/7 on-site staff, amongst other support amenities. A non-profit housing provider will be hired to manage the building.
A new urgent and primary care centre will open in a temporary space in Esquimalt late spring 2021, providing access to services for locals with extended hours of care. This will be the fourth centre announced under the province’s primary health strategy for Island Health.
Uber is in the final stages of approval, and is expected to be operational in Victoria by Christmas. The service has already been up and running in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley for six months. Uber recently submitted their application to the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in all regions in the province.
The Sooke School District has elected Farmer Construction Ltd. to take on the $55.2 million dollar construction project to build Pexsisen Elementary and Centre Mountain Lellum Middle schools in Langford. Farmer Construction will be using a number of south Island sub-contractors, including architectural designs by HCMA. Construction will begin in late September and is estimated to be complete by September 2022.
Rather than ship excess dirt away from the McKenzie Interchange construction site, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) have opted to form a large, flat-topped berm beside the Trans Canada Highway in Cuthbert Holmes Park. The District of Saanich has an agreement with the ministry for landscaping to be added, with Friends of Cuthbert Holmes Park and Saanich Parks, Recreation and Community Services involved in developing a landscaping plan that includes native trees and plants to enhance the nearby park.
The City of Langford is selling just under two acres of property at 2855 Westshore Pkwy. and 1365 Goldstream Ave. to Canwest Hotels for $5 million. Site plans include a hotel, standalone restaurant, and thirty townhomes. Projected to cost in the area of $30 million, hotel construction would begin next summer, with completion targeted for May of 2022.
The Mount Newton Centre Society’s loan cupboard is offering medical equipment to Saanich Peninsula residents. Walkers, canes, hospital beds, recliners and more will be handed out on a donation basis for the first three months, with longer rentals up to $5 per month for smaller items, and up to $50 for larger equipment. Linda Dolphin, spokesperson for the loan cupboard, says the aim of the service is to get medical equipment to those in need who have been discharged from hospitals. The equipment is fully cleaned and sterilized with hospital-grade products prior to each rental.
Victoria has installed its first zero waste stations at the corner of Government and Humboldt streets to improve composting and recycling options. Mayor Lisa Helps notes that over one tonne of waste is generated every day in Victoria streets and parks, costing the city over $5 million a year to manage. The zero waste stations reduce landfill stress, and require less contact and lifting from city workers.
The BC Ministry of Health has announced an investment of $2.6 million in annual funding and a one-time fund of about $1.1 million through Island Health to increase capacity and improve access to the Island Sexual Health Community Centre in Victoria. The investment will allow the Island Sexual Health Society to hire additional health professionals, add examination rooms, meeting spaces and more. Renovations are expected to be complete in fall 2020.
The University of Victoria will house the National Centre for Indigenous Laws thanks to $9.1 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments. Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Melanie Mark, has committed $13 million towards the construction of the Centre, expanding on the Anne and Murray Fraser (Law) Building at UVic by 2,440 Square metres. Additionally, the Law Foundation of BC is providing $5 million toward the project.
The BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) has applied to the City of Victoria to open a cannabis retail store in the Bay Centre. The application was filed August 5 to rezone 1150 Douglas Street for cannabis retail. If approved, the BC Cannabis Store would occupy a 1300 square foot retail space, with an estimated opening date of late spring or early summer 2021.
The Royal BC Museum has purchased the adjacent IMAX theatre from Destination Cinema Inc. for $3.8 million through a government grant. Made as part of a long term plan to modernize the museum, the purchase will bring the IMAX experience into the museum’s operations, according to CEO Professor and CEO Jack Lohman.
The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), in partnership with over 120 stakeholders from business, government and non-profit sectors has provided a detailed, forty-point action plan to instigate economic growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst other things, it calls for investment in retraining workers, providing financial support for businesses and strengthening calls to shop local. The release of the full SIPP economic recovery strategy will occur during Rising Economic Week this coming November.
Royal Jubilee Hospital will receive critical care equipment thanks to funds raised through the It’s Critical campaign, launched in April by the Victoria Hospital Foundation. Having already raised $1 million, the donations will facilitate opening of an interim high acuity unit (HAU) at Royal Jubilee Hospital in October, giving care teams increased capacity to provide critical care and manage surges during flu season, the COVID-19 pandemic and other casualty scenarios such as natural disasters.
Compass Mexican Bistro has updated their menu. The made-from-scratch eatery at 1770 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Road offers authentic Mexican food, from fish tacos to quesadillas and more, with take out and delivery options.
Elite Self Storage is opening later this month at 4402 Westshore Pkwy, in Victoria.
Jonathan Candee is new senior vice president for global sales with HYAS
HYAS, a leader in threat intelligence, adversary infrastructure, and attribution based in Victoria has appointed Jonathan Candee as Senior Vice President for Global Sales. Jonathan has over twenty years’ experience driving revenue growth and scaling organizations in the internet technology sphere.
Hillside Veterinary Hospital congratulates Dr. Michelle Lareau for completing the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society program while Dr. Kristin Zajaczkowski and Dr. Devin Keller have completed the Canine Rehabilitation Institute program.
Crust Bakery at 730 Fort Street has expanded and opened a Kiosk at Uptown Mall. Owners Crystal and Tom Moore offer artisan breads, finger foods and pastries. Online delivery is available.
Trio Ready Mix, a division of the Ralmax Group, is proposing to build a 32-metre silo to store raw aggregate materials at 2800 Bridge St. on the Gorge Waterway. The silo offers environmental advantages.
Urban Grocers at the junction of Oak Bay Ave. and Fort St are set to open September and plant to revive the grocery tradition.
