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Aug 1 - Banfield bummer: advisory at swimming dock
Our August events listings are out
Capital Daily Team
August 01, 2025
Good morning !
I’m pretty jazzed about Symphony Splash making its return tomorrow and Sunday.
That reminds me to remind you that the Inner Harbour is going to be pretty wall-to-wall over the weekend and there are going to be road closures in and around the legislature and in James Bay.
It’s a holiday weekend for many and we know the drill: walk, bike or bus if you can to avoid traffic chaos, and get to the ferry early if you’re travelling. Also due to the holiday, we will not be putting out a newsletter on Tues. Aug. 5. We’ll be off enjoying the holiday Monday as well. But back to regular scheduling on Wednesday!
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Hot summer bummer: sewage spill stymies swimmers
Despite the advisory signs, the Banfield Park Dock was initially busy with swimmers yesterday. Photo: Mark Brennae / Capital Daily
The city released more details yesterday about why one of the area’s most enticing swimming waterholes is under an advisory. No. 1. Yes, it’s a shame because it’s the August long weekend and the weather is fabulous. No. 2. Yes, it’s all because of No. 2.
An unknown amount of sewage spilled into the Gorge near Banfield Park Dock in Vic West. The spill came from a temporary replacement pipe as CRD crews work on a nearby construction site.
“This is a specific result of some temporary measures that are in place to accommodate construction,” William Doyle, director of engineering and public works, told reporters gathered yesterday at City Hall.
Doyle said it was unclear how much sewage had spilled into the waterway but that a temporary repair had been made. He said the construction was expected to continue for another seven weeks, so a permanent fix to the piping problem will have to wait until then.
In the early afternoon yesterday, Banfield Park Dock was teeming with sunbathers on the swim platform—part of a $300K project completed last June—and a handful of young swimmers cooled off next to it in the Gorge, but as word got ‘round that they hadn’t stopped to read two nearby signs indicating “Swimming is not recommended due to a sewage spill into the Gorge,” the place began to empty out.
Back at City Hall, when asked when the advisory would be dropped and swimming could resume, Doyle said it was up to Island Health, which issues those warnings.
“The message to swimmers would be to keep an eye on Island Health advisories and hope that the necessary testing results come through that can provide the reassurances for public health,” he said.
City of Victoria spokesperson Colleen Mycroft said the city has asked Island Health to expedite water testing.
“They took a sample yesterday, and my understanding is that they're sampling today,“ she said.
Island Health’s advisories have sidelined a few popular watersport spots including Leigh Road Beach at Langford Lake, Esquimalt Lagoon, Thetis Lake Beach, Prior Lake, Elk Lake Hamsterly East and West, Elk Lake Eagles Beach, Ross Bay Beach, Beaver Lake and Art Mann Park.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Esquimalt has a new officer in charge. [VicPD]
Reminder: Capital Daily’s summer Sat. hiatus continues. See you on Sun!
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
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EVENTS
August sings with great events to celebrate summer
Symphony Splash in Victoria's Inner Harbour. Photo: Victoria Symphony
We’re already into August—the peak of the summer—and there are a bunch of festivals, concerts and events just beckoning those who love the outdoors.
August traditionally means majestic or venerable, which pretty much describes the Symphony Splash—a respected and very much missed outdoor event.
Steep production expenses and ever-increasing insurance costs put the kibosh on the classical music concert for five years. But the province provided a grant and the City of Victoria kicked in some cash so the Victoria Symphony can kick it from a barge out on the water, and thousands can ring the Inner Harbour to watch and listen.
It’s a two-day (and still free) event now—and it’s very popular, so get there early tomorrow. It’s going to be a pretty good way to celebrate the Victoria Symphony’s big 8-5.
The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is 31 years young, and will have the Inner Harbour buzzing next weekend as dozens of very cool and very fast dragon boats take centre wave.
Other highlights this month include the vibrant Viva Victoria Latin Fest and the engaging Victoria Fringe Festival, which wraps up the month with 12 days of theatrical entertainment.
Whether you're looking for family-friendly outdoor activities, live music, or unique cultural experiences, August delivers something for everyone.
SPONSORED BY THE GARDEN CITY ELECTRONIC MUSIC SOCIETY
Wonderment's 10th Edition at Beacon Hill Park
Wonderment returns to the Beacon Hill Park Cameron Bandshell with an evening of electro-acoustic ambient music and immersive audio-visual performances.
Headlining the event is the 2022 Juno Nominees for Global Music Album, Ruby Singh's Vox.Infold is a supergroup of regional artists, including PIQSIQ (pictured here at Wonderment 2022), Russell Wallace, Hussein Janmohamed, Tiffany Moses, Piu, and Ruby Singh. This will be a live audio-visual performance starting at 9:30pm and featuring video art by Ruby Singh and the award-winning Chimerik projected on a large screen.
Also performing are ECM Records artist Samuel Rohrer (Switzerland, jazz percussion meets modular synthesis), Vancouver's Elisa Thorn (Harp and Electronics), Eva Pekárová (Slovakian Shepherd's Flute and Electronics), and locals Faun.a, Zügellos and the Lekwungen Dancers.
The event runs from 4pm to 10:30pm. There is no concession on site, so come prepared with water, sunscreen, food, and mosquito repellent for performances at dusk, and pack-it-in, pack-it-out to keep the environmental footprint light.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🧷 Victoria Fringe Festival tickets go on sale today.
🦢 Experience the benefits of forest bathing at Swan Lake. Join our guided session on Aug. 11. Just $15 to relax and reconnect with nature.*
🧢 2025 Canadian Little League Championships at Layritz Park in Saanich.
🥤 Ready to glow from the inside out? Join the free 30-Day Smoothie Challenge—sign up anytime in August to receive nourishing daily recipes in your inbox.*
📽️ From King Kong to Scooby Doo 2: outdoor movies in Beacon Hill Park.
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
UVic president announces he’s resigning, effective today
Just five months ago, he was reappointed for another five-year term; yesterday, he announced he is leaving, and effective today, Kevin Hall is gone. In a release, UVic’s board of governors said Hall “has accepted a role as president and CEO of an international university.” UVic said details would come from that institution in the coming days, and that the process for Hall’s replacement would begin immediately. [UVic]
Tourism group wants to accelerate the building of new hotels
Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) says the working group would team with municipalities to quicken the development process. DGV, which represents the travel and holiday industry in the region, not solely Victoria, says the area needs 2K new hotel rooms in the next decade. It points to a 92% hotel occupancy in June—a 7.4% rise from last year—and to what may turn into a record tourism year. CEO Paul Nursey says there are developers interested in building hotels in the region, and it would be prudent to take them up on it swiftly. [Times Colonist]
Animal group proposes ‘pet bonus’ and ‘pet tax credit’
Dog and cat owners can attest to how expensive it can be to have a pet, and an animal advocacy group is asking the province to help out. The Society for British Columbia Public Guardians and Animals (BC SPGA) is proposing a baby bonus-style non-taxable stipend of $75 for families whose pets weigh 10 lbs or less and an annual animal bonus of $105 for those weighing more. In addition, the BC SPGA is floating a yearly “pet tax credit” that would allow pet owners to claim up to $5K in animal expenses. [CHEK]
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🗓️ Things to do
🚴 Pedaling for Parkinson’s: Spinning Wheel Tour. Riding in 10 provinces to raise awareness of Parkinson's and the benefits of exercise in alleviating symptoms. Sendoff at Parkinson Wellness Projects on Blanshard. Tomorrow. 9-10am. [Info]
🎭 Buskers in Victoria: Market Square entrance today from 3-4:30pm and at the Broad Street Parklet from 5-6:30pm. Tomorrow at Market Square entrance from 12-1:30pm. Lower Bastion Square from 3-4:30pm. Johnson Street Bridge from 5-6:30pm. Wharf Street Plaza from 6:30-8pm. [Info]
🎼 The National Youth Orchestra of Canada: Canada's most talented young musicians tackle Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 under conductor Naomi Woo. Christ Church Cathedral. Today. 7:30-9:30pm. [Info]
🏖️ Groove Kitchen's Beach Boogie: Celebrate summer with ocean vibes, swimwear, sandy scenes, and maximum dance mania mixing pop, funk, and Latin hits. Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. 7-9:30pm. $25. [Info]
🎵 Mostly Motown: Get your groove on with the soulful sounds and classic hits that defined a generation, featuring talented local performers bringing those iconic rhythms to life. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🛒 Moss Street Market: Your weekly dose of local vendors, fresh finds, and community connection in one of Victoria's most beloved neighborhood markets. Moss Street. Tomorrow. 10am-2pm. [Info]
💃 ViVa! Victoria Latin Fest: Two days of vibrant Latin culture, music, dance, and flavours that'll transport you straight to the heart of Latin America. Centennial Square. Tomorrow & Sun. All day. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Thursday’s headlines: Old tree wins out in Saanich; Keating Cross flyover ready for you; Tsunami watch lifted. [July 31]
Vancouver Island waters turn a tropical blue hue by algae blooms. [Capital Daily]
No swimming: Add Banfield Park Dock to beach advisory list. [Island Health]
Lawsuit back on: The mother of a man killed by VicPD in 2014 is suing the officers involved. [Times Colonist]
Cameron Lake (east of Port Alberni) fire is out of control. [CBC]
Shiny new toy: Saanich Fire gets multi-use emergency truck. [CHEK]
That’s it!
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