Thurs. June 22 - Centennial Square to lose its fountain

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Today we look at the updated plans for Centennial Square, including the addition of a splash pad, new foliage, and seating. But with these changes, comes the end of some iconic downtown fixtures, such as the fountain.

We’d love to know how you feel about these changes to downtown’s main square!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with possible morning fog. High 23C / low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (3/10), possible light smoke on the South Island.

NEWS

City plans Centennial Square reno with splash pad, indoor area—and no fountain 

The City of Victoria will spend $750,000 on consultations for the design of the renovated Centennial Square.

Work on the square will occur in phases, starting with a new splash pad replacing the decades-old central fountain. Several play elements, trees, and a commercial kiosk will be added, along with new event seating on the steps and in shaded areas, and improved accessibility. City staff say that this will “enhance the Square’s overall appeal as a welcoming destination,” tying it in with the ongoing plans to beautify downtown.

Later phases include converting the undercroft near City Hall to an indoor multi-use space and improving transit options on the east side of the square. One of the goals is to see commercial opportunities grow near the square in order to better connect to the city’s eventual Government Street revitalization.

Centennial Square was created to mark Victoria’s 100th birthday, with neighbouring municipalities gifting the fountain to celebrate the city’s milestone. Its most recent updates came in 2009, with the addition of Spirit Square at the southwest corner, marked by two totem poles.

Capital Bulletin

🔥 Category 1 open fire ban partly lifted: Campfires are permitted again on the North Island and Central Coast, but not on the Central and South Island and Gulf Islands.

🎈 Meet Your Street grant program: Central Saanich will fund neighbourhood block parties to help bring communities together.

🌳 Parks temporarily closed for Hwy 4 that are reopening include MacMillan Park (Cathedral Grove) and picnic areas in Little Qualicum Falls.

🚲 New connecting path in Saanich: The pedestrian and cycling path connects Tolmie Park to Swan Lake and the Lochside Trail.

NEWS

Petition to keep dogs off leash in Saanich parks grows

More than 7,000 dog owners and supporters have signed the petition calling on Saanich council to stop plans to limit park areas where dogs can be off leash. They’re concerned dog owners will have fewer places to bring their pets to run freely, and that changes to the parks will cost too much.

Saanich’s People, Pets and Parks strategy was released at the end of May to mixed reactions from residents. The drafted strategy estimates that between $5.3 and $7.1M would be invested in its implementation. In a statement released by Saanich on June 15, the municipality clarified that dedicated off-leash areas would remain in 57 of Saanich’s parks. Dedicated off-leash areas would include either leash-optional areas with either no or full fencing or leash-optional trails. Twelve of those parks would have permanent fenced leash-optional areas including PKOLS (Mount Douglas), Lambrick, and Hyacinth. Under the strategy, Cordova Bay would be the only beach with permanent leash-optional access.

Last month, Capital Daily reported Saanich council had indicated the drafted plan aimed to address reports from community members of dog behaviour and lack of control, as well as effects on sensitive wildlife areas.

Responses from our subsequent poll indicated nearly 1,300—or 62%—of respondents thought dogs should only be off leash in designated areas, while just less than 300—or 14%—of respondents believed dogs should be allowed off leash in all parks.

Do you think dogs should be allowed off leash in parks?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes (14%)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Only if they are well behaved (22%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No, only in designated off-leash dog parks (62%)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I don't mind either way (2%)

Those wanting designated areas said they were concerned some dogs were poorly trained and that some people are uncomfortable or fearful of dogs. Off-leash proponents say with more people living in condominiums, having places where dogs can roam off leash has become more important for the animals’ well-being, health, and socialization.

Saanich’s dog policy has been an ongoing debate, especially at Cadboro Bay Beach, where dogs have been required to be on leash since November 2021.

Many dog owners planned to gather at Saanich Municipal Hall on Thursday to voice their concerns.

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Capital Picks

🎤 Apex Breaks at Ska Fest: The psychedelic jungle funk band will perform a free concert today at Ship Point Harbour.

🎉 Rendez-vous Victoria: Enjoy a series of outdoor concerts in celebration of francophone culture, June 22-Aug. 8. [Details]

⌚ Curious how many hours Uber helped British Columbians save in 2022? The answer is 2.4 million hours. Learn more about Uber’s impact in BC.*

🎺 TD Victoria International JazzFest: The 10-day-long musical festival kicks off today at various locations across the city. [Details]

🎙️ Dreaming: Are you sleeping or awake?: Directed by Isaiah Bell, this concert by Pacific Opera’s Civic Engagement Artist Residency explores dreams and nightmares through songs and stories today, 7pm.

🎨 Youth art showcase at the Ministry of Casual Living: Artists from Belmont High School will showcase their artwork today, exploring themes of mental health.

🎟️ Roots Reunited silent auction ends today at 7pm. Locals can support refugees by bidding on restaurant gift cards, axe throwing, coffee shops, cider tasting, bowling, rock climbing, car shares, museums, ice cream, arcades, mobile massage, and much more.

🤝 Now hiring: Client Support Technician at ISM.

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In Other News

🚨 Oak Bay resident loses $8K to “BC Hydro” scam
The caller, “John,” said he worked for BC Hydro and claimed power would be cut from the resident’s business due to overdue payments. Insisting on payment within the hour, John got four e-transfers from the resident—who later realized their BC Hydro bills had been prepaid. [Oak Bay Police]

🏥 Victoria Clinic offers cancer screening to unattached patients
CanScreenBC is aiming to fill gaps left by the ongoing family doctor shortage on the Island, by offering screenings for lung, breast, and colon cancers, and eventually pap tests. The clinic will also offer continued care for those diagnosed with the disease. [CTV News]
Currently, one million people in BC do not have a family doctor and, with several walk-in clinics closing in Greater Victoria over the years, access to care is disappearing for many.

📷 Man “devastated” by RCMP sharing his photo as “suspicious, partially-clothed man”
The man was sunbathing shirtless in a remote spot near the E&N trail and View Royal Elementary field for 15 minutes when his photo was taken. He told CHEK he goes there to meditate privately to help with his PTSD. West Shore RCMP did not give the apology he seeks for posting his photo when he had committed no crime. They cited alertness due to recent indecent acts on trails; the man says he doesn’t resemble that suspect. [CHEK]

In Case You Missed It

🎸 Victoria band to perform free concert at Ska Fest: Apex Breaks hopes to get people dancing at North America’s longest running ska festival. [Capital Daily]

💃🏼 A bold, breathtaking, boundless season of dance. 2023/24 subscriptions on sale. Save up to $146. Royal Theatre Box Office: 250-386-6121 or DanceVictoria.com.*

📰 Wednesday’s newsletter: Labour groups ask for extreme heat worker protections, Saanich teen’s software featured in Spider-Verse, residential school memorial pole visits Inner Harbour, and more. [June 21]

🐖 Pig chases off bear in Sooke: Barbie Q. defends her pen from a furry intruder in this video.

🚔 Indigenous art was stolen, police believe: Police seek the owner of 13 masks and carvings that they believe were stolen in a recent break-and-enter.

*Sponsored Listing