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Lately, it seems like nearly every week brings news of another Greater Victoria festival or parade being cancelled. Lights of Wonder, the annual Christmas light installation in Centennial Square, is the latest to get the boot.

Check out our first story today to learn more.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ⛅ 18 / 11

Tomorrow: ⛅ 17 / 9

Day after: ⛅ 19 / 10

7-day forecast

Scratch that ferris wheel ride from your Christmas season enjoyment list—the Lights of Wonder have been dimmed.

In what was categorized as a “very tough” decision, the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) announced Wednesday it is pulling the plug on the free holiday lights show that drew thousands to Centennial Square each Christmas season since its inception in 2019.

“We know the community loves the event,” DVBA CEO Jeff Bray told Capital Daily. “But with sponsorships simply harder to come by, the financial impact on our organization meant we had to take this course.”

Additionally, after five years of use, the light structures utilized in the month-long presentation were showing significant wear and tear. The combination of those two challenges “has made the event financially unfeasible to continue,” the DVBA said.

The association is a nonprofit and gets its funding from levies on commercial downtown core properties, along with sponsorships and grants. Its operating budget this year is $1.95M, Bray said.

The Lights of Wonder, which the DVBA said “costs hundreds of thousands of dollars each year,” were a vehicle designed to drive people to downtown shops and businesses.

The DVBA, representing 2K members and businesses, said it is “reassessing its approach to large-scale events" to foster “year-round vibrancy through a variety of events that appeal to different audiences and take place throughout downtown Victoria.” 

Bray said there are plans for “a variety of activations” throughout downtown, including some during the daytime, to attract consumers this year.

Campfire ban: Category 1, 2, and 3 fires—which includes campfires—are banned in the Coastal Fire Centre starting today. [BC Wildfire Service]

Lane closures and delays on Fort today, between Vancouver and Cook. 9am-3pm. [City of Vic]

PKOLS Mount Douglas Park parking lot closed today—including some trails—as new tower is installed.

Gordon Head weight room has reopened after extensive repairs. [District of Saanich]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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The project, which would provide 510 new on-campus beds, was put on ice back in February due to budget restraints. 

At the time, the university said it was “deeply disappointed” in the decision, arguing the units would “play a pivotal role in relieving pressure in Victoria’s rental market.”

The project would create more housing for upper-year undergraduate students and graduate students and was set to break ground this month before funding was delayed. The development was initially expected to be completed in fall 2029, but is now slated to be finished in 2034.

In October, BC committed to pay $120M of the $178M building cost, but four months later, as the province stared at a projected $12B+ 2026 deficit, the BC government announced it was delaying several capital projects, including the UVic housing expansion.

On Monday, Saanich council unanimously voted to approve a development variance permit that would keep the site at 3800 Finnerty earmarked for the project for the next four years.

Along with this decision, the council voted to have Mayor Dean Murdock write to the province, urging it to reinstate funding on a faster timeline.

“The province’s decision to delay this project in the February budget and ‘replace some of its priorities’ means students will continue to rely on already scarce rental housing in Saanich, leaving fewer options for other renters in our community,” Coun. Susan Brice said in a statement.

The council said building the UVic dorms is also key to helping the municipality meet its provincial housing targets.

“Delaying this project means students will face more years of housing insecurity, greater exposure to high rents in the private market, and fewer opportunities to live close to their classes, services, and campus supports,” Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff said. “The province needs to reinstate funding and help ensure students have access to the housing they need.” 

🏴‍☠️ Buccaneer Days Community BBQ today, 12-1:30pm.

🐦 Life imitates art: See tree swallows in Duncan pose next to educational signs about them. [Facebook photos]

🌹 Mother’s Day Guided Thrift Hunt at Murchies on Saturday. 

🌱 Free spring seedlings from City of Victoria starting May 14. 

Victoria Uber drivers become the first in Canada to ratify a union contract
Last July, they became the first in the country to unionize. Now, approximately 1K Victoria drivers can bargain for workplace protections, improved pay and wellness benefits, sick time, and a fair dispute process. That last one is huge because there has been poor communication between drivers and the company, one full-time driver said. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada called it a defining moment in Canada’s labour movement. [CHEK]

Island group submits bid to bring Canada Soccer training facility to Alberni Valley
The group said it would partner with the Hupačasath, Tseshaht, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations to build a facility that would include a community centre, dorms, and eight to 10 soccer pitches. It was not clear where in the Alberni Valley—which does not have a major airport—the centre would be located. Last week, the federal government announced it would contribute $9.83M toward the construction of a $200M national training centre for Canada’s national soccer teams—a legacy project of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [Times Colonist]

Grizzly bear spotted in Sayward, residents urged to use caution
Village officials put out an alert to residents on Monday after the bear was spotted, urging people to carry bear spray and “exercise extreme caution,” especially during early morning and evening hours. Grizzly bears were once rare on the Island, with most sightings involving lone bears that swam over from the mainland. Recently, there’s been an uptick, including a sow and cubs that are believed to have overwintered on the Island, signalling that the species may be establishing itself here. [CTV]

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⚜️ Le Coquetel: Join the monthly social gathering for French speakers of all levels at La Société francophone de Victoria today. 5-7pm. [Info] 

⛵Beside Myself: See the story of Hally, a recent widow who leaves Saskatchewan to live on a sailboat off the coast of BC at the Belfry Theatre. Closes Friday. [Info]

🎭 The Comeuppance: See the play, following a group of old classmates who meet to pregame before their high school reunion, at Theatre Inconnu. Daily, through May 23. [Info] 

🎸 Parabolus: A complete TOOL experience tribute show featuring atmospheric lighting and precision covers at Capital Ballroom tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🌱 Container Bog Gardening: The Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society presents naturalist Justin Dunning, who will discuss the basics of bog gardens at First Memorial Funeral Services & Garden of Memories (virtual option available). May 12. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🎵 SoulFire: Funky as Jazz: Music inspired by timeless artists such as The Crusaders, Randy Crawford, and Nina Simone at The Coda. May 22. 9:30pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: Saanich teen missing; Oak Bay businesses field abusive phone calls; Tea Party Parade cancelled.   [May 6]

Missing girl, 16, has been located, Saanich Police said early Wednesday. 

Climate experts: the Island’s early heatwave was notable but not a major cause for concern. [Capital Daily]

GVPL shared book recommendations for Red Dress Day, highlighting the history of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) in Canada. [Details]

129-room hotel opens near YYJ: TownePlace Suites by Marriott is now open after two years of construction. [Victoria Buzz] 

VicPD seeks dashcam video in arson investigation. 

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