May 7 – The Y finds a new home

Good morning !

The downtown Y is on the move—a couple of blocks north to the Bay Centre—with a 10-year lease. And fewer Victorians are on the move to Washington state, so the Coho is cutting some sailings.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 20 / 8 

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 14 / 8

Friday: 🌥️ 18 / 9

NEWS

Victoria's YMCA-YWCA moving to the Bay Centre

The Y is moving a couple of blocks north into downtown, and that’ll mean free parking for patrons when the workout facility relocates to the top floor of the Bay Centre, where it has signed a 10-year lease.

“It’s great news,” Derek Gent, YMCA/YWCA of Vancouver Island CEO, tells Capital Daily. “It’s a long time coming.”

In 2018, the Y sold its building on Broughton to Concert Properties—which plans a large two-tower housing development in its place—and has been leasing it back through continued extensions. The Y has been looking for new digs since, and last fall, it hit paydirt when a Goodlife Fitness studio closed and vacated the Bay Centre.  

“That's when we started the conversations with the Bay Centre, and it's just such a perfect match of the Y needing a space that big, that's sort of custom and available, and then the traffic that we bring,” Gent said.

The Y plans to move into the large, 20K-square-foot space, which features a food court and an outdoor patio, early next year, Gent said. He estimates that about a thousand people use the Y each day, about one-fifth of its membership of approximately 5K.

They’ll be able to park underground for free for two hours, Gent said, an improvement over the current situation with members vying for 35 outdoor spots.

But there is some bad news. The new Y won’t have a pool, gymnasium, or any racquet sport courts, something Gent estimates 10-15% of the membership uses. 

“That's the saddest part of this,” Gent said. “The prospect of finding a space that had all of those pieces was just too daunting.”

The plan is to seek, piecemeal, those missing pieces elsewhere, Gent said.

“There are other places, certainly to play basketball and volleyball, and we want to do as much as we can to serve the people that currently use the Y.”

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

BC emergency alert test today at 1:55pm. [More info]

BCHL Playoffs Coastal Conference finals Game 4 - Chilliwack Chiefs at Victoria Grizzlies. [Tonight 7pm]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Coho curtailed: Black Ball Ferry cancels sailings 

In a sign of the troubled times, the Coho won’t be running as often between Victoria and Washington state.

“Due to current travel demand, we have made the difficult decision to adjust our June sailing schedule,” the company wrote on its social media page. 

The ferry line had anticipated increasing to four daily sailings on June 12, but will wait two weeks to do that.

As a result, Black Ball has cancelled its 9:30pm sailings from Port Angeles on June 12-25, and the 6:10am sailings from Victoria on June 13-26, the posting read.

It said the company doesn’t take the decision lightly, apologizes for any inconvenience, and has phoned or emailed people with reservations on these sailings and said they have been offered alternative sailings or a full refund.

“We are deeply grateful for your continued support and understanding as we navigate through these unprecedented times,” it said.

Black Ball estimated a 20% drop on its Victoria-Port Angeles route in late Feb., when US President Trump was first threatening tariffs and annexation to make Canada the 51st American state, something Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed yesterday when he met with Trump in the Oval Office. 

EVENTS

Your guide to Mother's Day events this weekend 

Mother’s Day is this Sun., May 11, and you can make it extra special this year with one of the many events in Victoria. 

From a memorable brunch or a creative workshop to exploring craft markets and having a fun family outing, there’s something for every kind of celebration. 

See our full guide to the best events happening around Victoria this year.

Our Insiders got first access to this story on Sunday in the premium edition of Capital Daily’s Sunday newsletter. To make sure you don’t miss out on our top stories, become an Insider today.

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

The Belfry Theatre's 50th Anniversary Season

Last week, the Belfry Theatre announced its 50th Anniversary Season. It includes: 1979, by Michael Healey. A hilarious look at ethics in politics—so apt for our times.

Burning Mom, by Mieko Ouchi. A one-woman show about Mieko's mother, Dorothy, and the pilgrimage she makes to the Burning Man Festival.

Playwrights Tawiah M’Carthy and Brad Cook will be on stage with Maanomaa, My Brother, a play that beautifully combines dialogue and movement in abstract and fiercely personal ways.  

Finally, a play as human and funny as life itself—and just as fragile: Casey and Diana, by Nick Green.  

The Belfry offers pay-what-you-want season tickets. Click here to learn more.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌻 Wanna try something new? Try making floral resin coasters at Patio Gardens! No experience needed—just bring your creativity. Limited spots —register now and get crafting!*

✍️ Victoria Writers’ Society meets May 7, 7-8:30pm at Russell Books, 747 Fort Street. The topic is social media. Jill Nessel, a communications professional, will talk about how to use social media to promote your writing. Find out more here.*

🏊 Best swimming hole guide is on the way.

⭐ Get a quote for expert fence building or yard work today! Call and mention this ad to enjoy a 5% discount—act now!*

🐟 Plainfin midshipman from Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Too tall for Old Town: former Plaza Hotel proposal hits snag
The city’s planning and development staff has recommended that the council turn down a proposal to build a 12-storey Hampton Inn on the plot of land previously occupied by the hotel, which burned down in 2019. The land, at 603 Pandora at Government, is located in Old Town, which has a five-storey limit. The developer says it needs that height to have 200 rooms to make it viable. The Downtown Victoria Business Association says the proposal is vital in addressing the city’s hotel room shortage. [CHEK]

BC approves 3% hotel tax in Sidney for tourism and marketing
The Municipal and Retail District Tax will be charged to visitors who stay at Sidney hotels and short-term rentals, with proceeds to pay for regional marketing and tourism projects. The tax—3% is the maximum allowed—matches Victoria’s hotel tax and is higher than the 2% charged in Oak Bay and Langford. It takes effect Aug. 1 and is expected to raise $400K, to be used to increase year-round visits and direct hotel bookings. [Times Colonist]

BC salmon farms call for rubber bullets to ward off sea lions
According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), sea lions are breaking into pens for the fish and being “aggressive to staff.” Multiple salmon farms southwest of the Island report up to 15 sea lions hanging near their open-net pens, DFO said. Up until 2000, licence holders could shoot the animals—in 1999, 700+ seals and sea lions were killed that way. Now, fish-farm operators have to apply for permission to use aggressive tactics. The use of rubber bullets has been approved five times this year, DFO said. [BIV]

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Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

SPONSORED BY PURE DAY SPA

Perfect Mother’s Day gift idea

Celebrate Mom with sparkling bubbles, sweet macarons, and pure serenity in a private courtyard-view room at Pure Day Spa, Victoria’s 5-time award-winner. With the Mom’s Sweetest Escape package, she’ll glow with a custom facial and Renewal Mani or Pedi. Every detail whispers love. Free parking, top-tier products, and gift cards make it the ultimate Mother’s Day experience.

🗓️ Things to do

🎞️ Community Movie Nights: Karuara. People of the River. Join us for another inspiring evening that brings people together through film & conversation. Fernwood Community Centre. Tomorrow. 6-8:30pm. [Info] 

🍷 VINcabulary: Volcanic Wines: Sip and learn your way through a guided tasting of bold volcanic wines—hosted by Vessel Liquor Store with expert-led insights and lively conversation. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🪄 Champions of Magic: A mind-blowing night of illusion, humour, and grand spectacle at the Royal Theatre. Today-Fri. 7:30pm. [Info]

🥁 Graham Villette Quintet: See some of Vancouver Island’s finest jazz musicians bring the music of jazz legends to Hermann’s for one unforgettable night. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🧠 Trivia Night at Spinnakers: Weekly trivia covering movies, music, sports, and more. Spinnakers. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎷 Brownman Electryc Trio: See the award-winning electric-jazz trio from Brooklyn fusing hip-hop, funk, and soul with explosive jazz improvisation at The Coda. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🤣 Phillips Comedy Night at The Mint: Laugh the night away with top local comedians. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Fundraiser for family after Finlayson Arm boating tragedy; BC wildfire season is here; 7K people sift through 500K books at TC fundraiser. [May 6]

Witness to wrong-way highway driving incident still shaken. [Times Colonist]

Washington state trade delegation visits BC. [Vancouver Sun / CP]

Plan for plants: Sales to see this month. [Capital Daily]

More BC Highway Patrol enforcement this month. 

Victoria Pride Week event dates released, including a new date for the Big Gay Dog Walk (July 1).

Beacon Hill Children's Farm turns 40. Send in your best photos of the farm! [Info]