Oct 3 - Chinatown Museum is here to stay

Good morning !

Our first story today looks at the Victoria Chinatown Museum, which is now a permanent fixture downtown. The museum explores the history of Chinese Canadians in Victoria and beyond. Have you checked out the Fan Tan Alley museum yet?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 15 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 16 / 11

Saturday: ⛅ 17 / 11

NEWS

Victoria Chinatown Museum to remain permanently 

The museum, which opened as a temporary extension of Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian Museum in 2021, will remain in Fan Tan Alley after it was announced that the board of directors of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) will take over operations.

VCMS officially took control on Tues., completing the objective the society has had since its inception in 2020. 

“Our goal has always been to take it over,” said Grace Wong Sneddon, VCMS chair. “It was just lining things up to make sure we had our charitable status and enough support among the community to operate.”

Wong Sneddon told Capital Daily that she and the rest of VCMS believe that the oldest Chinatown in Canada—and the oldest remaining Chinatown structures in North America—deserves its own space to share Chinese Canadian history.

“We felt that not only the stories, but the buildings, the spaces, the courtyards, the alleys, all hold vibrant history,” Wong Sneddon said, explaining that Chinese immigrants would first arrive in Victoria when relocating to Canada, often staying around modern-day Chinatown where the immigration building was located. 

“I mean, how can we not use this space as a living museum to share the history and our evolving culture and history?”

With its new permanent status, the museum is expected to expand—both physically and through its programming.

Read more about future programming at the museum—and why preserving Asian representation in the historic neighbourhood is vital.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Winter tires now needed for Malahat drive. [BC Gov’t.] 

Crystal Pool replacement project info sessions. [Oct. 5, 9, 15]

NEWS

Ground is broken for new airport Marriott

Construction has begun on the new TownePlace Suites by Marriott, at Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

The three-storey, 129-room hotel will go up on 1.4ha of commercial-zoned land at the corner of the Pat Bay Highway and Beacon Avenue West. 

“The Island’s business and tourism sectors have long recognized that there is a vital need for more hotel rooms in the region,” said Elizabeth Brown, the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) president.

“Having TownePlace Suites at Victoria International Airport is a welcome addition,” she said.

This will be welcome news for those who travel early in the morning or late at night to and from Greater Victoria, because many flights out of YYJ leave early in the morning, Destination Greater Victoria CEO Paul Nursey tells Capital Daily.

Nursery says his group has been working on a Saanich Peninsula tourism strategy. “One of the topics that has come up is the need for more accommodation in the area. Marriott is a reputable brand and it's great to see the project progressing.”

The Kothari Group, which owns and will manage the TownePlace Suites, said once open at the end of next year, the Marriott will become the region’s first extended-stay hotel—meaning it will offer long-term accommodation for guests with a lot of the amenities from home, like self-serve laundry and in-suite kitchens. 

The hotel will feature a combination of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. It also will have a heated, saltwater swimming pool and more than 1,500 square feet of meeting space for conferences, something also needed in Victoria. The lodgings will cater to tourists, business travellers and locals who want to get away from the city or as Nursey said, have early flights.

The Kothari Group said it will be a green project featuring energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and waste reduction programs.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION AND COAST CAPITAL

Victoria's 2024 Vital Signs report is online

Can you imagine Greater Victoria for the next generation?

Residents of Greater Victoria have answered, and the results in 2024's 'community report card' are now available in an interactive digital Vital Signs report to fit smartphones, tablets, and computers!

Now in its 19th year, Vital Signs reveals residents' top concerns, with letter grades from A+ to F for 12 key issue areas, including housing, education, arts and culture, belonging and engagement, and more.

The report uses data taken this year from a web-based citizen survey completed by over 6,500 people, and from secondary sources curated by a local researcher, to explore how the region is doing.

Also, don't miss a feature article spotlighting impact advisor and philanthropy champion Jim Hayhurst on engaging the interests of today's youth to plan for a better future!

Thank you to presenting sponsor Coast Capital.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏰 Craigdarroch Castle: The After Hours Tour. [Oct.11-19]

🍁 The Canadian Club of Victoria presents Community Safety & Well-being, featuring Sandra Severs, President of the Victoria Downtown Residents' Association. October 8, 11:45am - 1:30pm at Hotel Grand Pacific. Get your tickets today!*

🥥 Was it carried by a swallow? Mysterious coconut kernel found near Elk Lake. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

BC Housing was warned about Vic’s Vivid at the Yates condo: FOI
Documents obtained through a freedom of information request reveal BC Housing’s executive was warned two+ years ago that the public could find out that some people may have taken advantage of an affordable housing program. CBC says BC Housing told builders Chard Development it had decided not to release that information. Almost one-third of the 135 units at 845 Johnson were sold to people who did not qualify. [CBC]

Pedestrian hit by vehicle downtown suffers life-threatening injuries 
The collision happened just before 6:30am yesterday at the Douglas-Yates intersection. Police arrived to find emergency workers already tending to the victim. The intersection was closed until 9am. [VicPD]

Local Indigenous non-profit says Rustad can’t wear its pins
In the wake of the Conservative leader’s comments about UNDRIP on Truth and Reconciliation Day, the Moose Hide Campaign in Saanichton has withdrawn its permission for John Rustad to wear its moose-hide pin—a key part of the non-profit’s campaign to promote an end to violence against women and children. The campaign’s founder said in a letter that while ending gender-based violence is a non-partisan issue, Rustad has not upheld “basic standards of respect” for Indigenous people.

SPONSORED BY THE TYEE

The election stories you won’t find anywhere else

Confused about what’s happening in B.C.? Make sense of the political moment by subscribing to The Run. The Tyee’s award-winning election newsletter is back, aiming its laser focus on the political future of the west coast. Twice weekly this fall we’ll bring you the story behind the headlines, and break down key election themes happening across the province. It’s a free newsletter full of smart voices unpacking key issues, fact-checking politicians and exposing disinformation to clarifying light. Know what’s at stake when you cast your vote by subscribing today to The Run.

Subscribe for free.

🗓️ Things to do

🎪 Mayfair Mall Circus: From thrilling acrobats to hilarious clowns, the circus has something for everyone, today until Mon. [Info]

🎤 Donovan Woods: Enjoy the singer-songwriter Donovan Woods’ blend of folk, country and pop at the McPherson Playhouse tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎶 Xana: See the independent Queer artist present The Sex Was Good Tour at Capital Ballroom tonight. 9pm. [Info]

💃 Aged to Perfection: Support the Victoria Women’s Transition Housing Society in this burlesque ​celebration. Scottish Community Centre tonight. 7pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: Legislature needs major repairs; Shelbourne reopens after 2 months of construction; Man charged in Ditidaht First Nation murder investigation; And more. [Oct. 2]

Conservatives upset First Nations with announcement and its timing. [Capital Daily]

Victoria named No. 1 best small city in the world by Condé Nast Traveler for the second straight year.

Blue-green algae bloom at Thetis, Durrance, Beaver, and Prior lakes. [Info]

That’s it!

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