As Victoria’s city council went over the Centennial Square revitalization endeavour with City staff, several key points were either celebrated, or became points of contention.
Much was discussed over the course of around three hours regarding the revitalization.
Overall, most of the council agreed that the square needs upgrades to make it usable by Victoria’s residents, but they disagreed over how City staff should proceed.
The removal of the decades-old sequoia and sweetgum trees, which City staff say are harmful to the square, quickly came up in the discussion about the upgrades.
Councillors said they heard from many constituents that the trees should remain, especially the sequoia that has become synonymous with Centennial Square for many.
However, City staff say the proposed upgrades would replace the contentious trees with 17 new trees better suited to the square. These trees would grow without harming the infrastructure or obstructing sightlines.
Councillor Jeremy Caradonna asked staff to explain to the public the reasoning behind removing the sequoia in particular.
City staff say that the tree was not part of the original 1964 design for the square, but was planted sometime afterwards.
They are concerned that roots from the tree threaten utility infrastructure underground and the lack of sightline from Douglas Street may increase confidence in public safety in the square.
Additionally, if the sequoia were to remain in the square, staff say it would make it impossible for the area to be regraded and to remove the stairs in the area, ultimately making the area less accessible.
Councillor Stephen Hammond asked what the plan for the sequoia tree would be if this project were not going forward.
City staff replied by saying it is not a question of if it will need to be removed, but when, given the soil conditions and circumstances it is growing in.
An amendment to have the wood from the sequoia tree utilized for local art was brought forth by Councillor Matt Dell who introduced this amendment by stating, “You never want to be the councillor that cuts down a tree.”
This amendment was amended and passed by council to have the sequoia and sweetgum trees timber distributed throughout the community as City staff sees fit.
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Councillor Marg Gardiner proposed that staff seek additional feedback regarding the fountain being paved over as well as the monoliths restored and moved to where the sequoia tree is now. This amendment was voted down.
Gardiner also proposed an amendment to have the Centennial square revitalization project added to the referendum for the Crystal Pool project, but this too was shot down as no other councillor would second the motion.
Additionally, an amendment was unanimously passed to include more child-oriented play areas in the design and an amendment to have staff consider more commercial space opportunity was passed with three opposed.
Another aspect of the project council spoke at length about is the cost of the upgrades.
Some funding would be able to be accessed through provincial grant funding, but around $7.5 million would have to be borrowed by the City in order to complete the project.
In the end, council voted in favour of going ahead with the Centennial Square project as-is, with Councillors Gardiner, Stephen Hammond and Chris Coleman in opposition.
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