City of Victoria staff have put together a report and recommendation for city council to approve a new design for Centennial Square’s revitalization.
The new concept design is based on community feedback, technical analysis and direction from city council.
According to city staff, the three key objectives in the project are to create a more welcoming, accessible and vibrant environment; expand the capacity to host more events and programs; and renew or replace aging infrastructure.
The City says new features for the square will include a large splash park with integrated sound and lighting elements.
When the splash park is deactivated, this space will accommodate markets, performances, festivals and other cultural events.
Along the eastern edge of the central plaza, there will be elements of play, with climbable cut stone blocks, plantings and water features.
Included in this area will be an elevated platform serving as a new stage for performances, such as the Eventide Music Series to take place. The stage space attached to the rear of McPherson Theatre will also see some improvements to make it easier to utilize.
A new green space will also take over the western area of the square which is currently dominated by a concrete space that will offer people a place to relax in the grass next to the McPherson Theatre, according to the City.
Along the north edge, City staff are suggesting new trees be planted in a way so as to not obstruct views.
Business-wise, a year-round commercial kiosk will be implemented in the heart of the square to support infrastructure for mobile vendors.
For cyclists, the undercroft currently occupied by the City’s bike valet will remain as-is, with some improvements.
Since the proposal first came forward to revitalize the square, some residents have been advocating fiercely to keep the monoliths in the centre of the square intact, where the City was considering removing them.
After recent City-conducted investigations, it was determined the wear and tear to the monoliths is considerable and the spray from the fountain has contributed greatly to this over the years.
In the proposed design, the fountain will be paved over, but City staff have compromised to keep, but relocate the monoliths. Prior to reinstallation, they will undergo a restoration process.
A new controversy in the design is that City staff are proposing to remove the massive sequoia and sweetgum trees that have been mainstays of the square for decades.
Victoria staff say they have been trying to navigate what to do with the trees to help them thrive, but ultimately decided to remove them in order to “focus on a tree
strategy for the next 50-100 years.”
Funding for this project has been approved and will include $4.5 million from a provincial grant. The City will be contributing an estimated $7.5 million and will have to take on debt in order to do so.
If council approves the staff report and its recommendations, construction could start in 2025 with the project’s completion expected in 2026.
