2009 News Archive
Canada and British Columbia support CPR Steamship Terminal upgrades
Nov 30, 2009
The Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, along with the Hon. Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, and Bill Wellburn, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Provincial Capital Commission, announced that residents of Victoria will benefit from seismic upgrades and structural improvements to the 85-year-old Canadian Pacific Railway Steamship Terminal building.
The $3 million project will be funded by the federal and provincial governments, which will each contribute $1.5 million under Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
"Upgrading the CPR Steamship Terminal to meet modern earthquake standards will ensure that this historic building continues to stand safely and proud for many years to come," said Minister Lunn.
"The continued presence of this iconic building is tremendously important for tourism in the region," said Minister Krueger, whose area of responsibility also covers the PCC. "We are delighted to invest in public safety and extend the life of this 85-year-old landmark building on the harbour."
The building, constructed in 1924, will undergo upgrades, such as new walls, braces and anchors. This project will help increase the building's safety against seismic movements, provide earthquake damage control, and extend the life of the building. Construction will begin by late 2010 and will be substantively complete by March 2011.
New videos on YouTube
October 1, 2009
The Provincial Capital Commission has expanded its Capital Connections series of documentary videos on YouTube. Three new titles were recently posted along with two newly-revised videos.
The new offerings are on Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, the Crystal Garden and the Pemberton Operating Room. Updated versions of earlier released videos are on Government House and the community of Prince Rupert. The latest additions bring the number in this series to 26.
“There were pressing reasons to film each of these new videos,” comments Ray Parks of the PCC. “We wanted to celebrate the Canadian Navy’s Centennial coming up in 2010, and we wanted to highlight the Victoria Conference Centre’s new space at the Crystal Garden.”
The Pemberton Operating Room, which still stands behind the Royal Jubilee Hospital, is an amazing survivor from the 19th century,” Parks said. “The Victoria Medical Society is raising funds to turn it into a medical museum, and we wanted to support that effort. We’ve dedicated this episode to the late Dr. Basil Boulton, who as a PCC Board member and a great supporter of heritage.”
The Government House episode was updated to include the Hon. Stephen L. Point, appointed as BC’s Lieutenant-Governor a few months after the earlier version was completed.
All 26 episodes run two to three minutes in length and can be accessed at no charge through the PCC’s website at www.bcpcc.com or through YouTube.
St. Ann’s Academy alive with music for BC Day
August, 2009
Music, dance and family fun were served up in style at Capital Festival 2009 held at St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site and grounds on BC Day Aug. 3.
The historic chapel, auditorium and grounds served as venues for featured performers including David Gogo, Ken Lavigne, Vic High’s R&B Band, Vince Vaccaro, and many others.
Sponsored by the Provincial Capital Commission, Coast Capital Savings and other community partners, the event was enjoyed by an estimated 8,000 people throughout the day.
Provincial pride on display at BC Day events
August, 2009
Smiles were beaming and flags were waving at Victoria Symphony Splash and Capital Festival 2009. The Provincial Capital Commission handed out 10,000 free BC Day flags over the Aug. 1-3 holiday weekend to the delight of event goers of all ages.
Enjoy some time at new human sundial
July 2009
It’s both fun and functional – well, if the sun is shining that is!
A new interactive sundial now adds a stop of interest along Victoria’s Dallas Road pathway near Ogden Point Breakwater.
The 16-foot-wide sundial sports brass Roman numerals as well as instructions to show users where to stand at various times of the year to ensure their shadow correctly indicates the time of day.
The BC 150 Legacy project was designed and developed by Andrei Golovkine and supported by the Provincial Capital Commission, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and community sponsors.
It is estimated that more than 500,000 pedestrians will walk over the sundial each year.
Crystal Garden restoration earns BC Heritage Award
June 2009
A provincial Award of Honor in heritage restoration was presented to the Provincial Capital Commission, City of Victoria and the Province of BC for the rehabilitation of the historic Crystal Garden.
“Their combined efforts and contributions in rehabilitating and revitalizing one of Victoria’s most significant heritage buildings are an excellent example of a collaborative endeavor which will guarantee the continued enjoyment of the Crystal Garden for many years to come, “ said Rick Goodacre, executive director for Heritage BC in presenting the award in Kelowna June 5.
The conversion of the Crystal Garden to a conference facility fulfills one of the basic standards for the conservation of historic places in Canada, Goodacre explained, in that they found a use for an historic place that required minimal or no change to its character-defining elements. “The new use allows for the continued experience of the large, uninterrupted volume of the interior, lit from above by natural light, and the appreciation of the building’s form and structure.”
Rick Crosby, chief financial officer for the Provincial Capital Commission, and PCC board member David Everett joined Helen Cain of the City of Victoria, and Patrick Frey of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in accepting the award.
Capital Connections winner enjoys trip
June 2009
Victoria’s Inner Harbour, with its picturesque backdrop, impressive Parliament Buildings, historic old town architecture and street entertainers, rekindled a connection between Gladys and John Robertson and their provincial capital.
Winner of last fall’s Capital Connections Contest, sponsored by the Provincial Capital Commission and the Penticton Western News, Gladys and her husband enjoyed their trip for two to the province’s capital last week.
The Penticton couple toured the Parliament Buildings with its decorative architectural features and stained glass windows. “I was quite impressed to be able to look through the gate right into the Legislative Assembly room,” Robertson said.
The various exhibits at the Royal BC Museum, in particular the Modern History Gallery, was a trip highlight for the Penticton couple, along with feasting on clam chowder and frozen cheesecakes on sticks as they strolled the streets enjoying the ambience of the capital city.
The couple last visited Victoria more than 35 years ago.
The contest was part of the Provincial Capital Commission’s outreach visit to the south Okanagan last fall.
PCC’s web-based Social Studies 10 unit presented with CNIE Award of Merit
May 2009
An online Social Studies 10 unit, developed by Open School BC for the Provincial Capital Commission, earned an Award of Merit in this year’s Media Awards Contest. The presentation was hosted by the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education at their international conference held in Ottawa May 10-13, 2009.
The engaging educational unit “Being Victorian” earlier garnered accolades from BC’s teaching community. Using interesting subject material from Victoria’s early years, such as the opium trade, a leper colony and murder on the steps of a local cathedral, the interactive web-based resource allows students to delve into colourful characters while learning critical thinking skills.