Inner Harbour
Victoria’s Inner Harbour sits at the heart of the Capital city and is framed by British Columbia’s Parliament Buildings and the stately Empress Hotel. This beautiful natural setting has defined and shaped the city that has developed and matured around it. The harbour is vital to the economies of Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island. It is also the City’s gateway - each year welcoming hundreds of thousands of travelers arriving by land, sea and air.
Historically Victoria’s harbour was a “working harbour”, with heavy industry, fishing fleets, transportation, cargo and other marine dependant industries. Today it has evolved into primarily residential, recreational and tourism uses creating a mosaic of kayaks, street vendors, footpaths, small vessels and commercial operations.
On behalf of all British Columbians, the Provincial Capital Commission provides stewardship over a number of important properties surrounding Victoria’s Inner Harbour. PCC holdings include several ferry terminals along the harbour’s southern shoreline, accommodating Black Ball Ferry’s MV Coho and the Victoria Clipper. The PCC also owns a waterlot which is currently leased to the tourist attraction Pacific Undersea Gardens. To the north, along the eastern shore, the Provincial Capital Commission owns Ship Point and Enterprise Wharf, both used throughout the year as parking lots and as venue sites for numerous special festivals. Reeson Park, a grassy area sloping down to the harbour near the foot of Yates Street, is also owned by the PCC.
Ship Point Plaza
The Provincial Capital Commission’s Ship Point Plaza has been transformed thanks to community support and the fundraising efforts of a small, committed group determined to commemorate the Canadian Navy’s 150th anniversary.
Two new statues now grace a newly-bricked plaza area beside the Victoria Visitor Information Centre on Wharf Street. The Homecoming and The Veteran Sailor statues, both created by Victoria sculptor Nathan Scott, were funded through the efforts of a community-based group led by Cedric Steele and Ken Summers.
The renovated plaza overlooking Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour now draws tourists and residents alike to enjoy the view and the sentiment honouring the Navy’s past, present and future.
