City of Victoria - Local Government

Enjoy delicious treats & eats at Summer at Ship Point’s rotating mobile food vendors Tuesday to Thursday from 4-8 p.m. until Sept. 19.

Featured:
• Poutine 66
• Bretzel
• Victoria Beer Society Beer Bus (until Sept. 1)

🏀 Calling all young athletes aged 8-14. Get ready to elevate your game at the Eli Pasquale Basketball Camp from August 26-30 at Central Park! Whether you choose a half-day or full-day camp, this is your chance to learn from a basketball legend who’s been inspiring players since 1984. Improve your 1-on-1 skills and boost your offensive and defensive strategies for team play. Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, snacks, lunch and a water bottle—stay hydrated and ready to play!

📅 August 26-30

🕘 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

📍 Central Park - Basketball Court

To register visit:
https://cityofvictoria.perfectmind.com/23404/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=15f6af07-39c5-473e-b053-96653f77a406&redirectedFromEmbededMode=True&courseId=845e488e-863a-4aba-98bd-54e48aeb85a1

📢🌟 We want YOUR ideas for the future of James Bay, Oaklands and the Jubilee, Fort Street and Oak Bay Avenue areas.

This spring, the City hosted four collaborative community workshops to come up with ideas and concepts for the future of these areas. If you couldn’t get to an event or have more to say, you can check out the Places & Spaces Online Ideas Showcase to review workshop outcomes and share your thoughts on draft concepts.

Check out the Online Ideas Showcase at engage.victoria.ca/places-spaces

We've been there: you're riding your bike and want to stop for a drink or a snack, but you don't have a bike lock handy. Or you're about to lock up your bike when you realize you left the key at home.

That's why we've partnered with businesses and community centres to make free, high-quality u-locks available across the city. Check out the map of places where you can currently borrow a bike lock for peace of mind while you work, play, shop and dine in Victoria - and send this post to a business you'd like to see join the list!

To learn more, get a digital map/list of locations or apply to be a business partner, visit victoria.ca/bikeparking.

P.S. If you've got little ones biking to school this year who don't have locks of their own just yet, we've got you covered! Bike locks are also available to borrow at participating schools – ask your office staff for more information.

Browns Crafthouse Vic West Breakwater Cafe & Bistro James Bay New Horizons Society Destination Greater Victoria Ferris' Grill and Garden Patio Whistle Buoy Brewing Company The Drake Eatery Habit Coffee Herald Street Brew Works Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. Vancouver Island Brewing Crag X Climbing Gym Fernwood Coffee Company Gonzales Cafe Christies Carriage House Pub Sol Fine Foods - Cafe / Deli / Catering Victoria West Community Association Quadra Village Community Centre Fairfield Gonzales Community Association Oaklands Community Association

🦅 Join us on August 24 for a Road Trip to Beginner Birding at Witty's Lagoon!

🌳 Hop on the City of Victoria's recreation bus and learn from a CRD Regional Parks Naturalist about birding basics, including how to use binoculars and field guides. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to sharpen your skills, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature.

🚍 Cost includes transportation from Crystal Pool and the instructor fee. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars if you have them!

📅 August 24

🕘 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (includes travel time)

To register visit: https://cityofvictoria.perfectmind.com/23404/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=15f6af07-39c5-473e-b053-96653f77a406&redirectedFromEmbededMode=True&courseId=ef006ebd-c907-41e8-9341-ad8a06a9bc6f

🌞 Keep the summer vibes going with OUR DWTN Summer at Ship Point! Our fun and inclusive wellness classes, including yoga and full-body bootcamp, are happening every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. until September 19. 🧘‍♂️💪

Don't miss out—check out the schedule at victoria.ca/community-culture/arts-culture/our-dwtn

🌳✨ Introducing the new Government Street parklet ✨🌳

Designed by the team at Waymark Architecture (pictured), this new parklet is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the neighbourhood. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to read, a cozy corner to chat with friends or just a beautiful space to relax and enjoy a coffee, this parklet is it!

Come by and enjoy it for yourself on Government Street between Chatham and Herald.

What do you think of Victoria’s busking scene? Tell us in an online survey by August 31: engage.victoria.ca/busking

🎵 by Slim Sandy & Willa Mae

Victoria is experiencing the impacts of climate change, with dangerous heat and dry conditions in the summer, and more severe and frequent storms in wetter months.

In Sustainable City, our climate and environment newsletter, find a round up of climate action and environment initiatives, like:
🚲new bike lanes
⚡electric vehicle charging options
☀️ 🌧️climate-caused disaster resources
🏠incentives for reducing carbon pollution from your home
🗑️tips for reducing waste
… and much more!

Subscribe at victoria.ca/signup!

Sign Up | City of Victoria Sign up for one or more of the City of Victoria's newsletters:Connect E-News features important updates, community events and information about your city. Recreation For All highlights exciting recreational opportunities for all ages and information on the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre.  Cryst...

Explore City of Victoria's fall 2024 recreation programs! ✨🍂 Discover our fall program guides today and reconnect with your favorite activities. Registration opens on August 19 at 7 a.m. for all fall programs, including skating and on August 21 at 7 a.m. for swimming programs. Don't miss out—whether you're skating on ice or swimming laps, it's time to grow, learn and get active again!

📅 Registration Dates:
Fall programs including skating: August 19, 7 a.m.
Swimming programs: August 21, 7 a.m.
View our program guide and plan your autumn adventure now at victoria.ca/recreation.

Recreation | City of Victoria Recreation services are essential to active, healthy and connected communities. Finding the perfect recreation program is faster and easier than ever before with the new activity search tool. Learn more, check out drop-in schedules and register for programs. Victoria is home to several facilities ...

Hey James Bay Gardeners! Get Growing, Victoria’s seedling distribution has moved to a new location.

📍 James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego St
⏰ Saturday, August 3 from 10 a.m.–noon

How it works:
👀 Find us in the north yard of James Bay Community School on the corner of Oswego and Simcoe St
🌿 Collect free seedlings
🐝 Get growing and happy gardening!

Vegetable, herb and edible flower seedling varieties are selected for easy growing no matter your location or experience. Limits per household apply. Some locations will have soil-building materials available.

Not in James Bay? Find a distribution date in your area at victoria.ca/getgrowing 🌷

🏘️🌟 Help shape the future of James Bay, Oaklands and the Jubilee, Fort Street and Oak Bay Avenue areas.

This spring, the City hosted four collaborative community workshops to come up with ideas and concepts for the future of these areas. If you couldn’t get to an event or have more to say, you can check out the Places & Spaces Online Ideas Showcase to review workshop outcomes and share your thoughts on draft concepts.

Check out the Online Ideas Showcase at engage.victoria.ca/places-spaces

While most people in Victoria know about Cameron Bandshell in beautiful Beacon Hill Park, Fort Common is still a bit of a hidden gem. On Thursdays from noon until 1 p.m., grab a bowl of chowder or a charcuterie box and enjoy a lunchtime concert.

If Beacon Hill Park is calling you, catch some tunes at Cameron Bandshell Friday to Monday from 1:30–3:30 p.m. or Tuesdays from 6–8 p.m.

For all the details and more summer fun visit:

Festivals & Events | City of Victoria High quality festivals and celebrations contribute to a community's well-being and economic health. The support of arts, culture and tourism is a key goal of the City’s Create Victoria Arts and Culture Master Plan.CityVibeGet ready for a spectacular summer. The 2024 CityVibe guide is now availa...

Let’s Get Growing, Victoria! Downtown, James Bay, North Park, Jubliee and Fairfield seedling distribution days are coming up next.🌱

How it works:
👀 Find a distribution day in your neighbourhood
🌿 Collect free seedlings from one of our partner organizations
🐝 Get growing and happy gardening!

Vegetable, herb and edible flower seedling varieties are selected for easy growing no matter your location or experience. Limits per household apply. Some locations will have soil-building materials available.

Find a distribution date in your area at victoria.ca/getgrowing 🌷

Thank you to all our partners involved: Victoria West Community Association Vic West Food Security Collective Burnside Gorge Community Association Fairfield Gonzales Community Association Fernwood NRG South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association North Park Neighbourhood Association Oaklands Community Association Quadra Village Community Centre Victoria Downtown Residents Association Yates Street Community Garden Victoria Compost Education Centre Growing Together FED Urban Ag Welcome Gardens Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Centre Society Rockland Neighbourhood Association and James Bay Neighbourhood Association.

🌅 Join us tonight for the last Summer Nights of the season at Royal Athletic Park! Tonight's fun includes face painting, lawn games, mini putt and the concession and beer garden will be open. No bouncy castles tonight unfortunately, but plenty of excitement awaits!

📍 Royal Athletic Park
⏰ 4-8 p.m.

The City of Victoria is excited to support the 2024 Ecostar Awards by presenting the Inspirational New Venture Award! Applications are now available: ecostarawards.com

City of Victoria - Local Government is this year’s Inspirational New Venture Award sponsor!

This award celebrates an inspiring new venture that has demonstrated its potential to create widespread positive change and has been operating for less than 3 years. ⭐

Know a new organization doing amazing work? Have them apply at ecostarawards.com/apply

"We have to do better,” Victoria Fire Chief Daniel Atkinson on the Thursday morning beach fire that scorched the Dallas Road bluff.

Open fires are not permitted in Victoria any time of year and pose a serious risk to people, pets, nearby homes and coastal ecosystems.

Fines of up to $2000 can be issued.

We are thankful to the attentive residents who called 911 and to our crews who put out the fire quickly, preventing further damage.

Let’s Get Growing, Victoria! The next round of seedling distribution begins on July 24. The first week kicks off in Quadra Hillside, Rockland, Fernwood, Vic West, Burnside and Oaklands! 🌱

How it works:
👀 Find a distribution day in your neighbourhood
🌿 Collect free seedlings from one of our partner organizations
🐝 Get growing and happy gardening!

Vegetable, herb and edible flower seedling varieties are selected for easy growing no matter your location or experience. Limits per household apply. Some locations will have soil-building materials available.

Downtown, James Bay, North Park, Jubliee and Fairfield dates are in August. Find a distribution date in your area at victoria.ca/getgrowing 🌷

Thank you to all our partners involved: Victoria West Community Association Vic West Food Security Collective Burnside Gorge Community Association Fairfield Gonzales Community Association Fernwood NRG South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association North Park Neighbourhood Association Oaklands Community Association Quadra Village Community Centre Victoria Downtown Residents Association Yates Street Community Garden Victoria Compost Education Centre Growing Together FED Urban Ag Welcome Gardens Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Centre Society Rockland Neighbourhood Association and James Bay Neighbourhood Association.

🌊 National Drowning Prevention Week 2024 is all about how we can work together as individuals and communities to stay safe around the water. From July 22-27 come to the Crystal Pool to learn about the best ways to enjoy our local lakes, rivers and beaches responsibly this summer! 🌞🏊‍♂️

Knowledge and preparation are the best ways to prevent drowning. Take a swimming lesson, keep your children within arm's reach in the water and make sure that you have a lifejacket that fits when using watercraft. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, take part in the Swim to Survive Challenge on July 26 at Crystal Pool to test your water safety skills and make sure that you are ready for your adventures this summer! 🚤💦

The newly expanded Banfield Park dock is the place to be this summer! 🌞🌳🌊
In response to its popularity, we’ve recently added more garbage bins, bike racks and a third accessible toilet.
Here are a few tips for enjoying this shared space:

• Keep dogs on leash
• Use the dock only while swimming or using watercraft
• Take all belongings and trash with you
• No glass containers
• No large umbrellas or sun shelters
• Leave the black walkway clear
• Non-motorized small watercraft only
• Don’t leave watercraft unattended

You can do your part to help keep Banfield Park clean and safe for the community and the environment. We can have nice things, Victoria! Thanks for sharing the dock. Learn more: victoria.ca/banfield

🌟 Don't miss out! Spaces are still available for the Richardson Multi-Sport Camps at Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre. 🏊‍♂️⚽🏀

Register today at victoria.ca/recreation and give your child the summer of fun and fitness they deserve! 🎉

Street upgrades have begun on Blanshard Street that aim to improve road safety in Downtown Victoria for everyone! Road repaving, traffic signal upgrades and new left turn lanes will improve traffic flow. Protected bicycle lanes, safer crosswalks and improved lighting will support walking, riding and rolling. Accessibility upgrades and new accessible parking spaces will remove barriers for folks visiting our downtown, and new trees and landscaping will beautify the street.

No matter how you get around, use caution when travelling near construction zones – slow down, remove distractions and follow directions of signs and crews for your own and others’ safety. Work will begin at Fort Street and move north towards Caledonia Avenue, with expected completion in early 2025.

To stay informed about construction progress and impacts, subscribe to Blanshard Street email updates at victoria.ca/signup.

Let’s Talk: OCP Update is happening tomorrow, July 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m.. Register to attend the online session to learn more, ask questions and share feedback on the proposed OCP update and key climate topics at: Let's Talk: https://ow.ly/EKb950Sm289

🌞 Join us for a summer of fitness with OUR DWTN Summer at Ship Point! Until September 19, we're offering fun and inclusive fitness classes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays like yoga and full-body bootcamp. 🧘‍♂️💪

Check out the schedule at victoria.ca/community-culture/arts-culture/our-dwtn

OUR DWTN | City of Victoria Established in 2023, the City's OUR DWTN revitalization program is investing in the downtown core with a focus on beautification, programming, cleaning and enhanced safety and the activation of downtown spaces. Close to $950,000 is allotted for 2024 to activate and refresh downtown through the OU...

Calling local artists! Apply now for this paid opportunity to create new temporary public art that will be showcased in the outdoor Commercial Alley Art Gallery. Visit victoria.ca/artists to learn more and apply by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 15.

Share your concerns + suggestions to help inform Victoria’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan at a pop-up event TODAY: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Victoria Public Market at the Hudson; 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Atrium, 800 Yates Street engage.victoria.ca/cswp

Drop by our pop-up event on Thurs July 11 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Atrium at 800 Yates Street to share your concerns and suggestions to help inform Victoria’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan: engage.victoria.ca/cswp