Centennial Square’s future in Victoria still uncertain as new vision unveiled

The future of Centennial Square, which some call a downtown dead zone, is still up in the air, but an architecture firm hired by the city has painted a clear and vibrant picture of what it could look like.

The architectural firm Dialog, initially contracted by the city for $750,000 in January 2024, showed renderings of small canopy trees, a water feature at the core, playful elements, wood seating, new lighting, a sloped green lawn and flexible event space.

The vision is an “active, vibrant and family-friendly focused space,” described Jill Robertson, principal architect who presented the designs.

Council was only receiving the design update on Nov. 27. On Dec. 4, a likely rich and lively debate will take place as council will take up unfinished business: a past motion to cancel the project altogether.

“I will remind the rest of council, the reason we will be dealing with this next week is our fiscal capacity,” said Coun. Chris Coleman.

Council asked their most pressing questions, with Coun. Jeremy Caradonna raising four questions regarding what he called the most “controversial aspects” of the project.

Notably, Robertson and staff addressed the project’s tie to the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, adopted in 2025. Council decided to remove $2.5 million from the Centennial Square project in July and redirect it into funds allocated for the first steps in the community safety plan.

In response to a question from Caradonna, Robertson pointed out how the Centennial Square upgrade would enhance public safety and actually support the plan.

She described activating the space and transitioning from what is considered as negative use, or antisocial, to positive use, as “one of the most successful tactics” in improving public safety.

Caradonna also asked for clarification on the potential removal of the sequoia tree, as some members of the public are in stark opposition to its removal. The tree has been noted to block sight lines into the square, and director of parks, recreation and facilities Derrick Newman called it the “wrong tree” for the space, given its size.

The tree is in its juvenile state, he pointed out, and will only become more problematic. “It’s intended to grow significantly bigger,” he said.

He noted that the department continues to work with arborists to maintain/prune the tree and improve sightlines into the square, but described an ongoing battle. However, he clarified that the tree will not be removed in the project’s first phase and would instead happen in a second, deferred phase.

The third “controversial” aspect Caradonna asked staff and Dialog to address: what would happen with the three mosaic mid-century monoliths, currently a focal point of the Centennial Fountain?

It was clarified that during the first phase, the monolith would be taken and stored, but would eventually be relocated to Douglas Street Plaza in a later phase of the project.

Caradonna also asked for clarification on the public perception that the design’s water features are akin to a splash pad. “A splash pad is more of a suburban park with an emphasis on toys,” Robertson said. “We’re really thinking of this as a fountain,” she said. The purpose of the water feature is to add an attractive sound and give the square movement, vibrancy and playful elements, she said.

Several councillors raised concerns about the project’s costs. Coun. Stephen Hammond asked whether the debt would increase if the two pending grants did not come through. Newman confirmed that additional debt funding from the city would be required, but said he is “favourable” that the resubmitted UBCM grant will be reapproved. Staff expect to hear back on the other pending grant, an FCM climate adaptation grant for $580,335, in the new year. A $2 million Growing Community Grant is already approved.

Newman noted that downtown Victoria and Harris Green neighbourhoods are the fastest growing in the city, and that improvements to areas like Centennial Square can make the area more welcoming, increase economic activity and enhance downtown safety.

Robertson noted that the space was largely built 65 years ago, and the materials are starting to wear, including chipping of the concrete. “We’re starting to see the impact,” she said.

Hammond, along with Coleman and Couns. Marg Gardiner, previously voted to cancel the project when it came back before council on Nov. 6, in an effort to bring down the city’s 2026 portion of the tax hike.

However, a motion to postpone passed 5-4, with Hammond, Gardiner, Coleman and Coun. Susan Kim voting against.

That conversation will be revisited at the upcoming Dec. 4 committee of the whole meeting.

If approved, construction of the project is estimated to take 12 months and finish in early 2027.

“The project has divided the city somewhat, and we shall see what happens,” Gardiner said.