A new redesign proposal for Victoria’s Centennial Square removes the central fountain and a large sequoia tree in an effort to increase the square’s crowd capacity, improve its sight lines and make the staging of performances more efficient, according to a city staff report.
Newly released concept designs call for an approach that embraces “joy and whimsy.”
The square would, for example, have a seasonal shallow pool for the “young and young at heart to sit and linger” and a splash pad in the area where the fountain is now.
The 44-page report said additional amenities, such as a commercial kiosk, and expanded green areas will help to foster a space that will, hopefully, become a place for fitness classes and farmers markets.
There would be more electricity and water connections in the square and a new performance area next to the McPherson Theatre.
The existing stage would be re-purposed for “much-needed” equipment storage.
The revamp will allow the square to better host large-scale events of up to 4,000 to 5,000 people, holiday and night markets, and complement plans for transit improvements on Douglas Street, it said.
Currently, the fountain and its monolith artworks orient the square inwards and “preclude larger gatherings or other uses in the central part of the space,” it said.
On Thursday, Victoria city councillors will discuss whether they will move forward with the design, which could cost an estimated $11.2 million.
Historians, architects and others have urged the city to preserve the fountain, saying that it has critical historic value to the city.
In the revamp, the fountain’s three monoliths — a gift to Victoria from Saanich, Esquimalt and Oak Bay in 1965 for the city’s centennial celebrations — will be retained on site following a $150,000 refurbishment.
The report proposes moving the three fountain monoliths to the east end of the square adjacent to Douglas Street.
Coun. Matt Dell, who won his seat on a campaign that included bringing a splash pad into downtown, said he believes the proposed changes will keep the square busy with people from May to October. “I really like the new designs,” he said. “Downtown is desperate for new public spaces to help bring people into the inner city.”
Dell said the city heard “loud and clear” from people who wanted to see the Victoria’s first major piece of public art preserved.
“We asked staff to look at opportunities to retain those [monoliths] in the square,” he said. “I’m happy to see that balance struck where some of the important artwork can be saved, but we can also create a new space that’s going to be a lot more inviting for people.”
As part of the redesign, the large sequoia tree that dominates the square’s east end would be removed to improve sight lines.
The report said that tree is among three in the square that have “limited ability to thrive” and are causing damage to nearby infrastructure.
New trees would be planted to help reduce heat island effects, aid in storm management, and be from species of “appropriate scale,” it said.
Dell noted the project is receiving support from the provincial government in the form of a $4.5 million grant from the B.C. Growing Communities Fund. “That helped really bring down the financial challenges for the project.”
About $7.4 million of the Centennial Square project would be funded through debt, according to city staff.
University of Victoria geography professor and chair of UVic’s committee for urban studies Reuben Rose-Redwood said while there’s often merit in preserving heritage and historical designs, Centennial Square is due for a revamp.
“Back in the ’50s and ’60s, designers were more concerned with the visual appeal of the design and not necessarily concerned with how people are going to use these spaces,” he said in an interview before the report was released. “If it was being designed today, [Centennial Square] probably would look very different.”
Rose-Redwood said it’s important to remember that the square is not just for nearby residents and workers; it also hosts large-scale recreational and political events.
“This is one of the central focal points for political assembly and freedom of expression in the city.”
In recent years, attendees of large rallies on issues such as women’s rights and Black lives have filled Centennial Square to capacity, with people spilling onto surrounding streets.
The revamp proposal for Centennial Square involved Dialog, a design firm that has previously worked on projects such as the Shipyards in North Vancouver, the Edmonton Valley Zoo and the Royal Alberta Museum. Victoria council approved $750,000 for consulting and design fees.
The Centennial Square revamp has been in the works for six years.
If approved by council, a multi-phase construction process would begin in 2025.
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