Central Walk, owner of Mayfair shopping centre and Tsawwassen Mills, has stepped in as the main source of funding for Victoria’s Canada Day festivities at Ship Point this year.
While the sponsorship amount has not been disclosed, it is believed to be at least half the $220,000 budget for the July 1 event.
“We are delighted to support the city’s efforts in presenting a diverse and inclusive Canada Day,” said Wei Hong Liu, chairwoman of Central Walk. “We view Vancouver Island as our new home, and by making this contribution, we wish to demonstrate our commitment to the community.”
Central Walk’s sponsorship is the biggest presenting sponsorship contribution the Canada Day event has ever had from a corporate partner.
Central Walk manages a real-estate portfolio valued at more than $3 billion, with Island properties including Mayfair, Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre and Arbutus Ridge Golf Course. It also owns the commercial lot south of Mayfair that houses Bed, Bath and Beyond, and has plans for a mixed-use project with housing and commercial uses.
Mayor Lisa Helps noted that this year marks the first time since the pandemic began that residents and visitors will come together for Canada Day in the capital.
The city is working hard to create a “fun, family-friendly, and inclusive event that reflects the diversity of our community and our country,” she said.
“We look forward to seeing everyone downtown that day.”
The festivities will begin with a traditional canoe protocol, with Songhees and Esquimalt Nation leaders escorting Helps and members of the Canada Day committee across the harbour to Ship Point.
The event will feature a variety of local performers, entertainment throughout the day, interactive activities, exhibits, multicultural food options and a fireworks display.
Additional funding for the festivities includes a $25,000 contribution from the city, a $50,000 contribution from Ottawa and a slew of smaller sponsorships and in-kind contributions.
The city is still looking for about $20,000 in sponsorships. Anyone interested in helping out can do so through the website: canadadayvictoria.ca.
The city is also still accepting applications for vendors who want to be part of a multicultural street market or from entertainers who want to be able to busk at the site on July 1.
Applications for the street market — everything from food to locally produced goods and entertainment — will be accepted until June 10. There is a vendor fee of $150.
A finalized schedule of events and a full list of performers will be released later this month.
