The University of Victoria is making its second attempt in five years to rezone the six-hectare Queenswood property as a new home for Ocean Networks Canada staff.
The 2011 application never made it to Saanich council, as UVic dropped its plan after hearing concerns from nearby residents, said Peter Kuran, president of UVic Properties.
The new request is for spot zoning limited to the 40,000-square-foot former residence established by the Sisters of St. Ann in 1967. The sisters left for Mount St. Mary’s in 2012, and no one has lived there since.
UVic purchased the Arbutus Road property in 2010 for close to the assessed value of about $10.4 million and could spend about $7 million on renovations, including a seismic upgrade, Kuran said.
The renovation would result in 30,000 square feet of usable space for open-plan offices and research, and other oceans and climate scientists.
ONC, which operates the VENUS and NEPTUNE ocean observatories, has just over 100 employees now but scientists come and go for short periods, making collaborative space the optimal layout. It is currently based in 11,500 square feet in the Technology Enterprise Facility near McKenzie Avenue and Gabriola Road.
UVic Properties is hosting an open house Monday to consult the community about its plan.
Neighbours were concerned the previous plan could include the possibility of six-storey buildings. “Since they are doing only internal renovations for one building, we are OK with it,” said president Eric Dahli of the Cadboro Bay Residents Association.
Queenswood is not the only new space sought by ONC, which is working on a proposal and funding to open an education centre at the CPR Steamship Terminal building in the Inner Harbour. Tenancy negotiations with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority began a year ago.
The open house is 6 p.m. Monday at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Rd.
