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Myths & Facts

ADDRESSING MYTHS

Ready to answer your questions

The Victoria International Marina team understands there has been concern in the community about this project.

We are eager to provided information that may set people's minds at rest. We have included answers to some of the common myths about this development.

We are ready to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have about the proposed marina.

Myths & Realities

artist's rendering, drawn to actual size and scale, that depicts a 135-foot vessel moored in the marina. This is the largest yacht that the marina will accomodate.
Above is an artist's rendering, drawn to actual size and scale, that depicts the marina layout and design. 

SIZE AND SCALE

  • Transport Canada required the marina only takes vessels 65' or larger.
  • The floating marina will occupy 1.73 hectares, half the size of the Fisherman’s Wharf marina across the harbour which occupies about 3.3 hectares.
  • Boats in the marina will not block views of the Olympic Mountains and we will maintain most waterfront and harbour views.
  • People who bought condos in the adjacent condo buildings were advised of the marina zoning (which has been in place since 1993) at the time of purchase; view corridors have been considered in every aspect of the marina design.
  • One-third of the Songhees condominiums do not have ocean views. The marina provides an opportunity for residents to interact on the water near their homes. The coffee shop will become a great place for neighbours to meet.
  • The original 1984 Concept Plan for the Songhees, published by the City of Victoria and Province of B.C., included a marina of 9.98 acres. After substancial input from the City and residents, the marina layout now covers only 4.27 acres of Crown land. That makes it 5.71 acres smaller than what was originally envisioned in the City’s planning documents.
  • The two marina buildings have a combined frontage of just 57 meters; They will have limited impact on the views along the four-kilometre Westsong walkway.
     

BOAT MOVEMENTS

  • The marina will account for just 0.36 per cent of all harbour traffic - only two boats a day coming and going from the middle harbour in low season and only four boats a day during the summer months
  • In total, the marina will acount for an estimated 1,460 movements per year.
  • In contrast, the Victoria Harbour Ferries account for approximately 90,000 boat movements in the harbour each year.

SAFETY

  • For an aerial view of the marina location, click here.
  • The marina will not reduce the safety of ferry, boat, paddling, and airline traffic in any way. It will not confine, reduce or impede existing harbour traffic pathways in any way.
  • The marina will not extend to Pelly Island. It is bound by Transport Canada rules and is set 225 feet away from Pelly Island to allow for float plane, harbour ferry and paddling traffic.
  • Ferry, boat, and airline traffic will continue to operate in exactly the same areas as currently defined under the Port of Victoria Traffic Scheme, as published by Transport Canada.
  • An exclusive paddling route has been designed for paddlers and to Transport Canada criteria. It is navigable by kayaks, canoes, dragon boats and even six-man outrigger canoes. While the route is an average of twelve-meters wide, for safety reasons the channel narrows to eight-meters when travelling under marina buildings. This width is maintained as a minimum at all tide levels. The paddling corridor between the marina and the shore ensures paddlers can travel past the marina without any interference from other harbour traffic.   

Get the facts.