Pacific Undersea Gardens
#1
Posted 22 November 2009 - 02:33 PM
I couldn't believe how poorly maintained the facility was. Some fish looked sick and there were very few varieties that I could see. Granted, the water was sooty because of the recent rain, but the condition of the tanks left a lot to be desired. Almost no care has been given to maintaining a nice aquatic environment. The facility is also showing signs of disrepair and wear. Rust was evident in some spots, lights were burned out on the exterior and a good point job hadn't been applied in some time. It's like the maintenance staff followed the city of Victoria's Johnson Street Bridge maintenance check list.
Even though the pamphlet and signs in the facility said there would be a dive show, no diver ever came down and staff said there wouldn't be a show that day. They stopped short of saying there hadn't been any shows in some time.
The gift shop was no better. There was a window which was broken and couldn't open, so management stuck up a piece of paper telling employees not to touch it. An ice cream cooler sat empty with a sticky note warning employees to keep the lid open, and a little machine that kids could crank the handle on to flatten coins was out of service.
I would give this facility a 1 out of 10 whereas many years ago it was truly an entertaining and educational experience. Because of its prominent location on the harbour it is a poor reflection of Victoria to have our visitors experience something so disappointing.
#2
Posted 22 November 2009 - 02:44 PM
So I would have thought it would be in tip-top shape.
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#3
Posted 22 November 2009 - 04:12 PM
That chancre on the Inner Harbour should have been towed and scuttled long ago. IMO the worst tourist ripoff in town. It degrades the I.H.
#4
Posted 22 November 2009 - 04:57 PM
#6
Posted 22 November 2009 - 05:33 PM
AVOID! TOURIST TRAP! DO NOT GO!
Shameful!!!!!!!!
An Expensive Rip-Off
etc.
#7
Posted 22 November 2009 - 05:34 PM
(http://maps.google.c...&num=10&start=0)
Did ownership change or something? Seems like a money maker type of place with tourises. I wanted to check it out but now I won't.
Victoria current weather by neighbourhood: Victoria school-based weather station network
Victoria webcams: Big Wave Dave Webcams
#8
Posted 22 November 2009 - 05:45 PM
Was looking at reviews on Google. It seems like the reviews from pre 2002 were OK, but went downhill after that.
(http://maps.google.c...&num=10&start=0)
Did ownership change or something? Seems like a money maker type of place with tourises. I wanted to check it out but now I won't.
...the old reviews look like BS.
#9
Posted 22 November 2009 - 07:32 PM
Hard to blame the owners for not putting any money into it. When you wake up in the morning, open up the TC, and see a nice graphic of the inner harbour missing your attraction then you know the writing is on the wall.
#10
Posted 22 November 2009 - 09:20 PM
Victoria current weather by neighbourhood: Victoria school-based weather station network
Victoria webcams: Big Wave Dave Webcams
#11
Posted 23 November 2009 - 12:15 AM
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#12
Posted 23 November 2009 - 07:18 AM
#13
Posted 23 November 2009 - 08:40 AM
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#14
Posted 23 November 2009 - 08:47 AM
Oak Bay Marine Group has owned it since '72. If they've tired of it, sell it. If it's unprofitable, close it. Perhaps the lease of the real estate is too valuable to abandon.
I suppose it's neither. It still looks kind of cool from the outside. And from the outside, you have no idea what's in store for you once you enter. Some might think they'll be going down 1000 feet. If you are around the harbour, it seems like a pretty inexpensive little show, less than the cost of a movie, certainly less than the museum or even the Wax Museum (WM is $12 adults). It seems odd that on their website they'd chose to talk about all the junk they pull out of the harbour every year.
#15
Posted 23 November 2009 - 09:07 AM
Install two diesel engines and turn it into a Colwood/Victoria commuter ferry. Avoid the crawl and watch the fish. God, I'm a genius.
Awesome, I had the same idea awhile ago...well, the Albert Head/Inner Harbour ferry part, not the strapping engines onto PUG part, LOL!!
#16
Posted 23 November 2009 - 09:19 AM
-City of Victoria website, 2009
#17
Posted 23 November 2009 - 11:29 AM
#18
Posted 23 November 2009 - 11:40 AM
#19
Posted 23 November 2009 - 12:59 PM
#20
Posted 24 November 2009 - 11:22 PM
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