513 replies to this topic

[Bernard]

Looks like a "trial balloon" to me. There wasn't much meat to the story. Just someone who has a great idea but they don't even own the land and the land owner was un avialable at press time. Not sure why it even merits a front page placement as it is all a dream until someone puts up the money.

I am not sure it would work well because of weather. There is currently one commuter ferry in this region and it does get cancelled from time to time because of weather and it runs in much more sheltered waters in Esquimalt Harbour.

The commuter ferry would have to have better than 99.5% certainty, ie no more than one day a year lost and ideally only every other year. I suspect this route would suffer cancellations once a month in the winter months and this would discourage a lot of users.

Also, if it is not part of BC Transit the cost would be too high for people to want to use it.

Thinking of that, imagine if BC Transit operated a small ferry service from the Tillicum bridge all the way out to Shoal point with stops in between. I think there would be demand for it. They could do it in partnership with the Harbour Ferries

[Bingo]

I am not sure it would work well because of weather. There is currently one commuter ferry in this region and it does get cancelled from time to time because of weather and it runs in much more sheltered waters in Esquimalt Harbour

I agree. A marina in this location is totally exposed to the southeaster that come in during the winter. A breakwater will only slightly reduce the storm surge, and windage on exposed masts will create havoc.

Commuters who think they can ride across this stretch into Victoria Harbour on a small ferry exposed to waves on the beam during a strong westerly or southeaster, will need strong stomachs

[LJ]

There was a piece on the marina and commuter ferry on A channel news a couple of days ago. The ferry they are looking at is 120' long so not really a small ferry, capable of carrying 300 people.

http://www.atv.ca/vi...4994_76089.aspx

[Fairbanks]

Great article about the sale of Royal Bay (former gravel pit) in Colwood.


http://www.timescolo...8261/story.html

[VicHockeyFan]

I didn't know the pension company owned all that stuff. Huh...

[14 West]

Lots of activity here today.

A few dozen excavators, graders, dump trucks, you name it... A bunch of signs up explaining what they are doing. Working on both sides of Metchosin road, they appear to be getting things ready for lots. There is also a sign with this development: http://parksideatroyalbay.ca/

[Mike K.]

I wonder why nothing has yet been built on the gravel pit-proper and so far only the perimeter of the site has been developed?

In my opinion this is by far one of the best development locations on the west shore. When the Royal Bay site really picks up and the waterfront amenities are built this will become a very desirable place to live and do business.

[HB]

I wonder why nothing has yet been built on the gravel pit-proper and so far only the perimeter of the site has been developed?

In my opinion this is by far one of the best development locations on the west shore. When the Royal Bay site really picks up and the waterfront amenities are built this will become a very desirable place to live and do business.

Which is why they should become a resdiential neighborhood of Langford in the way of amalgamation

[Mike K.]

What purpose would amalgamation serve with respect to this one project?

[VicHockeyFan]

New Activity in Royal Bay

The transformation begins

The owner of the Royal Bay lands has begun grading to prepare the site for development, control soil erosion and rehabilitate the land. Once this work is complete in late 2013, the site will be seeded to transform it from a gravel pit to a grassland, and will bring Colwood one step closer to creating a vibrant new oceanfront village at Royal Bay.
What to expect during this work

The City is working with the owner to ensure that every effort is made to minimize disruption to the neighbourhood. There may be minor delays on Metchosin Road where trucks and equipment are crossing from one side of the site to the other.

During the work, neighbouring properties may notice an increase in the amount of dust kicked up from the site. While it is very difficult to control dust, particularly in this oceanfront location where the wind is often strong, the City has required that the developer use dust control methods wherever possible.

http://www.colwood.c...ivity-royal-bay

[Mike K.]

According to the link a new secondary school will begin construction this month near the waterfront portion and a performing arts centre is also in the planning stage. It's good to see things progressing on this project after years of very little activity.

[LJ]

^As far as I know the school site is not on the waterfront side, it is at the base of the hill of the existing development with access from Latoria Road.

[Sparky]

Today at Royal Bay.

[VicHockeyFan]

I like that sign!

[MarkoJ]

I like that sign!

+1 that is awesome.

[D.L.]

It's just like signs used at construction sites in New York City - https://maps.google....257.98,,2,13.25

[weisguy86]

Just drove by the "gravel pit" yesterday for the first time months... incredible to see all of those piles o dirt, gravel and sand gone, the entire site almost level and soo many machines hustling around to make it all happen.

[Mike K.]

Those tiny machines you can see in weisguy's photos are in actuality MASSIVE but their size is lost in the scale that is Royal Bay.

[Nparker]

...Royal Bay (Colwood)...is ideal for Westhills type of housing.

I agree, after all it's already completely devoid of vegetation which seems to be the goal of the clearcut standard at Westhills.

[jdsony]

I know this is just prep phase but do they have any road improvements (other than within the development) for the traffic it will bring? Do they have any plans for commercial/mixed use? Any potential employers other than the usual Starbucks or Tim Hortons?