31 replies to this topic

[Citified.ca]

 

 

Citified profile: https://victoria.cit...alt-gorge-park/

 

Japanese-styled community building coming to Esquimalt Gorge Park

https://victoria.cit...alt-gorge-park/

[Bernard]

Interesting looking building but who will staff this building to make it available to be used by the community?   Is this intended to be a community centre?  Is there demand for the use of this space?   

 

I have been regularly using this park for 15 years and I have not heard of any thoughts or ideas for putting anything like this in the neighbourhood.  I can only find this in the OCP 

 

Policy Develop plans for new facilities and park infrastructure at Esquimalt Gorge Park.

 

The OCP was adopted in 2018.

 

This feels like a project that is being considered because there is free money to use to build it.   Is this the most important thing for Esquimalt could be doing with the money?

[Nparker]

Now the $1 billion sewage treatment project makes fiscal sense. 

[Jackerbie]

Interesting looking building but who will staff this building to make it available to be used by the community?   Is this intended to be a community centre?  Is there demand for the use of this space?   

 

I have been regularly using this park for 15 years and I have not heard of any thoughts or ideas for putting anything like this in the neighbourhood.  I can only find this in the OCP 

 

The OCP was adopted in 2018.

 

This feels like a project that is being considered because there is free money to use to build it.   Is this the most important thing for Esquimalt could be doing with the money?

 

It's part of the "McLoughlin Amenity Fund Agreement" consultation and design work, which has been ongoing since 2017. Three potential projects were brought forward in October for consideration by COuncil: a multi-purpose facility at Esquimalt Gorge Park, a fenced dog park at Esquimalt Gorge Park, and an elevated waterfront boardwalk at Saxe Point Park.

 

The terms of the agreement limit Esquimalt to using the funds for parks, recreation, community, and public safety purposes.

Edited by Jackerbie, 06 March 2020 - 12:09 PM.

[RFS]

The dog park and elevated waterfront boardwalk would have both been way more useful and less costly long term

[Jackerbie]

^ To clarify, all three projects were brought forward for approval. There's $17M in the pot, and this pavilion is only $6M it looks like

[AllseeingEye]

^ To clarify, all three projects were brought forward for approval. There's $17M in the pot, and this pavilion is only $6M it looks like

 

Correct, all are going ahead. Could care less about the dog park as there are others in the region and sadly we sent ours to dog heaven 6 months ago, but I love the idea of an elevated walkway at Saxe Point. This facility looks like it'll be interesting to see what sorts of events can or will be hosted there. Nice design.

[Mike K.]

This’ll be good. All sorts of organizations can apply to use the space for meetings, receptions, etc.

[Victoria Watcher]

Ground breaks on Esquimalt Gorge Park upgrades

 

The contract for construction was awarded in August with construction beginning late September and an expected completion date of winter 2021.

 

Upgrades to the park – alongside 120 cherry trees – include rain gardens in the parking area to reduce stormwater surges; an oil separator in the parking lot to capture oils before they enter the Gorge; a reflecting pond with a waterfall and a Shinto gate; 100 parking stalls (up from 65) and two electric charging stations; bike parking and food truck portals with water and power access.

 

The pavilion will feature five rooms that can expand with dividers; large decks on both floors; washrooms with access for park users; administration offices; boardroom; and two kitchenettes. The environment is a consideration with solar panels on the roof and triple glazed windows.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....-park-upgrades/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 October 2020 - 08:53 AM.

[Nparker]

No provisions for overnight camping? What sort of city park is this?

[lanforod]

Why do we put things like a Torii here? Seems rather out of place?

[Victoria Watcher]

Why do we put things like a Torii here? Seems rather out of place?

 

 

 i think the place has a history of something japanese?

[VIResident]

It'll be a great place for weddings! suspect the building/area will be booked each weekend for years to come for wedding parties - this in itself will pay for any staff needed for maintenance.  Also fantastic for group meetings, small business conferences, even small entertainment venue.  Again, great revenue.  A good party place for birthdays, anniversaries and so on. 

[Jackerbie]

Why do we put things like a Torii here? Seems rather out of place?

 

 i think the place has a history of something japanese?

 

It's the site of the very first Japanese garden and tea house in Canada. Unfortunately it was looted by residents following the seizure of Japanese-owned properties during WWII, and ultimately was demolished due to it's irreparable condition.

 

EDIT: Here's a story in the TC about the current project and site history: https://www.timescol...malt-1.23412561

Edited by Jackerbie, 05 October 2020 - 10:02 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

No provisions for overnight camping? What sort of city park is this?

 

Shush you don't give anyone (ahem...Ben) any ideas please; this is actually a great proposal for this spot. Its about a 5 minute walk from our place to boot.

 

People - particularly those who enjoy dissing the neighborhood because of some misguided memories of 1970's Esquimalt - would be surprised how much family use this park gets generally. Its a nice park/rural retreat in the middle of the larger urban region, especially when you include the Gorge walkway across the water. And it certainly isn't the s*** show you find these days in virtually any park downtown. During normal non-pandemic times the whole area is, bar none, one of the friendliest and best Canada Day neighborhood parties in town. I like this plan very much.

[Nparker]

Shush you don't give anyone (ahem...Ben) any ideas please...

I don't think Comrade Ben has much influence in Esquimalt. Maybe if Comrade-light Jeremy represented his own municipality things might be different.

[Victoria Watcher]

Sewage funds helped Esquimalt to build $10M Gorge Park Pavilion

 

Building's design influenced by Japanese-style architecture, a link to a Japanese teahouse that used to be in Gorge Park; the teahouse was destroyed by vandals during the Second World War

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...avilion-5489160

 

 

 

 

 

The $10-million Gorge Park Pavilion set to open in Esquimalt this weekend will provide ­much-needed space for community programming overlooking the park’s famed Japanese Gardens, says Mayor Barb Desjardins.

 

The striking building covering 6,000 square feet on two floors is set up for banquets, classrooms, meeting spaces and small conferences.

 

The bottom floor has a large kitchen and serving area and the top floor has floor-to-ceiling ­windows with access to huge balconies overlooking the ­oldest Japanese gardens in North America and the Gorge waterway.

 

“It’s quite unique,” said Desjardins. “We’re excited about it because it gives our community a very special place.”

 

Esquimalt built the pavilion with funds it received from the Capital Regional District to build the regional sewage treatment plant in the township.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 June 2022 - 11:21 AM.

[amor de cosmos]

Now, a new teahouse has been erected in its place, a two-storey structure featuring Japanese architecture standing next to the Japanese gardens that remain in the park.

https://www.cbc.ca/n...arden-1.6493462

[Redd42]

Now, a new teahouse has been erected in its place, a two-storey structure featuring Japanese architecture standing next to the Japanese gardens that remain in the park.

https://www.cbc.ca/n...arden-1.6493462

 

Wow that article was misleading. Not anything like a tea house. The new building is more like an event centre or community centre. Only food service will be during events or meetings or some ones wedding.

[Victoria Watcher]

The Gorge Park Pavilion in Esquimalt officially opened Saturday, a replacement for a Japanese tea house that was destroyed by vandals during the Second World War.

 

Several hundred people came out for tours, speeches, and a performance by Uminari Taiko, an Island-based taiko ensemble who promote the art of Japanese drumming.

 

https://www.timescol...vandals-5494803

 

 

 

The design of the new pavilion, at 1070 Tillicum Rd., is influenced by the tea house and Japanese-style architecture.

 

Esquimalt received money from the Capital Regional District to host the sewage treatment plant at McLoughlin Point. That money was used to build the $10 million two-storey pavilion, which has spaces for weddings, banquets, classrooms, meetings and small conferences.

 

The pavilion features floor-to-ceiling windows and huge balconies that overlook the park’s Japanese Gardens.