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Oak Bay gathers information as it embarks on renewed marina lands process

Condition, potential costs form valuable base for coming marina lands engagement

Oak Bay council is seeking key background information as it continues work behind the scenes on its plan for the future of Spewhung (Turkey Head).

As they look ahead at what’s next and potential uses for the district-owned land at 1327 Beach Dr., which is currently under lease to Oak Bay Marine Group, council felt a need for updated condition reports and potential associated costs for decision-making, Mayor Kevin Murdoch said.

“We want to make sure we’re ready to move forward fairly expeditiously when we do move forward.”

As per the Community Charter, discussions surrounding acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements is held during closed or “in-camera” meetings. However, the information sought by council for those discussions was made public during the March 27 council meeting.

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Information sought includes inspection of the envelope of the buildings, as well as a wall evaluation to establish existing conditions potential scope of repair and associated costs.

“This would include exploratory test openings to review concealed details to evaluate the condition of a sample of the concealed components of the wall system to help define the scope of work and firm up budgets necessary to address any issues,” the agenda item reads.

They will also try to determine the extent of seismic code compliance and anticipated extent of damage in the event of seismic activity.

The district will seek someone to inspect the columns and supports on the west side of the dock works building to check for settlement and assess cantilevered reinforced concrete slab over the foreshore and identify potential cost or required repairs. It’s an inspection recommended every three to five years and last done in 2019.

Staff will have someone identify and cost out work required should the district want to bring the buildings into compliance with energy and environmental performance standards of the BC Building Code and identify whether it would be more cost effective to renovate or rebuild. The same will be done for the dock.

Having the updated condition and potential associated costs will help guide a financial analysis in decisions going forward on the site, Murdoch said.

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The district extended a lease on the land and buildings to the Oak Bay Marine Group as the previous 30-year lease expired at the end of 2022.

In 2020, the district issued a request for proposals for a new 30-year lease at 1327 Beach Dr. and in early 2021, two proposals were put to the public for review. The district received more than 600 responses as well as input through emails and at a special committee meeting before council selected what turned out to be Oak Bay Marine Group and entered negotiations.

Oak Bay faced backlash, including from the Community Association of Oak Bay, whose members told the Oak Bay News in 2021 that it felt residents didn’t have enough input. The marina lands are commonly seen as among the district’s most valuable assets.

“There should have been a vibrant discussion, a vision that encompasses a lot of community input,” association spokesperson Tim Taddy said at the time.

In July 2022 both organizations announced an agreement-in-principle on a five-year lease extension to allow time for more fulsome exploration of longer-term approaches as well as foster meaningful reconciliation and community engagement.

The extended lease expires at the end 2027.


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Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm dedicated to serving the community of Oak Bay as a senior journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
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