The owners of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel unveiled details today of a partnership with the David Foster Foundation which will span the next decade.
Foster attended the announcement, which involves "one of the largest donations to our foundation in our history," said the foundation's chief executive officer, Michael Ravenhill.
Kevin and Shawna Walker, owners of the hotel, will be making a seven-figure contribution to the foundation, which supports Canadian families with children in need of organ transplants.
The collaboration will be highlighted by a gala celebration planned for next May that will be the centrepiece of the hotel's grand opening.
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will host the event, a black-tie dinner featuring award presentations and a live auction of "about six or seven priceless items," said Ravenhill.
Following the auction, the doors will open to the general public for a concert by Foster and a number of special guests.
"It really will be a show you don't want to miss," Ravenhill said. "One you will always remember, and for a cause you will never forget."
The partnership coincides with the foundation's 25th anniversary.
"Victoria essentially funded the foundation for its first 17 years," Ravenhill said. "It only seems right and natural to come back to Victoria for a celebration,"
The full extent of the Walkers' 10-year commitment were announced today, after the ***News' deadline, but it was also confirmed that the partnership will be tied into the hotel's dinner theatre.
It's an opportunity to give back to the community, Kevin Walker said before the announcement.
"We've met many of the families that have been helped by the Foster Foundation, and these are some of the stories that we're going to begin telling in great detail (today)."
editor@oakbaynews.com