Council to take next steps on Centennial Square redesign on Thursday

Councillors will decide today if the proposed plans for the square are ready to move forward or if further direction for staff must be taken.

There are multiple issues to address, from aging infrastructure to outdated urban planning. Centennial Square was built in the 1960s, with the fountain—donated by sister CRD municipalities to celebrate Victoria’s centennial—at the very heart. Now the city is reimagining the square’s purpose, with public festivals and community gatherings occurring more frequently there than they did when it was designed.

The proposed plan compiled feedback from pop-up events and the online survey, with 1,500 responses in total, 20 different stakeholder groups, and 12 design ideas from an “Ideas Jam” the city held.

If approved, the redesign would cost $11.2M, though $4.5M will be taken from the Growing Communities fund, bringing down the city’s rebuild bill to $7.5M. Phase 1 of construction is anticipated to start next year, with completion expected in late 2026. After that, Phase 2 would focus on adding greenery and commercial kiosks, which is slated to begin in 2027 and finish by early 2028.

Drawing people to the square

The proposal argues the current layout does little to direct people into the square, with commercial spaces pulling foot traffic away from it.

The new concept would see the main square flanked by two plazas with commercial space. In terms of urban flow, these plazas, it’s hoped, would  bring shoppers toward the square, creating a communal gathering space.

As condos continue to pop-up in the downtown core, the city aims to address the lack of nearby grocery stores and food options. The report calls the new square a public “living room” for those in the area, with food trucks and possibly coffee or retail kiosks filling the gap.

Fountain concerns

While many residents have been vocal about keeping the historic fountain in place, the staff report says that the aging structure is not worth the repair. The splashing water from the fountain has started to erode the monoliths at its centre—to keep these intact, staff have proposed relocating the monoliths to an alternative location in the square, either keeping them together or separating them at each entrance. The centre of the square would still feature a water structure in the form of a splash pad, that could be lit up to make it more visually appealing. The splash pad could be turned off, creating extra space for markets, performances, and other festivals, the report said.

Tree dilemma

While green space is a priority, the current trees, such as the large sequoia and sweetgum trees, have caused damage to the surrounding pavement. The roots are concerningly close to water mains, telecom lines, and storm drain systems. These trees are set to be replaced with 17 new trees that would be planted in soil cells to contain the root system, preventing the same damage from occurring. Native plants and a sloping grass area next to McPherson Playhouse are also part of the plans.