VICTORIA

Treehouse Media changed hands this August, as founder Steve Hutchinson officially retired and handed the reins to Don Landels. Don joined Steve in 2016, and together they built Treehouse Media into an agency defined by strong client relationships. Cory Landels also joins Treehouse, bringing 10 years of expertise in graphic media, website design, and digital marketing.

BGO has announced the acquisition of two multi-family residential assets. The company has acquired the remaining 50 per cent interest in Pivot, a newly constructed 36-storey, 361-unit rental community located in Toronto. Additionally, BGO has also acquired The James, a 12-storey, 219-unit property situated in Victoria.

The new Route 72A Swartz Bay/YYJ/Downtown is being introduced by BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission to offer added direct service to Victoria International Airport (YYJ) during early morning and late-night travel hours. 

Barb Bourne, a manager at McDonald’s on 3465 Saanich Road in Victoria, has been honoured as one of the top 1 per cent of managers globally. 

A new primary care clinic will be opened in Eagle Creek Village by the Town of View Royal and Aroga Lifestyle Medicine Victoria Ltd. (Aroga) before the end of 2026.

Lumache, a small restaurant in Victoria at 1001 Douglas Street, has been chosen as one of the finalists for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2026. 

The 2027 BC Tourism Industry Conference is set to take place at the Victoria Conference Centre from February 24 to 26, 2027. 

Ratehub.ca‘s August affordability report says that in Victoria and a few other Canadian cities, buying a home became a little more affordable than it was the previous month. 

Denciti Development Corp. celebrated the grand opening of Anchor, a purpose-built rental development located at 829 Old Esquimalt Road.

The Cool Aid Society officially opened the Joe Haegert Community Health Centre on September 9th for the unhoused community in Victoria. 

A 12-story rental tower with ground-level retail spaces will eventually replace a 367-stall public parkade in the 600-block of Broughton Street after a development plan has been approved by the council. 

Crystal Pool is currently in its final week of operation before it is closed for replacement on September 25. This closure will facilitate the construction of a new facility. 

Spencer Block, located at 610 Herald Street and 635 Chatham Street has started leasing their rental homes.

Baggins Shoes has announced the permanent shutdown of operations this year.

The popular Thunderbird Korean Fried Chicken on Cook Street has announced that it will be closing permanently this month. 

The University of Victoria (UVic) has been awarded $800,000 from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PCIS) for eight research teams at the university. Projects include: 

  • Managing Sustainability Transitions in British Columbia: Analytical Tools, Governance Frameworks, and Transitions Management Practice
  • Beneath the Fireline: social–ecological dialogues on groundwater, wildfire resilience, and governance in a changing climate
  • Understanding and Addressing Climate Disinformation in British Columbia
  • Beyond Rebates: Capital Recycling Mechanisms for Clean Tech Adoption
  • Wuikinuxv Clam Garden Restoration Project
  • Gitxsan Climate Storywork: Weaving Knowledge, Art, and Relationships with Land
  • Restoring suuḥaa to haʔukmin: A Climate Adaptation and Watershed Rebuilding Initiative
  • Operationalizing the “Kaska adaptive stewardship cycle” (KASC): Weaving Kaska knowledge and Western science for informed climate-related decision-making and Kaska climate leadership

  

SAANICH 

Const. Jennifer Allen has been honoured with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) 2026 Road Safety Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Centurion Properties, the owner of Ridgeview Place (also known as Danbrook One), has informed the City of Langford that the structure is anticipated to be deconstructed. 

A project is set to begin in October for the partial demolition and replacement of the oldest section of the West Shore RCMP detachment. This building is jointly owned by theCity of Langford, City of Colwood, and Town of View Royal.

The District of Saanich has marked the successful completion of the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project. This initiative features 6.7 kilometres of new bike lanes, four kilometres of enhanced sidewalks, and major upgrades to underground utilities, including around 4.3 kilometres of water infrastructure, 3.8 kilometres of sanitary sewer, and 3.1 kilometres of storm sewer. 

A total of over $2.2 million in funding has been pledged by the federal government and the Capital Regional District which will be allocated to the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) for the purpose of conducting another feasibility study on the restoration of rail between Vic West and Langford. The federal government will contribute $500,000, while the CRD will contribute $1.7 million.

 

SOOKE 

Scott Abrahamson has been appointed as the head of the Colwood Fire Department, and Assistant chief Josh Pettigrew is now serving as the Deputy Fire Chief and second in command. 

Mandala Center for Health & Wellness is celebrating its 15th anniversary. 

Graves Karate & Strength has officially opened at 3451 Vision Way, in Colwood. 

The Bear Mountain Golf and Tennis Club will host the fourth annual Indigenous Challenge Cup from September 22 to 24.

The Colwood Clinic has welcomed Dr. Swathi Ravinuthala to the team.

The 30th annual Alpine/GFL Juan de Fuca Fishing, which was organized by the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition at Pedder Bay Marina on September 6, raised over $80,000 for community projects, conservation, recreational fisheries advocacy, and salmon restoration. 

 

PENINSULA

Mary Winspear Centre is celebrating 25 years of bringing people together on the Saanich Peninsula. 

The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, ArtSea Community Arts Council.

Art Soul Studio, owned by Jess Glover, has recently opened at 9802 Fifth Street, Sidney.