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Victoria senior advisory committee outlines 2025 work plan; flags Downtown West engagement and senior facility planning
Summary
The City of Victoria Senior Advisory Committee discussed priorities for its 2025 work plan, including continued involvement in the Downtown West redevelopment, walking-route activation, updates to the senior resource guide and next steps on a potential senior facility at the Victoria Recreation Center.
Alyssa, a City of Victoria staff member, told the Senior Advisory Committee that members should finalize priorities for the 2025 work plan so the committee can present a draft to city council in April.
The work plan discussion focused on continued committee involvement in Downtown West planning, activating walking routes, maintaining the senior resource guide and exploring options for senior programming space at the Victoria Recreation Center. "So we're getting to that time of year where we're looking at the 2025 work plan ... so we can get that flushed out and brought to council at the very April so we can kick off the season straight away," Alyssa said.
Why it matters: the committee advises the City of Victoria on programs, outreach and parks planning that affect older residents. Committee members emphasized ensuring public spaces and transportation work on the Downtown West project account for older adults' needs.
Key points discussed included: - Downtown West engagement: Alyssa reviewed the project history: community survey results, a council-issued request for proposals and the council's selection of a developer in late 2024. Committee members said they expect more engagement as the project moves into design phases and as the Arboretum area transportation plan advances. - Transportation connections: Staff described a planned connection of Steiger Lake Lane to County Road 11 and roundabouts at Highway 5 and County Road 11 and farther north on Road 11 near a daycare as initial elements intended to maintain downtown access during Highway 5 construction. - New housing near downtown: Staff identified Olivine as a 145-unit market-rate apartment project and said a separate frontage development is by Roar's. Committee members noted added traffic and the importance of walking, seating and lighting in future public spaces. - Victoria Recreation Center and senior facility planning: staff said council postponed a scheduled workshop and that staff will bring council feedback and survey results back to the committee when available. The committee will continue to advise on short-term activation (furniture, programming) and longer-term facility options.
Committee members also reviewed past committee accomplishments the work plan will carry forward: the Donuts in Victoria speaker series, the senior resource guide, walking-route audits completed in 2023 and a Parks & Recreation 55-plus brochure. Alyssa said staff will return with a draft work plan next month for committee review.
The committee acknowledged that member Jack has resigned after roughly four years of service and noted staff will seek a replacement.
Looking ahead: staff plans to bring a draft work plan to the committee in March and then to council in April for formal consideration.
