There’s no shortage of car washes in Greater Victoria – but none quite like this.
Set to open on July 1, Speedwash Colwood is bringing what it says is the country’s longest express car wash tunnel to the West Shore, marking the Canadian company’s first foray onto Vancouver Island.
The fully automated system will be capable of washing up to 250 cars per hour, with each wash taking just three minutes from start to finish.
But the build is more than just big. Backed by a sustainability-first model, the facility will recycle up to 90 per cent of its water use – a critical feature as the Island heads into another dry summer.
“A lot of people don’t realize a tunnel like ours actually uses less water than washing your car at home,” said Dawson Weich, chief of marketing and technologies.
The site will also feature 20 self-serve vacuum stations, complimentary detailing tools, and eco-friendly soaps that are biodegradable and phosphate-free. Free vacuuming and matte washing will be offered for the first month after opening.
Colwood will be Speedwash’s fourth B.C. location, joining sites in Surrey, Langley and Chilliwack. They offer three separate tiers for washes (protect, shine and clean), with their highest tier costing $30 each, or $55 for a monthly membership.
Before that, though, the business plans to roll out the welcome mat in a big way. During its first week, it will offer free washes to anyone who stops by, no strings attached beyond a one-time phone number entry, with the company stating that it aims to give away 15,000 free washes.
The Colwood site has been years in the making. Speedwash purchased the land before the COVID-19 pandemic and has long viewed the West Shore as a prime target for expansion.
“We came out as a team and just fell in love with the Island,” Weich said. “It’s a growing community that deserves this kind of service.”
That growth has shaped the company’s long-term plans, which include possible future locations in Nanaimo and Duncan.
For now, the focus is on opening day. If construction timelines hold, Speedwash Colwood is aiming to launch July 1 to coincide with Canada Day.
Food trucks will be a regular fixture on-site, with space set aside for rotating vendors – an added incentive for drivers to pull in for a bite, a wash, or both.
“It’s not just a car wash,” Weich said. “It’s an experience.”
