The City of Colwood’s long-anticipated shift of events from the Esquimalt Lagoon to Royal Beach is officially underway with this weekend’s Eats and Beats Beach Party.
Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the move is something the city has been planning for years, and will only accelerate as the wider Royal Beach development is built out in the coming years.
“It’s consistent with the messaging we have always had. Council is unanimous in not wanting to have all those commercial enterprises along Ocean Boulevard. We want to keep it as natural as possible,” said Kobayashi. “It’s always been the goal that Royal Beach will have the fine waterfront dining, the big events and activities in the future.”
While the moving of Eats and Beats is the first major step toward shifting event focus from the lagoon to Royal Beach, Kobayashi said there have already been other shifts away from the lagoon.
READ MORE: Royal Beach development gains additional park space with approval of master plan
The summer live music events for example have seen Friday shows moved to a rotating list of parks and other locations in the city, with Saturday music continuing on the lagoon for now. Wildwood Saunas had their portable sauna setup moved from the lagoon to Royal Beach in the spring.
“Once Royal Beach is fully built-out, it’s going to be pretty phenomenal,” said Kobayashi. “But we also want to start getting people used to this being where the commercial events will be. We’re also talking about doing other major events with Arts and Culture Colwood Society, so it really will be the gathering place.”
While the final amenity designs for the area have yet to be finalized by developers and property owners Seacliff Properties and Reliance Properties, Colwood Council approved the area’s parks master plan in April.
The site is expected to include a waterfront restaurant, covered public plaza, permanent amphitheatre, trails, nature parks, and ideally a mix of local businesses.
“Our vision is having it set up very much like Granville Island,” Kobayashi said.
READ MORE: Wildwood Saunas sets up shop at new Royal Beach home
