Saanich’s Economic Development Advisory Committee is asking council to prioritize hotel development for a parcel of undeveloped district-owned land in the 4500-block of West Saanich Road.
At its April 3 meeting, the committee voted to recommend that council “highly encourage” hotel use as part of the upcoming Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) process for the site. An RFEOI is a step in which the district invites potential developers to share ideas and interests before submitting formal proposals.
The decision followed a presentation from Destination Greater Victoria highlighting the growing need for hotel space across the region, as “Victoria attracts millions of visitors annually, including over 900,000 cruise ship passengers.”
By the same token, committee members noted that hotel development could help diversify Saanich’s economy, support tourism, and take advantage of a North American hotel boom.
The 2.7-acre area under consideration currently has no buildings, and committee members acknowledged a limited supply of suitable locations for hotel development in the municipality.
At the May 12 council meeting, Coun. Susan Brice expressed her “enthusiastic support” for the motion, noting the municipality’s current lack of hotel space.
“I have felt for some time that to continue to make Saanich a complete community, we need to really start exploring entities such as economic development, retail, hotel, and so on, that the community would benefit [from],” she said. “I hope that Saanich would also be a place where the tourism industry would find a welcoming home.”
Coun. Judy Brownoff also voiced support for a modest, family-oriented hotel, citing nearby attractions like Commonwealth Place and UVic that draw a steady flow of tourists.
“We really don't have enough hotel space in Saanich,” she said. “Adding [one] to the mix of that site would be great,” she said. “I know hoteliers have been looking at various properties in Saanich, so it'll be interesting to see if anyone bites on this particular site because I do think it's in a great location.”
Equally supportive, Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff said he was pleased the project would not limit the land to hotel use, noting that more detailed discussion will take place at a future meeting.
“This motion is perfectly well timed,” he said. “If people can pitch a hotel with a doctor's office, that'd be quite nice, or some other options.”
The council unanimously approved the motion.
