I understand the pride members take in the history of the Victoria Golf Club. It’s a beautiful space with deep roots in the community, but we need to talk about a more pressing issue – housing. Right now, Victoria is facing a housing crisis that’s affecting real people, including families, young workers, and seniors. While preserving history is important, it can’t come at the cost of addressing today’s critical needs.
Golf courses take up large amounts of land and mostly benefit a small, affluent portion of the population. Meanwhile, countless people in Victoria are struggling to find affordable homes. It’s becoming harder and harder to justify dedicating prime land to recreational spaces for the few when so many are in desperate need of a place to live.
Yes, expropriation or rezoning may seem expensive, but the cost of inaction is far greater. If we look at it as an investment, providing housing for hundreds or even thousands of people would have long-term benefits for our community. The reality is that land, especially in a growing city like ours, should be used in ways that serve the public good. In a time when affordability is top of mind for so many, we need to start thinking creatively about how best to use spaces like these.
As for the Musqueam’s land use plans, they’re showing a way forward. Their approach to the Shaughnessy Golf Course is a balanced one – preserving part of the course while repurposing other sections for different community benefits. It’s the kind of solution we need to be considering here. The housing crisis demands that we think outside the box, rather than dismissing ideas like this one out of hand.
The Victoria Golf Club is a piece of history, no doubt. But as stewards of both our past and our future, we have a responsibility to ensure the land we manage serves the many, not just the few. Now is the time for thoughtful dialogue and bold action to address the needs of our city today.
Jasper Duttenhoffer
Victoria
