New community centre at Craigflower Manor officially opens
View Royal, British Columbia – Today, Victoria Highland Games Association (VHGA) celebrated the opening of a new community centre built on the provincial heritage property of Craigflower Manor to provide a new place to hold public and private events in View Royal.
The new centre is 10,000 sq. ft building that can accommodate up to 300 people. It features a 4500 square foot main hall, multi-purpose meeting rooms, administrative offices and catering kitchen. Additionally, the centre is also fully accessible with a barrier-free design that includes a ramped pathway at both entrances.
The cost of the $5.5 million building was supported by both provincial and federal government funding. This included more than $484,000 from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund as well as a combined federal/provincial investment of more than $2.8 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This consisted of $1.09 million in provincial funding through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and $1.74 million from the federal government. Additionally, $750,000 in provincial funding was provided through the Heritage branch in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts Culture and Sport. The remaining costs were supported through private donations, and VHGA’s own contribution.
Craigflower Manor is a provincial heritage property and National Historic Site of Canada, located in View Royal. VHGA built the community centre with the purpose of providing a suitable venue that the public could rent for a range of events, including art exhibitions, musical performances, meetings and weddings. The anticipated revenue will go towards supporting the maintenance of Craigflower Manor, allowing it to become completely self-sufficient in its operations.
The Victoria Highland Games Association (VHGA) is a registered non-profit society established in 1937 and is the largest Scottish and Celtic cultural organization in Greater Victoria. VHGA has a renewable 30-year nominal rent tenure with the provincial government for its stewardship.
Quotes
“Craigflower Manor has been at the heart of the community, and will be for many years to come. This new community centre, which will serve as an inclusive space for meetings, gatherings, and ceremonies, will allow more residents to enjoy the beautiful historical landmark. Our Government will continue to invest in more projects like this that increase the resilience of our communities and improve the lives of Canadians."
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities
"The provincial government is proud to help the Victoria Highland Games Association bring a community centre to View Royal. This project’s thoughtful and accessible design contributes to a strong sense of community while enhancing the character of the site. I know that this venue will be cherished for years to come, and I’m thrilled that our government was able to help.”
The Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs
“This new community centre is the perfect complement to the Craigflower Manor property, and our government is so proud to support it. The building will strengthen the draw to this historic destination and support the health and growth of this community for years to come.”
The Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
"This community centre is not just a building, it's a beacon of hope, a gathering place for our diverse community, a space where we come together to connect, grow and thrive. It is a symbol of our commitment to building a better future for all of our residents. Let us all be proud of this new community centre and all that it represents."
Sid Tobias, Mayor of View Royal
“For people and communities to thrive, it’s important to have spaces to gather and meet, and the Craigflower Community and Performing Arts Center now offers this. I am so pleased to see it open and ready to serve the community for years to come and thankful for the collaborative work between the Highland Games Association, community organizations, federal and municipal leaders, and our provincial government. I congratulate the Highland Games Association for their hard work throughout the whole process.”
Mitzi Dean, Minister of Children and Family Development and MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin
“We are very grateful to the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada for their support of our Craigflower Community Centre project. Funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and other government programs has allowed us to complete this unique venue during a period of rising construction costs. The centre is a vision come true for our team of dedicated volunteers, and will serve as an important community and tourism hub for both the residents of View Royal and visitors for many years to come.”
Jim Maxwell, President of Victoria Highland Games Association
