BC Transit has been named the winner of the 2022 Synergy Foundation EcoStar Award for Leadership in Design & Construction in recognition of the innovation and environmental leadership underway at the Victoria handyDART centre in View Royal. The winners were announced on November 10 at the annual EcoStar Awards in Victoria.
BC Transit was recognized for the redevelopment of the eight-acre site at 2401 Burnside Road, which presented a tremendous opportunity to improve the environmental health of the property and introduce new innovative environmental stewardship and community engagement approaches. An established neighbourhood working group, local streamkeepers and Indigenous groups are actively engaged, providing input that has informed everything from design and sustainability principles, building placement, environmental mitigation, third party certification and construction management approaches.
“We’re honoured to receive this award for leadership in design and construction as we strive to set a new standard for our facilities across the province,” said BC Transit President and CEO Erinn Pinkerton. “It showcases how involving diverse perspectives in the development of transit facilities can help advance community and environmental priorities.”
The new centre will be BC Transit’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified building and is set to open in 2024 with the eventual goal of having Victoria’s first fully electric handyDART fleet. Rain gardens on the property will manage stormwater and more than 8,000 native plants and 350 trees are being planted onsite.
The importance of protecting Craigflower Creek, a salmon bearing stream that runs along the eastern edge of the property was identified early on. When the Island Highway was built in the 90’s, a large amount of fill was placed on the site, including within the riparian zone of the seasonal stream, which then became overgrown with weeds, blackberries and other invasive species providing very little habitat value for this seasonal stream which flowed across the property and joined Craigflower Creek.
Responsive to the strong interest in protecting Craigflower Creek and the opportunity to restore the ecological health of the site, the seasonal stream was moved to the western and southern edge of the property, creating over one acre of restored and protected habitat for amphibians and Coho and other juvenile fish. The regenerative practices have resulted in the most significant restoration project currently underway within the Craigflower Creek watershed.
“The project is the first development on Vancouver Island to receive Salmon Safe certification, as BC Transit was recognized for excellence in water conservation, stormwater management and restoration of a salmon bearing stream,” added Aaron Lamb, BC Transit’s Vice President of Asset Management and Chief Sustainability Officer. “Certification of the site was announced by the non-profit Fraser Basin Council and its Salmon Safe program, which recognizes progressive, environmentally friendly land and water management practices in B.C.”
Ongoing consultation has helped identify local Indigenous groups’ interests and perspectives and has provided opportunities for these groups to be involved in the development and implementation of the project. Opportunities for plantings, art, naming, and signage to highlight cultural and environmental knowledge informed by Indigenous communities are also being explored.
All trees removed have been salvaged and re-used on site as part of the habitat restoration. Over three acres of the eight-acre site will be enhanced with new sidewalks, landscaping, park space and through environmental restoration. BC Transit has worked closely with the Town of View Royal on the new municipal park space being introduced as part of the project.
BC Transit congratulates all the 2022 Synergy Foundation EcoStar Award nominees and winners.
To see more about how the project has worked with the community:
Watch the project video
Check out the hands-on, nature-based learning from our school planting event
Visit the View Royal handyDART project webpage
Media contact
BC Transit Communications
250-880-1303 | media@bctransit.com
