Downtown Waterfront Vision

Thank you to everyone who has contributed comments and ideas throughout the Downtown Waterfront Visioning process.  The plan has now been finalized and was presented to the Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 1st.  The final plan can be found here or by clicking on the image below.  The boards from the April 4th Open House on the draft plan can be found here.

The Town of Sidney retained Barefoot Planning of Victoria to develop of a vision for Sidney’s Downtown Waterfront area.

The goal of the project was to identify options for adding vibrancy and vitality to this area, enhancing it as a place where residents and visitors enjoy spending time throughout the year. The study area includes the iconic Beacon Wharf – a central public space that is enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the year.  However, the wharf needs major repairs to ensure its safety and integrity. Similarly, the Bevan Fishing Pier, Diver’s Point, and the waterfront walkway also require expensive maintenance. As a result, the Town needs a long-term plan to inform the future of these key waterfront assets.

With this in mind, the intent of this project was to:

[a] provide a “road map” to guide future investment in the area, with a view toward attracting more visitors and managing these key marine assets;

[b[ identify options for adding vitality and vibrancy to the study area, enhancing it as a place where residents and visitors alike enjoy spending time; and,

[c] support Council’s goal of better enhancing the downtown waterfront as a gateway to and from the ocean.

Public consultation was central to the visioning process. Barefoot Planning led a community engagement process that included a Public Ideas Fair, Stakeholder Charrette (workshop), and Public Ideas Gallery. See the Get involved link for more details.

The completed vision document is based on public and stakeholder input, contemporary best practices, and waterfront planning principles. The resulting recommendations will ensure that the key elements of the downtown waterfront complement each other and create a strong, cohesive identity.