Vic West

Vic West is a diverse neighbourhood with modern harbour-front condominium complexes which include the Railyards and Dockside Green, historic hilltop homes and single-family residences.

This neighbourhood is surrounded by water. Scenic shorelines are accessible by walkways, including Songhees Walkway, which connects its shipyards, marina, parks, and the Vic West Community Centre in Craigflower Village.

On its western border lies the town of Esquimalt. The Galloping Goose provides a beautiful pathway for cyclists and pedestrians which allows them to commute from Esquimalt’s city center to Vic West and over Portage Inlet.

The Songhees walkway will bring you to Songhees Point where you will find the Spirit of Lekwammen totem pole. It was a sacred place called Pallastsis, or “Place of Cradles” so named because, after a child learned to walk, their cradle was ceremoniously placed along the shore to ensure their long life.

There are plenty of parks here including Vic West Park which has the City’s only skate park, an enclosed off-leash dog area, a baseball diamond and playground equipment.

The Vic West Elementary school (SD61) serves families who have children in kindergarten to grade five.

Vic West has seen a great deal of development, especially adjacent to the waterfront. The Songhees developments of brick and glass integrate heritage and modern concepts in a diverse layout of residential units.

The community has embraced change while retaining their more traditional values. For instance, Vic West residents champion locally grown food with an active Food Security Collective.

The community maintains gardens and orchards including Shine Garden, Banfield Commons, VW Community Tea Garden, Evans Orchard, Hereward Park Community Orchard, and Banfield Park Community Orchard.

Vic West’s architecture and community is certainly an eclectic mix of modern and heritage.