The District of Central Saanich has announced local architectural firm HCMA will design Central Saanich’s new municipal building for their facility replacement project. This is a significant milestone for the longstanding project, which will upgrade aging district facilities, currently located at 1903 Mt Newton Road.

HCMA has begun the work of developing designs and cost estimates for the facility, which will include municipal offices, fire and police facilities, as well as community and recreation spaces. Design concept drawings and financial options for a new civic facility will be presented to the community for input this spring. The concepts will include two designs for a building on Hovey Road, one with and one without recreation facilities, as well as a civic facility at 1903 Mount Newton.

“We are pleased to have HCMA working on this pivotal project for our community,” said Mayor Ryan Windsor. “Their impressive track record and design style make them the perfect fit for our vision. We are confident they will help us create a civic space that not only meets our current needs but also inspires and serves our community for decades.”

HCMA’s portfolio includes projects such as Victoria Fire Station No. 1, Saanich Fire Station No. 2, təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster, and Whistler Public Library.

“Our HCMA team looks forward to engaging with the Central Saanich community and staff to ensure the new civic facility is tailored to their unique needs long into the future, and strives to remove barriers, whether physical, cultural or social,” said Adam Fawkes, associate principal, HCMA. “We believe that the impact of a public building is often defined by how engaged the community is in its design, construction, and operation.”

A comprehensive series of engagement events and materials are planned to give residents a variety of opportunities to share their thoughts on the plans and associated costs.