“We were looking for a place to live and one day I saw this house. It had flower beds that were probably planted in the early 1900s and it just had this character to it,” Smith explained.
It was that idyllic picture that has kept Smith in the village.
“It’s a beautiful spot and now big changes are coming which will help us sustain our community.”
On Saturday Wayne Easter, MP for Malpeque, announced that ACOA and the federal government were dedicating $647,307 to help with the community’s protective upgrades to the area.
“I think it will substantially improve the livability of the community. Their sea wall was falling apart and this money will help rebuild it.”
The funding will also help with building a new pedestrian pathway to connect the picturesque waterfront with the community’s green space and business areas and develop the green space with visitor parking. It will also help with upgrades and expansions to the historic Victoria schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse will function as a regional rental space and the community council’s office.
Along with the funding from ACOA, the community will contribute $480,000 with another $20,000 from the South Shore Tourism Development Fund.
“With the improvement of the sea wall, the community maintains it’s picturesque reputation,” Easter said.
Coming with the schoolhouse renovations are solar panels the community plans to use to help substitute some electrical costs.
“The fact that they’re using solar panels goes above and beyond the community meeting their energy needs. It gives Islanders an experimental concept on meeting our energy needs as a whole,” said Easter.
Ben Smith, Victoria’s council chairman, said the three-tier plan has been years in the making.
“This is a great day for Victoria. It is a moment in Victoria’s progressive evolution.
“First, we will replace our collapsed sea wall, supporting our fishing and tourism industry. We’re also installing a walk-way that will go through the village taking visitors and citizens to the shops as businesses as well as the shore.”
Finding a parking space in the summertime is hard, said Smith.
“Parking is always a huge problem both for residents in the area and for tourists. But with this investment we’ll have an outdoor space for people to leave their cars… and then they can take the new walk-way around the village.”
But Smith is really excited about the renovations on the schoolhouse.
“It is currently in disrepair and the lot the schoolhouse is on is adjacent to our village water supply.
“With the renovations we’ll be protecting our well and we’ll put up new sustainable energy initiatives.
“We have a lot to look forward to.”
