Rain the day before put a damper on a planned ceremonial concrete pour at the under-construction Eagle Creek Village in View Royal Tuesday.
It didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the partners in the latest agreement signed with the massive retail/commercial project blossoming on the corner of Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way across from Victoria General Hospital.
Omicron, the developer of the 10.4-acre Eagle Creek project, announced that Coast Capital Insurance Services would be locating its head office in the five-storey office building on the property.
While perhaps not as high profile as the region’s second Quality Foods store that will be a major drawing card when the centre opens in late 2015, or the YM-YWCA gym being built onsite, the deal is significant for the fact Coast Capital is choosing to locate its head office on the Island rather than the mainland.
“Coast Capital Insurance has always has its foundation on the Island, from the days when it was West Coast Savings (and later) Pacific Coast Savings,” said Coast Capital CEO Mark Dutton. “Quite honestly, our footprint is here, our ability to stay loyal to our customers is here and I saw it as an opportunity to invest back into the Capital Region and the community that is on Vancouver Island.”
The office will bring dozens of employees to View Royal, a point not lost on Mayor Graham Hill.
“This is a huge opportunity and event,” he said.
“It speaks of great confidence, bringing 60 or more employees into this corner project, this icon, this gateway, is something that as a council and myself, we’re just delighted.”
He called the Eagle Creek project a “natural fit” for the site and something that will be a “wonderful addition” to the town.
Dutton spoke of the excitement amongst their employees when people found out about the decision to stay in Greater Victoria.
“We’re in a tight space today, so for people to know that they’re going to have somewhere to park, and be close to the Galloping Goose, and actually have a place to store their bikes better than we already have, was tremendous,” he said.
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union sold off its retail insurance division to Western Financial Group in July 2013.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com