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Colwood park receives architectural marvel

City has bigger plans for Kelly Road beautification in works
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An artistic rendering shows what pergolas designed by renowned local architect John Di Castri could look like once they are installed at their new home in Herm Williams Park on Kelly Road in Colwood.

Herm Williams Park on Kelly Road in Colwood is about to get a designer touch with a history.

Work began last week to ready the area for the installation of two pergolas designed by renowned local architect John Di Castri.

He’s known for his work on many iconic buildings in Victoria and the University of Victoria’s campus, as well as 446 Goldstream Ave., the recently refurbished house that is now home to Nexx Financial.

While Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton said plans for the final design haven’t quite been finalized, she was sure the covered archways would be a great feature for the area.

They may also look familiar to residents, as they were originally installed at the entrance to the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria, but were removed renovation.

“We’re happy to be the recipients,” Hamilton said.

Colwood residents were given the opportunity to voice their views on where and how the pergolas should be placed back in the spring.

Herm Williams Park was eventually chosen as a preferred location due to its central location, visibility and proximity to other popular amenities.

Some tentative plans will see the structures installed in a small plaza with seating and landscaping.

Hamilton said they were also considering the option of adding a water park at a future date.

Barring unforeseen events, she added, the pergolas should be in place by mid-October, with some design aspects left until next year. “It’s going to be exciting and a bit of a change there.”

But these are just the first steps in a much bigger plan for Kelly Road, as the City is working on a plan to revitalize the busy corridor between Langford and Colwood.

“We want to spruce that up for residents,” Hamilton said, adding that Colwood wants to work closely with the public to develop a plan that also addresses safety concerns.

No start date is scheduled for that work yet, but it will likely be tied in with the installation of sewer lines along the road, to help minimize both cost and disruption.

For more information on the pergolas or other Colwood projects visit colwood.ca

katie@goldstreamgazette.com