Like most people, I’m occasionally guilty of not taking advantage of the incredible opportunities offered for recreation, learning and more, right here in our own backyard.
When travelling in a different city or country, we make a point of seeing the sights and visiting the attractions, but while at home it can be easy to ignore the spoils of our own region, as their appeal gets lost in the routine and busyness of daily life.
And it’s not just the close proximity that should make these destinations attractive, it’s the fact that getting out in your own community helps make you feel more a part of that community.
In the 2016 Victoria’s Vital Signs, we learned 70 per cent of people over the age of 12 on southern Vancouver Island feel a strong sense of community belonging. Now, while this number is higher than both national (66 per cent) and provincial (69 per cent) statistics, I’m sure we all would like to see it rise even higher.
That’s why it’s our great pleasure to be presenting Victoria Foundation Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 16.
On a beautifully sunny September day in 2016, we collaborated with 25 popular attractions throughout Greater Victoria to present Victoria Foundation Day, an event honouring our organization’s 80th anniversary and a celebration of our community. The participating venues offered free admission, free parking, special tours and other perks that allowed access for all, with no financial barriers.
The response was incredible. With an obvious hunger for local opportunities, people turned out in droves to visit attractions as diverse as the Robert Bateman Centre, Boulders Climbing Gym and Abkhazi Garden.
The amazing response last year inspired us to bring the event back with even more attractions and a newfound focus on its community-creating potential. So for 2017, throughout the region museums, galleries, gardens, parks, non-profits, sport facilities and more will again be opening their doors, offering experiences, activities and knowledge at no cost, all in celebration of Greater Victoria and its residents.
So we encourage you to get out on Sept. 16 to see the sights, make some new friends and feel a part of our community. Please visit victoriafoundation.ca in the coming weeks for more details, including a list of the now 35-plus participating venues and an easy-to-use map of all the destinations.
I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
Sandra Richardson is CEO of the Victoria Foundation.
