One of the Greater Victoria’s largest watering holes will be out of the rotation for about a month as the Sticky Wicket undergoes a major renovation.
“After 22 and a half years, it was time to do a reno,” said owner Grant Olson.
Olson said the reno of the largest pub in the Strathcona Hotel will include replacing its main bar with an improved shape and seating as well as changes to the floor plan and raising an area of the bar.
“Basically, we will also be jazzing it up to keep the thing fresh,” Olson said, adding that will mean new carpeting throughout the space.
Work got underway on the site following last week’s Super Bowl, a major draw for the room, and Olson expects it should be complete early in March.
“The only time to do these things is January and February,” Olson said of the slowest months in the “drinking” year.
“And we had a fair amount of action in January with the [Pacific Cup Oldtimers hockey tournament], the Truck Loggers Association [annual convention] and Super Bowl.”
The Sticky Wicket, which boasts about 250 seats, is a collection of several rooms offering a slightly different feel in each space.
It opened in 1990 as a massive addition to the hotel. In 1994, it had its coming-out party as it was ground zero for fun during the Commonwealth Games.
The Strathcona’s four bars — The Sticky Wicket, Big Bad John’s, the Clubhouse and Club 9One9 — have a capacity for more than 1,600 people, making it the largest entertainment centre on Vancouver Island.
