Victoria and Esquimalt vie for major grant to expand swimming docks on the Gorge Waterway

Swimmers in Greater Victoria could see new places to jump into the water in the coming years, as both the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt apply for major funding to build additional swimming docks on the Gorge Waterway.

The two neighbouring municipalities are entering the WAVE prize competition, a grant program that can cover up to 80 per cent of the cost of swimming infrastructure built on natural bodies of water. If either application is successful, the funding would be used to construct floating swimming docks along different stretches of the Gorge.

The Gorge Waterway, a narrow and relatively warm inlet connected to Victoria’s Inner Harbour, is already a favourite for summer swimmers and cold-water enthusiasts alike. At present, there is only one formal swimming dock along the waterway, located at Banfield Park in Victoria. Its popularity has helped fuel calls for more access points.

Residents of Esquimalt, in particular, have been pushing for a dock of their own.

“We’ve heard very clearly that people would like to have one here in the township,” said Robbie Young, Esquimalt’s parks manager.

The township has begun preliminary planning for a series of docks, starting with one at Esquimalt Gorge Park. The location already has washrooms, parking and open space, making it a natural candidate for swimming access. While final designs have not been completed, the concept includes a gangway connecting shore to a small floating dock.

Covering most of the construction costs through the prize, Young said, would make the project far more achievable.

The WAVE prize was launched in November and is coordinated by Swim Drink Fish, a Canadian non-profit focused on protecting waterways while encouraging people to safely enjoy them. Backed by funding from the Weston family, the program will award up to five grants ranging from $3 million to $15 million to local governments and First Nations across British Columbia.

The goal is to expand public swimming access in urban areas, reconnecting communities with nearby water.

In Victoria, additional docks were not previously planned, but the prize opportunity prompted renewed interest. City council approved staff work to explore potential sites and funding models, which quickly produced two viable options.

City staff have identified either an expansion of the existing dock at Banfield Park or the creation of a new dock at Cecelia Cove Park, a small shoreline area near the Selkirk Trestle. In both cases, community donors have already expressed interest in covering the remaining costs not funded by the grant.

Victoria city councillor Krista Loughton said increasing access to the water benefits both people and the environment.

“When people are able to enjoy natural spaces, they’re more likely to care about and protect them,” she said. “And honestly, it’s just good for people to have something that brings joy and happiness.”

Applications for the WAVE prize are due by Jan. 30, 2026. According to Swim Drink Fish, successful projects will be announced on a rolling basis throughout the year.