The iconic Crystal Garden hasnB次元官网网址檛 been able to attract the business it had hoped after renovating the historic building.
The $10-million renovation wrapped up three years ago in the hopes of attracting more clients. But just then, the effects of the global economic crisis hit.
Business didnB次元官网网址檛 boom as many hoped.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been tricky,B次元官网网址� said Jocelyn Jenkyns, general manager of the Victoria Conference Centre, one of the businesses operating out of the 86-year-old building.
Since reopening after renovations in 2008, bookings have brought fewer delegates to the centre than in years past; major conferences were cancelled and larger conference centres have begun booking smaller events to draw any dollars they can, giving the Crystal Garden location more competition.
B次元官网网址淚 would have to say that there was a time, going back even 10 years ago, when things were very predictable,B次元官网网址� Jenkyns said. B次元官网网址淭hose days are gone now, unfortunately, and this is the challenge. Our partners in hotels have experienced the same thing.B次元官网网址�
Already though, 2011 is looking more promising.
With three new tenants securing spots in the building last year and three more bidding on spots now, itB次元官网网址檒l be easier to balance the books on the $350,000-per-year lease the conference centre pays to Crystal GardenB次元官网网址檚 owner, the Provincial Capital Commission, plus $650,000 in operational costs. The extra space Crystal Garden lends the conference centre brings bigger events to town.
B次元官网网址淭his year is probably one of the better years in terms of the number of events, but what weB次元官网网址檙e seeing in some areas is theyB次元官网网址檙e not always achieving the number of delegates they hoped,B次元官网网址� Jenkyns said. Some conferences pay per delegate.
To make up for lost local and out-of-town conferences, the conference centre has hosted more community events than in the past, including the Tea Festival and Culinaire.
B次元官网网址淏ut they canB次元官网网址檛 always pay top dollar,B次元官网网址� Jenkyns added.
Conferences create a symbiotic relationship between Crystal Garden and VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 tourism economy, said Mayor Dean Fortin.
B次元官网网址淐onferences give us an opportunity to showcase all the natural assets of Victoria to the delegates that come here,B次元官网网址� Fortin said. He added, B次元官网网址渓ast year was a really bad year, but this year is much better.B次元官网网址�
Jenkyns said Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 prospering tech sector is attracting conferences that hope to offer a glimpse of what the city has to offer.
B次元官网网址淧eople are wanting to come here to see whatB次元官网网址檚 going on, who are these people, whatB次元官网网址檚 happening,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he key is, no one holds a conference just to be able to stay in a destination, but we have it all going for us. So, when people figure out whatB次元官网网址檚 going on here from a business perspective, theyB次元官网网址檙e quite surprised.B次元官网网址�
Crystal Garden, designed by Francis Rattenbury, opened in 1925 and was once the biggest saltwater swimming pool in the British Empire.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
