The City of ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 long-anticipated shift of events from the Esquimalt Lagoon to Royal Beach is officially underway with this weekendB次元官网网址檚 Eats and Beats Beach Party.

Mayor Doug Kobayashi said the move is something the city has been planning for years, and will only accelerate as the wider Royal Beach development is built out in the coming years.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 consistent with the messaging we have always had. Council is unanimous in not wanting to have all those commercial enterprises along Ocean Boulevard. We want to keep it as natural as possible,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always been the goal that Royal Beach will have the fine waterfront dining, the big events and activities in the future.B次元官网网址�

While the moving of Eats and Beats is the first major step toward shifting event focus from the lagoon to Royal Beach, Kobayashi said there have already been other shifts away from the lagoon.

READ MORE: Royal Beach development gains additional park space with approval of master plan

The summer live music events for example have seen Friday shows moved to a rotating list of parks and other locations in the city, with Saturday music continuing on the lagoon for now. Wildwood Saunas had their portable sauna setup moved from the lagoon to Royal Beach in the spring.

B次元官网网址淥nce Royal Beach is fully built-out, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be pretty phenomenal,B次元官网网址� said Kobayashi. B次元官网网址淏ut we also want to start getting people used to this being where the commercial events will be. WeB次元官网网址檙e also talking about doing other major events with Arts and Culture Colwood Society, so it really will be the gathering place.B次元官网网址�

While the final amenity designs for the area have yet to be finalized by developers and property owners Seacliff Properties and Reliance Properties, Colwood Council approved the areaB次元官网网址檚 parks master plan in April.

The site is expected to include a waterfront restaurant, covered public plaza, permanent amphitheatre, trails, nature parks, and ideally a mix of local businesses.

B次元官网网址淥ur vision is having it set up very much like Granville Island,B次元官网网址� Kobayashi said.

READ MORE: Wildwood Saunas sets up shop at new Royal Beach home