Tim Collins

Contributor

In April of 2021, when the City of Langford announced the creation of a new cultural district in the core of the city, it might have been hard for some to envision exactly what was going to happen.

The project, which involved the revitalization of a segment of Station Avenue would stretch west from Memorial Parkway and promised to include artist studios, six business B次元官网网址榠ncubatorsB次元官网网址� and a community arts workshop B次元官网网址� all housed in custom retrofitted sea cans.

The area also promised space for food trucks, parking, a stage area and permanent washroom building.

It was a big promise for an area that was, at the time, a fairly run-down part of the city.

But by the time that the site officially opened in 2022, any doubts had been dispelled. In addition to the promised development, residents encountered a beautified streetscape with benches, grass seating areas, a dog park and new tree plantings.

It was quite a change from an area that the then-mayor Stew Young noted had, for 30 years, been a dumping ground for garbage and an area infested with scotch broom.

Fast forward to 2024 and Langford Station has become a popular part of the community and has just been honoured with the Community Project Award from the British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) for its role in supporting the cityB次元官网网址檚 economy.

The award marked the developmentB次元官网网址檚 excellence in economic development activities for communities with a population exceeding 20,000 residents. The BCEDA announced the award at the BC Economic Summit, held in Penticton on May 8.

Of course, what the award couldnB次元官网网址檛 express were the smiles brought to the faces of scores of people who have come to love this part of their community.

B次元官网网址淧rojects like the Langford Station foster community and entrepreneurial spirit by creating a space for connection and collaboration within the community,B次元官网网址� said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson B次元官网网址淐ouncil is setting the stage for Langford to become a vibrant destination for arts, highlighting and celebrating the diversity celebrated in our city. Over the coming months, the city is undertaking an Economic Development Plan, and Arts and Culture Plan, which will help guide the next chapter for arts and culture in Langford.B次元官网网址�

Residents of Greater Victoria and visitors alike are invited to visit Langford Station and especially encouraged to attend one of the many annual events including B次元官网网址淔ridays at the StationB次元官网网址�, an ongoing pop-up summer series produced by the Victoria Beer Society running until Aug. 23 this year. The weekly event provides an evening of entertainment for all age groups with live music, food truck options, flights of B.C. craft beer and shopping at local businesses and art studios. Other year-round events include the annual Show and Shine, the Food Truck and Music Festival, Treat Street and the Annual Winter Light Up.

Information on these events and others can all be found by visiting The Langford Station - City of Langford.

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