Saanich - Nigel Valley

A sketched map of the Nigel Valley development.


Overview

The Nigel Valley Redevelopment covers nine acres of land in Saanich, next to District Hall. The site is bordered by Vernon Avenue to the south, Lochside Trail to the west, and Darwin Avenue to the north. The Nigel Valley Redevelopment is an opportunity to provide hundreds of modern new homes and care facilities for individuals, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities or mental health challenges.

BC Housing is working in close partnership with the District of Saanich and several local non-profit societies to advance the project. Together, BC Housing and the following organizations make up the Nigel Valley Steering Committee: Broadmead Care, Garth Homer Society, Greater Victoria Housing Society, and Island Community Mental Health Association. The Nigel Valley Steering Committee Vision includes a goal of building:

“A thriving and inclusive community where everyone can feel at home and connected.”

By working together, these groups recognized an opportunity to create a more connected neighbourhood with more housing and care services.

The Comprehensive Development Plan includes a mix of housing types and improvements to public spaces such as streets, utilities, a public plaza, and a park. Housing in Nigel Valley will be made up of a mix of affordable and market-rate rental homes, long-term care beds, and homes with supports. Each non-profit partner within the Nigel Valley site will manage its own development to align with the Comprehensive Development Plan.

Project Update

Master Planning Phase (2015-2019)

The Nigel Valley Steering Committee was consulted in detail during the Master Planning phase. Community engagement for this phase took place throughout 2018, including a public hearing. A Comprehensive Development Plan was approved for zoning in 2019.

Phase 1 (Civil Works and Residential Development) - (2021-2026)

The first phase began with improvements to public roads and sidewalks, including portions of Vernon Avenue and Nigel Avenue. These changes were completed in 2023, allowing for the start of two redevelopments:

  1. Broadmead Care Society’s Nigel House: This new long-term care facility at 851 Nigel Avenue includes 88 homes, with 41 long-term care beds, 37 homes for seniors and veterans, and 10 affordable rental homes for seniors and veterans. Nigel House is complete and welcomed residents in Fall 2025.
  2. Greater Victoria Housing Society’s Nigel Square: This five-story apartment building at 856 Nigel Avenue will offer 70 rental homes for low- and moderate-income individuals, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2026.

Phase 2 (Civil Works) - (2026-2027)

In the second phase, more public space improvements are planned, including upgrading underground utilities and streets, replacing a nearby sewage lift station, and creating a new public plaza. Community engagement for this phase took place in 2024. Construction for this phase is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2027.

Phase 3 (Civil Works) (date TBC)

The final phase of civil works includes a new road connecting Nigel Avenue and Darwin Avenue, as well as a new public park. Design work for the park will involve neighbourhood engagement. The timeline for Phase 3 will be confirmed once funding and municipal approvals have been issued for Phase 3 housing and care redevelopments.

Questions?

We welcome questions to Community Relations: communityrelations@bchousing.org


Overview

The Nigel Valley Redevelopment covers nine acres of land in Saanich, next to District Hall. The site is bordered by Vernon Avenue to the south, Lochside Trail to the west, and Darwin Avenue to the north. The Nigel Valley Redevelopment is an opportunity to provide hundreds of modern new homes and care facilities for individuals, families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities or mental health challenges.

BC Housing is working in close partnership with the District of Saanich and several local non-profit societies to advance the project. Together, BC Housing and the following organizations make up the Nigel Valley Steering Committee: Broadmead Care, Garth Homer Society, Greater Victoria Housing Society, and Island Community Mental Health Association. The Nigel Valley Steering Committee Vision includes a goal of building:

“A thriving and inclusive community where everyone can feel at home and connected.”

By working together, these groups recognized an opportunity to create a more connected neighbourhood with more housing and care services.

The Comprehensive Development Plan includes a mix of housing types and improvements to public spaces such as streets, utilities, a public plaza, and a park. Housing in Nigel Valley will be made up of a mix of affordable and market-rate rental homes, long-term care beds, and homes with supports. Each non-profit partner within the Nigel Valley site will manage its own development to align with the Comprehensive Development Plan.

Project Update

Master Planning Phase (2015-2019)

The Nigel Valley Steering Committee was consulted in detail during the Master Planning phase. Community engagement for this phase took place throughout 2018, including a public hearing. A Comprehensive Development Plan was approved for zoning in 2019.

Phase 1 (Civil Works and Residential Development) - (2021-2026)

The first phase began with improvements to public roads and sidewalks, including portions of Vernon Avenue and Nigel Avenue. These changes were completed in 2023, allowing for the start of two redevelopments:

  1. Broadmead Care Society’s Nigel House: This new long-term care facility at 851 Nigel Avenue includes 88 homes, with 41 long-term care beds, 37 homes for seniors and veterans, and 10 affordable rental homes for seniors and veterans. Nigel House is complete and welcomed residents in Fall 2025.
  2. Greater Victoria Housing Society’s Nigel Square: This five-story apartment building at 856 Nigel Avenue will offer 70 rental homes for low- and moderate-income individuals, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2026.

Phase 2 (Civil Works) - (2026-2027)

In the second phase, more public space improvements are planned, including upgrading underground utilities and streets, replacing a nearby sewage lift station, and creating a new public plaza. Community engagement for this phase took place in 2024. Construction for this phase is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2027.

Phase 3 (Civil Works) (date TBC)

The final phase of civil works includes a new road connecting Nigel Avenue and Darwin Avenue, as well as a new public park. Design work for the park will involve neighbourhood engagement. The timeline for Phase 3 will be confirmed once funding and municipal approvals have been issued for Phase 3 housing and care redevelopments.

Questions?

We welcome questions to Community Relations: communityrelations@bchousing.org