With return of land, Songhees celebrate opening of building
Land returned six years ago to the Songhees First Nation has been reopened to the region after a grand opening and dedication ceremony at 613 Pandora Ave.
The building, leased by Moksana Yoga, had its grand opening Jan. 25, complete with the dedication of a mural painted by Songhees artist Brianna Dick.
Christina Clarke, executive director of the Songhees First Nation, said the building was part of a package of land returned to the Songhees by the province as part of reconciliation efforts.
An incremental treaty agreement between the province and the Songhees, signed in February 2013, handed over title to the 613 Pandora Ave. building — formerly home to the Provincial Capital Commission — as well as titles to 1310 Esquimalt Rd. and three small lots comprising 0.10 hectares in James Bay.
The deal was designed to create economic benefit for the Songhees Nation, while helping to build a better relationship with local government.
“The properties were challenging as they are older buildings and needed improvements and it wasn’t easy finding tenants,” Clarke said.
In the case of the Pandora building, Songhees provided money for renovations and offered a break on rent to allow Moksana to do tenant improvements.
“They did a beautiful job,” Clarke said, noting a false ceiling was removed and some brick exposed.
“As an office, it looked old and dingy, but now it’s a revitalized heritage space, it’s quite lovely.”
The nation leased the space at 1310 Esquimalt Rd. to Red Barn Market, while the small lot in James Bay — a parking lot — is listed for sale.
The First Nation has since purchased land in Langford near the Leigh Road interchange and continues to look for other development opportunities.
“Our strategic plan is to double the size of our land base, so we do acquire property whenever possible,” Clarke said, noting the plan is to make each site profitable and reinvest profits into community programming.