Then and Now

Then... James Bay Athletic Association clubhouse at the foot of Menzies Street. Built in 1891 for $7000 the 4500 sq. ft. main clubhouse housed offices, meeting rooms and gymnasium-cum-dance floor. Attached was a 2400 sq. ft. floating boathouse. The property was sold to the C.P.R. in 1927 and J.B.A.A moved to a property on the Gorge that better suited the varied athletic pursuits of its growing membership.
Image B-08128 courtesy of Royal BC Museum, BC Archives

Now...The property at the foot of Menzies St was subsequently transferred to the Provincial Capital Commission to become a cornerstone of the Welcome to Victoria inner harbour promenade. The former floating JBAA boathouse is now the location of the Pacific Undersea Garden. The design of the space links upper and lower causeways as well as providing local pedestrian and foot passenger traffic from the Coho and Clipper a panoramic sweep of the Legislative grounds, The Empress, and the activities within the inner harbour.
Photo by Robert Tuomi.