Sep
6
By Doreen Marion Gee
The history of Ogden Point mimics the lifespan of the butterfly. The port was cocoon-bound for ages as a gritty, stark industrial area. But in the last few years, Ogden Point has morphed into a manicured area of art and beauty. This green aesthetic makeover is largely due to The Ogden Point Enhancement Society. Our treasured seaport has also blossomed with intrigue and interest, harbouring vessels stained with controversy.
Thanks to the Ogden Point Enhancement Society (OPES), our port-of-call got a landscaping facelift. In 1996, Bob Cross (reigning mayor) organised a group of volunteers to transform Ogden Point into a visually pleasing port with abundant public space and access. Thus the OPES was born with its quest to beautify the desolate, grey concrete cruise ship area. The Society's holy grail was the Concept Plan, which called for designated safe areas for vehicles and pedestrians. Its vision was to transform an ugly duckling into a swan for tourists.
A major enhancement by the OPES was the Ogden Point South Shore Greenway Project. This promoted public access and enjoyment of our south shore by creating a Marine Access Corridor linked to the shoreline corridor that extends from Ross Bay to Beacon Hill and the breakwater. Now locals and visitors can savour the true splendour of our oceanside piece of paradise. Phase I of the Greenway Plan was opened in 1997: the perimeter fence was gone and a strip of trees and shrubs graced the new access area. The drab Dallas Road entrance was turned into a virtual butterfly; stately lamps stood with hanging baskets of gorgeous flowers; flagpoles, banners and benches gleamed in the sun and two stonework signs marked the Dallas Road entrance. Phase II was finished in 2001, boasting a waterfront walkway, viewpoints and green space.
The head of Pier South A is now called Confederation Point. Kiosk No.1 was installed there in 2001, celebrating the role of Ogden Point and the harbour in shaping the cultural history of Victoria. Another "butterfly" moment was the addition of a second kiosk, by the OPES. It is an Ecological Information Kiosk that complements the underwater plaques on the Breakwater.
Na' Tsa' mant means Unity Wall. In 2009, work was started on a sea and land mural along the sides of the breakwater to honour the history of the Coast Salish Nations. In 2011, Victoria celebrated the glorious artwork of First Nations artists at the completion of the first two phases of this monumental achievement that creates a bridge between two cultures.
However, as Ogden Point spreads its wings, storm clouds loom in the afterglow. Underneath the glossy financial boom of the cruise ship industry is a growing opposition from nearby residents who claim that air and noise pollution from the ships is trashing their quality of life. In 2009, two very controversial ships dropped their anchors at our harbour. The Ocean Lady was suspected of housing terrorists. Recently, the Esmeralda was not welcomed by those who remember the bloody horrors in her galleys below.
But despite its shape-shifting ways, Ogden Point will always be the stuff of romance novels to me; sunsets and sandals, laughter and dreams, cool sultry evenings looking out on a vast ocean. Those are the jewels of my childhood.