Background

The purpose of this project is to consult on potential District actions with respect to longer-term (post-2027) future uses of the Turkey Head (Spewhung Point) site.

The District of Oak Bay owns the Marina lands located at Turkey Head and has a lease with the Province for the foreshore/aquatic area occupied by Oak Bay Marina. The marina’s lease with Oak Bay includes the buildings, parking lot and water lot (a sublease from the Province). The lease with Oak Bay Marine Group expires in December 2027.

There is First Nations, business partner and community interest in future use of the Turkey Head (Spewhung Point) site. Consultation on potential next steps will help provide greater clarity on opportunities and help Council determine how best to proceed to achieve Council’s objectives for the site, which include:

  • First Nations partnership,
  • Sustainable Financial return,
  • Site activation and public use, and
  • Environmental stewardship

Oak Bay Council and Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nations leadership met late in 2025 and staff met again in early 2026. The key take-aways from District meetings with Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nations are that the three communities share many values and desired outcomes, that there are opportunities for cooperation and shared benefit, that there is interest in potentially operating the marina, and that there is interest in undertaking joint engagement with the Songhees Nation, Xwsepsum Nation, and District communities.

Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations have identified the following objectives with respect to the site:

  • Revenue generation;
  • Cultural presence;
  • Job creation; and
  • Environmental stewardship

Where We Are Today

On March 9, 2026 Council reviewed a proposed Plan for engaging with Oak Bay, Songhees Nation and Xwsepsum Nations communities. Council directed staff to pause Council Priority Project #47 (Seek Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations, potential business partners, and community input into the future of Turkey Head (Spewhung Point)) until an operator has been secured to run the marina following expiration of the current lease in 2027.