After months of speculation, it’s been announced that Amazon will operate a delivery station on the Saanich Peninsula.
The Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) confirms York Realty will build a 115,000 square feet delivery station on 7.8 acres of industrial zoned land at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), with Amazon as its tenant.
Preconstruction begins in September, with completion estimated for Fall 2022. Once built, says a media release, the new Amazon building will function as a “last-mile” delivery station.
Amazon’s delivery stations power the last mile of its order process. Packages are transported to delivery stations via trailer trucks from Amazon fulfillment and sortation centers. Packages are then sorted, packed and loaded into delivery vehicles and shipped to homes in local communities.
As part of the VAA’s development permit approval process, the project was presented to the Town of Sidney in addition to a public consultation.
VAA, York Realty and Amazon say they are committed to ongoing dialogue with the Town of Sidney, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and local residents throughout construction and completion.
“It is our hope that, with Amazon as a sub-tenant, the new delivery station will serve as a significant economic generator for the region,” said Matt Woolsey, President, York Realty. “More importantly, we plan on creating a building that is a first-of-its-kind in Canada, while providing landscaping improvements and amenities for the neighbourhood. Our goal, together with Amazon, is to continue listening to neighbours, the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and the Town of Sidney as we buildout this project and Amazon begins operations.”
“We are excited to continue our growth in Canada with the addition of the delivery station in Sidney, B.C.,” said Tushar Kumar, Regional Director, Last-mile Logistics Operations for Amazon Canada. “The new delivery station will allow us to provide fast and efficient delivery for customers and provide great job opportunities for the talented local workforce.”
In collaboration with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, York Realty will collaborate with Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, and Tsawout First Nation to incorporate design elements and art installations into the building exterior and landscaping design plans.
“The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council has been in discussions with the VAA and York Realty regarding the delivery station,” said Gord Elliott, Director of Operations at the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. “We are satisfied with the commitment York Realty and Amazon have made to ensure low environmental impacts, to create a relationship with the Tseycum, Tsartlip and Tsawout First Nations, and to recognize W̱SÁNEĆ lands and culture.”
More information on the project can be found at https://www.victoriaairport.com/york-development.
