August 18, 2021

Delivery Station Confirmed for Victoria International Airport (YYJ) Amazon Announced as New Tenant

Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) has confirmed the approval of York Realty’s proposal to build a state of the art, 115,000 sq. ft. delivery station on 7.8 acres of industrial zoned land at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ), and York Realty has announced that Amazon will be the new tenant.

Activity will begin on the site in September to prepare for the start of construction, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2022. Once built, the new Amazon building will function as a “last-mile” delivery station.

Amazon’s delivery stations power the last mile of its order process and help speed up deliveries for customers. 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.

“We are pleased to welcome Amazon to Victoria International Airport and the peninsula,” said Victoria Airport Authority President and CEO, Geoff Dickson. “We would like to thank York Realty and Amazon for the vision they have shown in choosing this location with a goal to meet the growing demands of the region.”

As part of the VAA’s development permit approval process, the project was presented to the Town of Sidney for review and comment in April. Consultation opportunities were also extended to the general public and to the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. As part of the public engagement process, a project website page and dedicated email address was established, and in June an informational mail out was distributed to all residents of the Galaran Road residential neighbourhood. Concerns raised about the building height and size were responded to by York Realty with design alterations resulting in significant reductions to both the building height and mass.

VAA, York Realty and Amazon are committed to ongoing dialogue with the Town of Sidney, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and local residents throughout the project and will continue this commitment during buildout of the facility including when the delivery station launches.

“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 be working with Tseycum First Nation, Tsartlip First Nation, and Tsawout First Nation on incorporating design elements and art installations into the building exterior and landscaping design plans which will reflect the rich culture and heritage of the W̱SÁNEĆ People. “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.”

While seeking feedback on the development, one of the biggest concerns raised was around the ongoing traffic issues in the area. VAA has committed to working with York Realty, the Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and other stakeholders to plan for the design and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Galaran Road and Beacon Avenue. Additional improvements also being reviewed include modifications to the Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue intersection and potential realignment of Stirling Way.

More information on the project can be found at https://yyj.ca/york-development.

For more information about current Amazon job openings in British Columbia, visit www.amazon.com/bcjobs or sign up to be the first to hear about jobs near you by visiting www.amazon.com/tc.

About Victoria Airport Authority

Victoria Airport Authority is a not-for-profit authority that has managed the safe and secure operations of the Victoria International Airport on behalf of the surrounding communities since April 1, 1997.