The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority touted nothing but good news at its annual general meeting last Thursday.
The non-profit society's $8.3 million in revenues were boosted by a record cruise ship season with 224 ship calls bringing 503,675 passengers to Ogden Point last summer.
“This last year was very eventful for us with the restoration of the historic Steamship Terminal in partnership with the Provincial Capital Commission,” said president and CEO Curtis Grad.
After expenses, the GVHA still raked in $839,000, representing an 11 per cent increase over 2011 financials. The increase was attributed in part to market-rate moorage fee adjustments at Inner Harbour marinas.
The GVHA ran into controversy earlier this year when its directors rejected City of Victoria appointee Coun. Shellie Gudgeon to the board, citing a lack of marina and tourism expertise.
GVHA chair Bill Wellburn later backtracked on the decision; the society is now reviewing a 2011 policy change that allows directors to reject and approve publicly elected officials from the board.
The GVHA board is comprised of one director each from the City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, the Provincial Capital Commission, the Victoria/Esquimalt Harbour Society, Tourism Victoria, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Capital Regional District. Another four directors are appointed from the community at large.