Organizers of the 27th annual Young Life Home and Renovation Tour expect visitors to stick around each site longer, with the tour contained to one day. Spokesperson Bill Okell said the April 29 event features complete home renovations, giving attendees opportunity to ask questions and gain ideas for their own home projects.
“The contractors are expected to bring more of the trades experts, because the overall jobs are larger and more all-encompassing,” he said. “We’ve got people like Design One and Jason Good Kitchens and Maximillian Huxley on hand, and they want to show a complete visual and bring a complete team.”
So, while it may be the full, multi-faceted project that places a home on the tour, individuals and couples may be mainly interested in the kitchen or bathroom makeover completed for the house.
This year’s tour includes eight homes, spread through James Bay, Fernwood, Oak Bay and Saanich. “The focus is on older homes where the owners have gone and undertaken major renovations,” Okell said. “These are distinguished character homes where people have done a complete job and said ‘we’re not going to do just the kitchen.’”
The tour is the primary fundraiser of the year for Young Life Victoria, a chapter of the international Christian-based organization that offers recreational, leadership and summer camp opportunities for youth in Greater Victoria.
The tone of the tour has morphed over the years. Initially, it was mainly the homeowners who stuck around to chat with visitors about the renovation projects. Now, the professionals on the construction side are the stars of the show, so to speak, and homeowners are happy to give them a chance to promote their work and their businesses.
“People are saying, ‘you were in my home for months, we’re going to give you the home for the day; fill your boots and promote your business and show your expertise,’” Okell said.
Passport-style tickets are on sale now for this self-guided tour and cost $25. They are available at various outlets and can be booked through the Young Life office at 250-634-3223. For more information and a list of ticket sales locations, visit younglife.ca/victoria-home-tour/.
