PARKSVILLE – What a summer it has been. The streets have been hopping and business overall is good. If visits to the excellent sand sculptures carved during the Canadian Open Sandsculpting Competition and Exhibition are a good indicator then the 104,000 visits to that exhibition are evidence of a banner year in Parksville for tourism. The Visitor Centre has also seen an increase in visits for the first time in several years.
On the business front a recent walk around town with then Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto and Parksville-Qualicum MLA and Minister of Social Innovation and Social Development Michelle Stillwell was well received by all of the businesses visited and all reported that business was good.
Wembley Mall’s facelift continues with the completion of the new Save-On-Foods and BC Liquor Store and construction of Canadian Tire. The new Ballard Homes/Macdonald Realty building at 19A and Finholm looks beautiful and is a stunning example of what can be accomplished to resurrect an old tired building as what used to be the X-Ray clinic was converted to a very new looking office complex. The Post and Lantern demolition has begun and we look forward to what Radcliffe Development will be creating there.
In the downtown Parks West Business Products is under new ownership. This past spring Kevin Kinnear purchased the business and they have recently completed a renovation of the store. The McLean Homes property at the corner of Jensen and Corfield has been sold to Mississauga based Revera who will implement a construction plan that will provide residents in the Parksville area with high-quality senior living choices.
In the Industrial Park new business Wags is catering to all of the needs of dog owners with their facility that provides grooming, playcare and training for our four-legged friends.
On the political front, the City has set the date and wording for the referendum required to borrow $5.6 million to complete the financing package needed to construct the required water treatment facility and move the water intake. The vote will take place on November 21.
At the Chamber, September is a time of renewal as Board meetings resume after a summer hiatus. We are pleased to report that the support the Chamber provided to the Food Trucks in the Community Park has been a super success as was the Chamber sponsored events Celebrate Canada Day and Summer by the Sea Street Market. Current operations are focused on preparation for our gala fundraiser – Fantasy Auction to be held on October 24. We would like to invite everyone to come out for an “Evening of Elegance” with dinner dancing and a little shopping thrown in for good measure. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased from the Chamber. For more information call Linda at 250 248 3613.
– Kim Burden is Executive Director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 250.248.3613.
