NORTH ISLAND
The District of Port Hardy is currently considering a development application for 7860 Sockeye Road. The purpose is to rezone the subject property from M-2 (Marine Industrial) to R-1 (Single-Detached Residential) to more accurately reflect the property’s current use.
The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $59,125 shop local grant for their plan to develop and implement a distinctive North Island regional campaign.
Dr. Prean Armogam has announced the opening of his new clinic in Port McNeill at 1584 Broughton Blvd.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. (Grieg), headquartered in Campbell River, has entered into an agreement with OptoScale to supply nine camera sensor units for use on its farms located on Vancouver Island’s east and west coasts. Grieg Seafood also announced the signing of a three-year deal with Njord Marine Service for the service of its delousing vessel. The contract is valued at $11 million yearly. Coastal Server, a 24-meter vessel, is fitted with a mechanical delousing device capable of removing sea lice from farmed salmon.
Dogwood Pet Mart, owned by Gregory Janicki, made a $500 donation to the BC SPCA.
WestUrban Developments is celebrating its 5th year as one of Western Canada’s leading development companies.
Michelle Albrecht has resigned from her position at Campbell River and District Association for Community Living.
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce has partnered with School District 72 to develop a program that will benefit both local companies and students in need of work experience.
COMOX VALLEY
Comox Valley Search and Rescue is requesting a financial gift or donation from the regional district to assist with the purchase of a permanent rescue base building at 2300 Moray Ave. in Courtenay.
Employment and Social Development Canada has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) under the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to fund new construction, renovation, and/or retrofit projects that increase accessibility to childcare facilities in Canadian communities for people with disabilities. The deadline is 5 pm on January 28, 2022.
I-HOS Gallery is celebrating its 25th year as a member of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Town of Comox has been awarded funding from the BC Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund (FFERF) for the 2022 BC Seafood Festival and Nautical Days. The FFERF gives a one-time grant of up to 20 per cent of an event’s total budget for a variety of operational expenses.
Commissionaires Vancouver Island has relocated their Comox Valley location to 101-1978 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay.
Providence Living is a new not-for-profit health care organization founded by Providence Health Care with the mission of redefining seniors’ care in British Columbia. Its first redevelopment project in Comox will include a 156-bed seniors’ village focused on dementia care.
Dave Procter – Re/Max Ocean Pacific Realty celebrates its 15th year as a member of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Hakai introduces solar course for builders. Read more here.
PORT ALBERNI
Mike Carter
Mike Carter has been appointed to Vice President of Operations at the Port Alberni Port Authority, starting January 1, 2022.
Brandon Ford is the new owner of the Little Bavaria Restaurant in Port Alberni, formerly owned by Kathy Krznaric and Ana Sumecki.
The Trades Sampler Course, a collaboration between Nuu-chah-nulth Education Training Program, North Island College and Industry Training Authority, functions as a launching pad, bringing together people who want to learn trades and participate in community projects. This program will end on Feb. 17, 2022.
Flourish Beauty Collective has opened its doors at 4969 Argyle St in Port Alberni.
Ironworks Cafe & Creperie launched its Port Alberni site on January 8th at 5262 Argyle St Unit G.
Abingdon Moore Realty, a new real estate company in Port Alberni, has opened at 4746 Johnston Rd.
The British Columbia Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), in partnership with the provincial government through Clean BC, awarded the Uchucklesaht Tribe Government $299,975 and the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k:tles7et’h’ First Nations $112,500 for a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of building a hydropower facility at Uchuck Creek.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
On December 22, Lil Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ provided over 1,300 complimentary take-out turkey dinners. Tofino Mayor Dan Law, Tuff City Radio‘s Cameron Dennison, and Iris Frank of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation assisted in coordinating the distribution of 170 turkey supper platters to 470 residents of Opisaht, Esowista, Ty-histanis, and Tin Wis.
The CBT has requested approval to construct a three-story institutional facility on an 881-square-metre parcel of land at 301 Olsen Road.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Qualicum Beach council has adopted a bylaw authorizing the use of a long-term loan to finance the proposed Downtown East Village Revitalization project’s cost of $1,345,000.
Berwick Qualicum Beach has been named the 2021 ICAA NuStep Beacon Award winner, which honours North America’s Top 25 ‘Best in Wellness’ senior living community.
With the recent acquisition of 25 temporary BC Housing rooms at the Vancouver Island Parksville (VIP) Motel, Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne is hoping for a “win-win” outcome from the provincial government. BC Housing and the Oceanside Homelessness Ecumenical Advocacy Response Team Society (OHEARTS) teamed in October to create shelter spaces in the region for vulnerable persons throughout the winter months, according to a press release.
A development permit was obtained from Parksville city council to assist with external renovations to Thrifty Foods, a supermarket located at 280 Island Highway East.
The Ravensong Aquatic Centre extension project in Qualicum Beach is expected to cost around to $20 million, with the building set to begin in 2023. The first phase will cost $10.57 million in three parts, while the second phase will cost $9.28 million.
NANAIMO
Jan Ference
Jan Ference has been appointed as Haven Society‘s new Executive Director. She will leave her current position as Director of Pathways to Healing Partnership in February 2022 to join Haven Society.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Regional District of Nanaimo and BC Transit are currently finalizing an agreement that will see the new Nanaimo-Cowichan Express [NCX] route begin operation on March 28 for a five-year period.
Naomi Bailey won a by-election to the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board of education.
Tenancy applications are being accepted by the Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society (NAHS) for 10 Buttertubs Drive, a six-story building with 159 units adjacent to Buttertub Marsh Park. The non-profit owns and operates the structure, financed in collaboration with BC Housing.
Nanaimo city council has approved Kenco Enterprises‘ development permit application for a three-story structure with sixteen micro-units at 421 Prideaux St. between Franklyn and Albert streets.
BC Cannabis Stores (BCCS) has announced the opening of its second location in Nanaimo, in Country Club Centre.
Over 35 small local Vancouver Island businesses will join the Nanaimo 2022 Wellness and Spirit Fair. The event will take place on May 7 at 2060 E. Wellington Rd. in Nanaimo.
The Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Province have reached an agreement that protects the First Nation’s interests in the cannabis economy, including the establishment of a cannabis retail store scheduled to open in January 2022.
Mountview Massage and Wellness Clinic is now open at 330-256 Wallace St.
Nanaimo city council approved the first and second readings of a rezoning application for a liquor store in the space currently occupied by Off the Vine Winemaking at the corner of Dover and Blueback roads.
Liquor Mart submitted the application on behalf of the property’s owner, 7-Eleven Canada Inc.
The provincial government has announced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, a grant program designed to assist businesses that have been forced to close due to public health orders issued in the aftermath of COVID-19.
The Nanaimo Regional District has shelved plans to develop its own water treatment plant in Nanoose Bay, citing increased costs. The RDN has extended leasing a water facility for five years at South Parksville Industrial Park, albeit at a much higher rate. The regional district is now studying the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of building its own water facility on RDN-owned land.
Following approval from the City of Nanaimo to sign into a long-term lease, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank can expand operations and build a warehouse on East Wellington Road.
The province has increased financing for Nanaimo’s famous Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease (SHINE) program, which assists mid-Island seniors in securing adequate housing.
Ken Duncan has been given a Commanding Officer’s Commendation by Nanaimo Search and Rescue for 25 years of service.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Carly Azyan and Jacynthe Kutney are the new owners of Island Water Hauling in Ladysmith.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce has received a $60,000 grant from the federal government’s Strategic Activities Program, administered by the BC Chamber of Commerce. The grant will be used to support programs across the province that promote shop local’ and aim to strengthen the local economy. The campaign will launch shopthetown.ca, a comprehensive online directory of all businesses and organizations located in the Chamber’s district, which includes Saltair, Chemainus, Thetis Island, and Crofton.
A petition calling for the establishment of a two-ferry service between Crofton and Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island has swiftly surpassed its 1,500-signature objective. The petition’s initial 1,000 signatories came predominantly from Salt Spring, with the remainder coming from Crofton and the Mid-Island area when word of the petition went across the channel last week.
The Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $65,000 grant from the federal government’s Strategic Activities Program. The grant will be used to support programs throughout the province that promote shop local,’ a program designed to strengthen the local economy.
Paper Excellence, the owner of the Crofton mill, has donated $50,000 to the Pacific Salmon Foundation to support wild Pacific salmon regeneration and recovery.
COWICHAN VALLEY – DUNCAN
BC Transit will begin rolling out NextRide, a program that utilizes Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology, across the province, beginning with the Cowichan Transit System.
Duncan City Council has approved an early budget for a much-needed ladder fire truck for 2022. CAO Peter de Verteuil said the most recent quotation from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. for a demonstration model truck is $1,995,000 plus tax, while a competing company’s quote is $2,150,000 plus tax.
It was recently announced that the Lake Cowichan Food Bank Society‘s long-term lease at Suite 105-205 South Shore Rd. will not be extended, according to treasurer Katherine Worsley. Lake Cowichan Food Bank is now in search of its new home.
Isle Drive Driving School, located at 1026 Islay St. in Duncan, is marking one year in business.
The Cowichan Tribes and the province have formalized a government-to-government agreement that allows for cannabis production and sales involvement.
The Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Society‘s pier reconstruction campaign has been given a significant boost by a $7,640 donation from 100 Women Who Care Cowichan. Sylvia Berryman, the society’s new executive director, said the society’s aging and closed 89-meter pier adjacent to the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre requires immediate rehabilitation at a cost of nearly $1 million.
Cowichan Tribes, which operates four Costa Canna cannabis retail locations with partners, and the province have extended their cannabis agreement, which allows them participation in cannabis cultivation and sales. The agreement reaffirms Cowichan Tribes’ authority to operate in the cannabis production and retail sectors and allows for some deviation from the province’s cannabis framework.
Mosaic Forest Management will donate $37,000 to community and food programs run by organizations across Vancouver Island, including the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, the Lake Cowichan 50+ Activity Centre, Cowichan Valley School District 79’s Nourish Cowichan Society, and the Lake Cowichan and Palsson School lunch programs.
Island Savings is donating $67,000 to organizations that support small businesses on Vancouver Island and throughout the Southern Gulf Islands. The Women’s Enterprise Centre, Community Futures BC, VIATE, and Innovation Island are among the recipients.
Goldstone Women’s Consignment is now open in Duncan, at the intersection of Kenneth and Canada Avenues.
Carriero Salon, owned by John and Dina, opened in Downtown Duncan on Craig Street.
Retired teacher Katie Wright has been making dogs on Vancouver Island happy with Island Skalliwags Artisan Dog Treats since 2017. For the first three years of Skalliwags, Wright was the baker, recipe creator, shipper, receiver, marketer and everything else. Read her success story here.