Former Nanaimo Clippers Owner Buys U.S. Junior Hockey Team
MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – The Vancouver Island Ferry Company has announced their lead Captain, Steve Carroll, for the fast foot passenger service from downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver that will start this summer. Steve is a Master Mariner with over 20 years’ experience.
Captain Wendy Williams has been announced as the new Director of Operations, and Lisa O’Connell is the Director of Guest Experience and Culture.
Former Nanaimo Clippers owner Wes Mussio is back owning a junior hockey franchise – in the National College Development Conference for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. He has partnered with former Clipper coach Darren Naylor to buy the former Rock Springs Prospectors, which will move up from the U.S. Premier Hockey League Premier division to become the Rock Springs Grizzlies in Wyoming. Naylor will be the Head Coach and General Manager.
Wendy Williams
The NCDC is a 14-team tuition-free junior hockey league that is part of the United States Premier Hockey League Network, which focuses on preparing players for possible National Collegiate Athletic Association scholarships.
Speaking of the Clippers, Dave Liffiton has joined the coaching staff of the BC Hockey League club.
The Nanaimo Buccaneers of the Junior B Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has hired Lee Stone as their new Head Coach and GM.
Stone recently served as Head Coach and GM of the Campbell River Storm for the last 10 seasons, winning three VIJHL Championships and the league’s only Keystone Cup Western Canadian Championship.
Lisa O’Connell
“This is massive for our club,” says Bucs co-owner Tali Campbell, “Lee is the winningest coach in recent VIJHL history.”
Steve Seriani has joined the real estate team of Layzell Dreger and Associates.
Congratulations to Trish Turnbull upon receiving The Spirit Award from RE/MAX of Nanaimo. And to Larry McNabb for his McNabb Real Estate Team being named to the Platinum Club.
IWCD has started construction on the new Wheaton Hyundai dealership on Wellington Road. When completed, it will feature 20,574 square feet over two floors.
Jake Rudolph has announced his retirement after five years serving as the Chief Administrative Officer at the City of Nanaimo. Jake came to Nanaimo in 2018 from Abbotsford where he served in a similar capacity. His last day will be come in mid-July this summer.
There is a new owner of The Queen’s in downtown Nanaimo.
Air Precise Mechanical Repairs Ltd. has opened its second location, at 227 South Terminal Avenue downtown.
Darcie Davidson is the new Chief Administrative Officer at ETHOS Career Management. Their office is at 202-155 Skinner Street.
Nanaimo Airport CEO Dave Devana was pleased to note that an Air Canada Boeing 737 Max 8 landed at the airport on April 17, which was the first time that type of plane has landed at the Cassidy airstrip. It carried 160 passengers from Vancouver. It also signifies what could be a next step for the fast growing Nanaimo Airport.
Congratulations to Nanaimo’s Vaughn Palmer, upon marking 50 years writing for the Vancouver Sun. Vaughn is the son of former BC Ferries captain Sid Palmer, and started work at the Sun as a rock critic before becoming the premier provincial political columnist for the publication.
Downtown Ladysmith became Patience, Colorado recently for the filming of the Resident Alien science fiction television series, with Barnacle Barney’s restaurant becoming the ‘59ers Bar.
Congratulations to Island West Coast Excavation and Knappett Industries for facing off in the first annual Mid Island Dirt Cup charity hockey game at Oceanside Place in Parksville. Knappett won the game 8-6, but the big winners were local charities, as KidSport Nanaimo will receive $30,000 and the Nanaimo Child Development Centre $20,000 in proceeds from the event. Around 500 people showed up to watch the game and support the charities.
Sadly, former Nanaimo Bar and Cookie Company and The Olde Nanaimo Brewery Company Ltd. owner/operator Carolyn Scott has passed away, as has Robert Jeffs, who helped found Jeffs Construction with his brother Rick.
A tip of the hat to Rodrigo Menezes, captain of Kula for Vancouver Island Whale Watch, who was honoured by the Lifesaving Society’s Annual Honour & Rescue Award Ceremony in Burnaby for helping rescue aa father and son after their canoe tipped over off the coast of Mudge Island last spring.
Coast Salish Development Corporation has announced the beginning of a new residential community that could eventually feature 600 new residences in what will be called Owls Hollow on Stz’uminus First Nation land north of Ladysmith.
Project partners Elmworth Construction and Greca Developments Ltd. are already building in the subdivision. Greca is owned by former Nanaimo Clipper and National Hockey League star Greg Adams, who also owns several Tim Horton’s franchises in the Cowichan Valley.
Take a bow, District of Lantzville council: They have carved down their 2023 budget, resulting in a very rare zero per cent property tax increase.
Four Nanaimo breweries have joined together to create a first ever Nanaimo beer for the fifth annual Nanaimo Craft Beer Week. Participating operations at White Sails Brewing, Wolf Brewing, Longwood Brew Pub and Longwood Brewery.
The city of Nanaimo has received a building permit application for a pair of 20-storey high-rises between Calinda Street and Applecross Road at 6340 McRobb Avenue that will result in 266 residential units.
Primex Investments Ltd. has received a development permit for 157 units in two strata buildings and one apartment building at 77 Chapel Street.
Tofino Bus has announced it is restoring its Vancouver Island Connector weekend service to Tofino from Thursdays to Sundays between May and October.
Difficulties in securing employees has forced Berwick Retirement Communities to phase out long-term care at its Berwick on the Lake licensed care unit. It will be closed over a 12 month period, and it has provided long-term care for 27 residents.
George Hanson has been retained as Strategic Advisor for the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, which is the city’s new economic development corporation.
Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. and Author of the book “It Worked For Them, It Will Work For Me: The 8 Secrets of Small Business I Learned From Successful Friends”, which can be obtained by reaching him through: mark@communicationink.ca