News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Bryan McKay
Bryan McKay has been named the new General Manager at Applewood Auto Group in Port Hardy.
North Island Glass Floats, owned by Brenda Trombley and Jim Witton, has opened in Port Hardy.
A memorandum of agreement has been reached between the District of Port Hardy and the North Island Seniors Housing Foundation (NISHF) about the allocation of land for the construction of a seniors’ housing complex.
$50,000 was donated by BHP (Island Copper Mine) to the Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary, to be utilized for roof repairs.
The Town of Port McNeill has used $7,500 in funding from BC Hydro‘s Community ReGreening initiative to construct a number of raised vegetable beds off Campbell Way.
The Mount Waddington Health Network has formed a partnership with the District of Port Hardy and Island Health to organize a World Café Wellness Fair at the Port Hardy Civic Centre on June 25 and 26.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Chris Callanan
The North Island Employment Foundations Society (NIEFS) announced the election of Chris Callanan, their Regional Manager of Employer Services as the new Vice Chair, Board of Directors for the BC Chamber of Commerce as announced at this year’s Annual General Meeting held in Kelowna on May 29. He began his one-year term of service on May 29th, 2024 and is already looking forward to the many opportunities and challenges ahead.
The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) will fund 27 coastal projects, including Birds Canada’s Campbell River, Bridge-Seton, and Cheakamus watershed black swift conservation project, with $1.7 million.
Sealand Flight of Campbell River will execute a historic first in Canada: the inaugural commercial electric flight of Pipistrel Velis Electro, on June 14th.
COMOX VALLEY
Kristina Campbell
Kristina Campbell, the owner of the The Gallery, has been honoured with the Comox Valley Art Gallery’s 2024 Nonny Milne Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts.
Arden Child Care Centre has officially opened in Courtenay on June 10th.
After serving on multiple committees, including the governance and board development committee, Barry Minaker and Jane Atherton will be replaced on the North Island College board by John Jack of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Roger Kishi of Cumberland. Their two-year terms begin in July.
The Sieffert’s Farm Market, located at 720 Knight Road, Comox, is now open for 2024 season.
The Comox Valley Writers Society (CVWS) is celebrating its 60th founding anniversary this year.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Tofino’s long-standing need for rental housing will be met with the construction of a two-building affordable housing complex on Peterson Drive. In addition to its $7.9 million investment, BC Housing will contribute $430,000 a year in operating funding. The government’s Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. contributed $9.4 million, while the city-owned Tofino Housing Corp. offered $1.8 million in land and $780,000 in funds. Nonprofit organisation Catalyst Community Developments provided a $180,000 donation and will oversee the project.
The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust recently celebrated the $7.17 million funding from the federal government, which will greatly contribute to their $15 million plan to build the West Coast’s inaugural biosphere centre.
On Sunday, May 19, the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department commemorated one of the most devoted firemen in the town’s history by unveiling the George Hubert Memorial Fire Hall.
PORT ALBERNI
Adam Ballard
Adam Ballard has recently joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor. His office is conveniently located at 2533 Port Alberni Highway, inside the Alberni Valley Visitors’ Centre.
Capelli Hair Design, owned and operated by Rose DiRocco is celebrating 44 years in business.
This month, Alberni Fitness is commemorating the 30th anniversary of Tricia Grobell and Ken Barlow‘s partnership.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
At its 05 June 2024 quarterly meeting, the 100 Men of Oceanside awarded $10,000 to the Canadian Federation of University Women Parksville Qualicum (CFUWPQ) Scholarship and BursaryTrust. 100 Men of Oceanside is now actively recruiting new members and any man residing in the Oceanside area who is interested in joining the ‘work’ of the 100 Men of Oceanside is welcome and can get more information (and sign up to participate) by going to the website: 100oceansidemen.ca or by emailing info@100oceansidemen.ca or by attending the September meeting, which will be on September 4 at 7:00 PM at the Morningstar Golf Club, 525 Lowry’s Road, Parksville.
The Shady Rest in Qualicum Beach, now owned and operated by Wayne Duncan, will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
The City of Parksville‘s 2023 annual report, available on their website, provides a snapshot of goals and accomplishments, reports and financials. https://parksville.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/66491/
Chamber members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 27 at the Beach Club Resort. Networking starts at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:30 pm. Buffet dinner tickets are available for $50 + gst. Cash bar. Call 250-248-3613.
Summer by the Sea Street Market will be happening every Tuesday night from June 4 to August 20, from 6-9 pm.
Parksville Chamber welcomes new memeber Norm’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
NANAIMO
Ann-Marie Clark
Ann-Marie Clark, owner of Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln, has been named the New Car Dealers Association of BC‘s chairwoman.
Riley Danyluk is starting a new position as Financial Planner, and Cash Reumkens as Senior Relationship Manager at BMO.
Dr. Daniel Vigo has been appointed by the Province as the Chief Scientific Advisor for Psychiatry, Toxic Drugs, and Concurrent Disorders in British Columbia.
According to GoDaddy Venture Forward, British Columbia is home to the highest concentration of online microbusinesses in Canada, beating Ontario, which ranks in second place, and Alberta in third.
Nanaimo Mitsubishi has become the proud recipient of the Triple Diamond Cup award from Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc., making them the first dealership in Western Canada to achieve this remarkable feat.
Vancouver Island University has appointed Lindsay Frehlick to the role of Director, Research Services.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Stephanie Higginson, a former trustee of Nanaimo-Ladysmith School, has been designated as the B.C. NDP’s candidate in the newly created Ladysmith-Oceanside riding.
The initial concept drawing for the Buller Street restoration project, which includes 80–90 purpose-built rental units on top of a 19,000-square-foot city hall and unspecified institutional space, was made public by the Town of Ladysmith on June 4. For the city hall portion of the project, the municipality is asking voters to approve a $13.5 million long-term loan, or $7.17 per $100,000 of assessed residential property.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Dr. Robin Routledge was recently recognized for his outstanding contributions in the field of medicine. He received a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Rural Health Awards, held on May 24.
Medix EMS has formed a partnership with Stryker Emergency Care to become the top retailer of Heartsine and Lifepack AED products and accessories.
Mid Island Liquor, located in Berkey’s Corner, underwent renovations and held its grand reopening on June 7.
The Station Street Placemaking Project in Duncan has been recommended for a $40,000 funding by ICET.
The Aging Well Expo, which will be held at the Cowichan Community Centre on June 19, will be hosted by Volunteer Cowichan. The event will feature over 35 vendors.
The Old Farm Market location, which is located just south of Duncan, has appointed Tanya Gorrill as its new shop manager.
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