News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Bélen Becker has recently launched a new shop called Dear Sun Ice Cream. Located at Port McNeill Landing beside Shop-rite at Home, the shop offers a variety of New Zealand-style ice cream and frozen yogurt. Customers can also enjoy gluten-free waffle cones as an option.
The Airport Inn Port Hardy, located at 4030 Byng Rd., is now home to Tandoori Junction 2.
The Grey Cup Truck is scheduled to stop by Port Hardy on July 14th at the Port Hardy Recreation Centre, located at 7400 Columbia Street.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Steven Thomas
Steven Thomas R.Ac has joined Form Wellness Clinics, which opens at its new location at 104-2266 South Island Highway.
The School District 72 school board has approved the addition of a new wellness class to Carihi Secondary School‘s curriculum for students in Grades 10, 11, and 12.
Naturally Pacific Resort has recently opened in Campbell River.
An excellent planner and organizer is needed to fill a position with Campbell River-based Boleyn Media Group as a Project Coordinator. This person will assist the project managers in overseeing digital marketing initiatives.
DESA Glass has been awarded the glazing works for the new We Wai Kai Nation‘s Administrative Building in Campbell River.
The annual Wings ‘N’ Wheels automotive and aviation show, a fundraiser for Teenflight Campbell River, is being held at the Campbell River Airport on July 14 by Sealand Aviation Ltd.
COMOX VALLEY
The Rotary Club of Comox Valley and Habitat for Humanity are thrilled to announce BatFest, a charity softball tournament taking place from July 19 to July 21, 2024 at the Lewis Park Ball Fields in Courtenay. This fun-filled event aims to bring the community together for a weekend of friendly competition, exciting prizes, and fundraising for two great causes — the Habitat for Humanity – North Island and the Rotary Club of Comox Valley’s local improvement projects and other initiatives.
Providence Living at The Views, a long-term care facility, is now accessible for seniors in the Comox Valley. Residents will start moving in on Monday, July 8, 2024.
The Comox Valley RCMP detachment is a combined Provincial/Municipal detachment which provides police protection services for the entire Comox Valley. Of the 64 members currently staffed in the detachment, 21 are funded by the Province, 31.4 are funded by Courtenay, and 11.6 are funded by Comox. The RCMP’s fiscal year runs April 1, through March 31. The Courtenay City Council provided “approval in principle” for an expenditure cap of $9,015,110 for the 2025/2026 Municipal Policing Contract.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The staff housing cottage located on Howard Drive at the Wickaninnish Inn is now complete with a new solar installation. This project, spearheaded by Derek Eves and installed by Collins Electric, highlights the Inn’s dedication to sustainability by lowering its carbon footprint and incorporating sustainable practices into daily operations both on-site and in the neighbourhood.
The annual Safety Pinnacle Awards Gala in Chilliwack on June 6 honoured Vancouver Island Brewing in Victoria, McCrea’s Welding in Campbell River, and Creative Salmon in Tofino for their safety records.
The Pacific Rim Arts Society will organize the Pacific Rim Summer Festival in Tofino and Ucluelet from June 30 to July 14.
PORT ALBERNI
Beaver Creek Community Club hosted the grand opening of their Beaver Creek Pavilion. The Community Placemaking Program of Island Coastal Economic Trust, which included a 2022–2023 cooperation with 4VI, provided funding for this project.
The Western Industrial Heritage Society is now offering Waterfront Train Rides daily on Fri-Sat throughout the summer. Tickets available at the Harbour Quay train station or online at Alberni Pacific Railway.
New business West Hump Gear Exchange, located in the Bomber Boulders indoor climbing gym, has expanded their selection of gently used outdoor recreation gear and clothing.
Del Rio Jiujitsu Academy has moved to a new location on 3rd Avenue in Port Alberni’s Uptown neighbourhood.
Quality Care Drug Store has moved to Argyle Street as it awaits construction of a new clinic across the street, set to be completed in approximately 2 years.
The Accessibility Plans of both the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and the City of Port Alberni have recently been adopted.
The frame for the Bamfield’s new Community Hall Building has been completed by 80 volunteers of the Timber Framers Guild.
Huu-ay-aht Days are taking place August 16-18 in Anacla.
Summer houseboat rentals have started on Sproat Lake through the Fish & Duck Sproat Lake Resort.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation has announced a job posting for a Senior Advisor.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has announced a job posting for a Planner.
A woodworking show and tribute to Gerry Hebert is being hosted at The Grove Gallery, operated by the Community Arts Council.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The coastal roundabout at the intersection of Highway 19A and Memorial Avenue will feature a work of art by Jesse Recalma, according to the town of Qualicum Beach’s plans.
Construction on the Rupert Road Watermain Extension Project is scheduled to commence on July 2. The project will be carried out along Rupert Road East, between Qualicum Road and the Qualicum Beach Airport.
The zoning bylaw of the Town of Qualicum Beach has been changed to correspond with Bill 44 housing rules set by the province government.
NANAIMO
Zack Simon is now working with small businesses and organizations in the Nanaimo area out of his new practice, Patchwork Ecosystem Consulting.
FortisBC Inc.‘s charging stations are offering public electric vehicle rapid charging service at an energy-based tariff of $0.39 per kWh, authorized by the British Columbia Utilities Commission. By October 1, 2024, the permissioned energy-based rate will take the place of the current time-based pricing.
Victoria Digital Marketing proudly offers free website audits to best recommend how to stand out in the digital landscape.
Sanuvox Technologies Inc. welcomes Sparrow Mechanical Services Ltd. of Nanaimo, as its newest Elite Member.
Spirit Bear Coffee will now be served at St. Paul’s Hospital, BC Women’s Hospital, BC Children’s Hospital, and Nanaimo General Hospital.
Vancouver Island’s Shelter Point Distillery has won Single Malt Whisky Of The Year at the Bartender Spirits Awards the premier spirits competition judged by bartenders in the world. The distillery’s Ripple Rock single malt was also awarded a Gold medal – a coveted accolade that honours the finest products in the industry.
The City of Nanaimo and the Province collaborated through BC Housing to decide on city-owned property at 1030 Old Victoria Road as the location for the new Nanaimo navigation centre. If the city council approves the proposed arrangement, the city would lease the site to BC Housing in order to offer improved services for those who are experiencing long-term homelessness and need more care than is usually provided at a shelter.
The second round of grantees for the BC Maritime Industries Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion Grant Program, which is supported by the Province of British Columbia, has been announced by the Association of British Columbia Marine Industries (ABCMI). The recipients include: Arrow Transportation Systems Inc., Bracewell Marine Group Ltd., Bridgeview Marine Group Ltd., GCRD Holdings Ltd., Interior Marine Construction Ltd & Leopold Developments Ltd., Ocean Pacific Marine Store & Boatyard, Ocean Performance Technologies Inc., Reed Point Marina Ltd. & CT Inlet Marine, Repairs Inc., Ripple Rock Repairs Ltd. (Jussi Narhi), Shearwater Resort LLP, Shelter Island Marina Inc., Van Isle Marina Co. Ltd., Vector Yacht Services Ltd., Seaspan ULC Victoria Shipyards Co. Ltd., and West Coast Launch Ltd.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Tchadas Leo, who is from the Homalco First Nation in Campbell River, was recently honoured with the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters Performer Of Tomorrow Award.
Before the June 25 deadline, a significant number of electors, totalling 2,135 (28.8 per cent), expressed their opposition to the $13.5 million loan authorization bylaw. This bylaw pertains to the construction of a new City Hall and institutional space on Buller Street and 1st Avenue. To obtain approval, the Town needed to receive less than 741 responses, as mandated by provincial legislation.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes their new members: Garage Door Doctor Canada Ltd. and Mitchel Doherty, Realtor, Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty Ladysmith Branch
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Keith Granbois, board member of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and CFO & VP Business Development at Nanaimo Airport, has been named the recipient of the ACI North America Financial Professional of the Year Award in the Small Airport category.
The Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is expected to open in Duncan’s downtown at 940 Government St. in 2025.
True Grain Bakery, known for its organic pastries and bread, is celebrating 20 years.
Pacific Homes & Pacific Truss in Cobble Hill is celebrating 12 longtime employees with service awards. The company honoured Darell Turcotte, Jim Symmons, and Lloyd Rigler for 35 years of service, Chad Ruttan for 30 years, Paul Latter for 20 years, Steve Fenwick for 15 years, Darren Isaacson, Leif Peterson, Jan Schulze, and Murray Clarke for 10 years, and Kristen Kowalski and Hagen Los for five.
Top Down Investments, based in Duncan, informed council in an email at its June 17 meeting that it will withdraw its application to build two six-story residential buildings with more than 200 rental units and apply for a mixed-use building for its properties on the west side of Price Place.
Peninsula Co-op has donated $100,000 to help with the rebuilding of Camp Shawnigan, which is supported by Easter Seals BC & Yukon.
On June 16, Small Block Brewery, which has been operating on Chaster Road, just south of Duncan, since 2018, permanently closed.
Before the October provincial election, the organization representing 70 business districts and over 55,000 businesses, including the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area, is surveying its members to identify key issues they will challenge political parties and candidates on.
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