News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. reported that its Board of Directors approved the award of 352,000 stock options to select directors and employees under its incentive stock option plan. The Options allow the purchase of 352,000 Company common shares at $0.475 per share, the closing price on the TSX Venture Exchange on July 18, 2024 within 5-year period and vest one-third per year starting on issuance.
A recent workshop held in June at Port Hardy by the Regional District of Mount Waddington is looking into the seaweed industry.
Telegraph Cove Resort will host its annual Craft Fair and Fishing Derby from August 3–4.
The Hyde Creek-based Hyde Creek Flower Farm has a new Flower Stand located at 545 Sunset Place in Port McNeill.
The inaugural “Art Yard Sale” by the North Vancouver Islands Art Society (NVIAS) will take place on July 27 in conjunction with the Port McNeill Farmers and Artisans Market.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Campbell River-based We Wai Kai Nation is collaborating with the province to rename the Tsa-kwa-luten resort the Tsakwa’lutan Healing Centre. The creation of two wings at the lodge with client rooms, roof repairs and electrical system upgrades will cost roughly $7.9 million, all funded by the province.
The Rental Protection Fund is pleased to announce that Connective Support Society has acquired nine homes spread out over Vancouver Island. Connective now has 334 rental houses in Duncan, Campbell River, and Port Hardy.
The Synergy Foundation Circular Economy Accelerator, which helps organizations embrace circular economy ideas, decrease waste and emissions, and innovate, is now accepting applications.
The Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours announced the expansion of its fleet with the addition of two state-of-the-art accessible diesel/electric vessels.
The City of Campbell River announced the first four local vendors to make the colourful units at 1235 Shoppers Row their new retail space.
Applications were reviewed by a selection committee with representatives from the Downtown Business Improvement Association, the Campbell River Farmer’s Market, Mayor Kermit Dahl, and City staff. The chosen vendors reflect the vibrant spirit and creativity of the local community and include: The Mossy Coast, Maggie’s Treats, The Tin Can Pottery Shop and Sinfully Delicious.
COMOX VALLEY
Tanner Chichak
Tanner Chichak is starting a new position as Registered Massage Therapist at Dynamic Spine, Sport & Wellness in Courtenay.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 1st Annual Summer BBQ & Agritour at Smith Lake Farm on Thurs. Aug. 29.
Emterra Environmental, a pioneer in Canada’s recycling and waste-to-resource industries, is pleased to announce the arrival of its first fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), designed to collect recyclables, garbage, and organic materials.
The Fanny Bay Senior Society Hall, located at 418 Ships Point Road, has been acquired by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in order to maintain its use as a community resource and to provide future service opportunities.
Coast Hotels is excited to share the news of our latest addition to the franchise, the Coast Courtenay Hotel in Courtenay. This property is conveniently located just two blocks away from the Strait of Georgia.
There is still time to take advantage of the Securing Small Business Rebate with the support of the BC Chamber of Commerce.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin
Sanoa Dempfle-Olin has carved her way through hundreds of hours of cold water exposure surfing on the West Coast to get to the Olympics and now Tofino gets to come together to cheer her on from afar. Come watch CBC’s coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games’ Surf competition from July 27 – 30 on the big screen at the Village Green in Načiks (Tofino). For official information and updates regarding schedule and results, please visit: https://rb.gy/ttu2ve
The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance welcomes its newest member, Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Middle Beach Lodge in Tofino is looking for a Guest Services Supervisor to join their team full-time.
PORT ALBERNI
Brie and Barrel restaurant owned by Sharie Minions, has been sold to Daniel and Bouchra Savard, owners of Swept Away Inn.
New spaces at Port Alberni Industrial Block on Dundalk Avenue are now available for lease.
Gather and Graze, an outdoor culinary event hosted by Shannon Farms, is scheduled for Friday July 26th. The event showcases and supports local agriculture, seafood and small business.
Rugby athlete Shalaya Valenzuela of Tseshaht First Nation, Canada’s travelling 14th for the Pre-Olympic Training Camp in Auxerre, France, will now continue her role through the Olympic Games, and will accompany the squad at the Olympic Village as an alternate.
The Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA is hosting a Dog Daze of Summer fundraising and adoption event July 27th.
Tseshaht Enterprises Corporation is seeking a Chief Executive Officer.
The Pachena Bay Music Festival at Pachena Bay Campground has concluded and saw 1,000+ attendees. The event is produced by Brian Howells at a venue owned by Huu-ay-aht First Nation.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation Group of Businesses is seeking candidates to join its board of directors.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations has released an RFQ for “Kiixin (National Historic Site) Research and Development Project.”
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley has issued a call for artists for the “Transitions” exhibit at Grove Gallery.
Hupacasath First Nations and the Ticmup Society (Tim Paul’s educational culture society) have announced the beginning of a cultural exchange with the Māori of New Zealand. The news preceded a Maori Visit and Youth Symposium where 11 Maori youth and elders were hosted in the Alberni Valley.
The Alberni Valley Food Security Society has started its annual Gleaning Program where volunteers excess glean fruit from local properties. A portion of the harvest is distributed back to the community.
Coulson Aviation has secured a $400M deal with Australia’s New South Wales Rural Fire Service to provide firefighting aircraft for the next 10 years and have also secured an exclusive contract with the BC Wildfire Service for the remainder of the wildfire season in British Columbia.
Harbour Pharmacy on 9th Avenue opens to the public July 26th.
The City of Port Alberni’s Infrastructure Services department has installed new pedestrian crossing signals at several key locations.
Applications are open for North Island College’s Adventure Guiding Program.
San Group Inc. recently completed installation of a new log deck at their Port Alberni mill. This is the second of 2 major capital projects completed on log processes at the Port Alberni location over the past 3 months.
Construction continues on the City of Port Alberni’s Quay to Quay Pathway, with new work on the Gertrude Street underpass completed by Bowerman Construction. The trail is scheduled for asphalt later this month with anticipated completion date of September 15th.
The Port Alberni Visitor Centre is selling train tickets for the Alberni Pacific Railway train ride along Port Alberni’s waterfront. The Railway is operated by the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program is hosting an Open House July 30th.
Chims Motel is now offering a new meeting space for rent.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
On July 15, the city council granted Primex Investments a development permit to construct three, six-story multi-family residential buildings at 1180 Resort Dr. along the Island Hwy, in Parksville. The buildings will contain a total of 233 rental units.
The non-profit Ballenas Housing Society has acquired the 50-unit Moilliet Manor, located at 211 Moilliet St., which offers affordable housing for seniors, with funds from the province’s Rental Protection Fund.
BC Food & Beverage welcomes its newest member, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks.
On July 3, the group 100 Men of Oceanside awarded the Canadian Federation of University Women Parksville Qualicum (CFUWPQ) Scholarship and Bursary Trust the entire $13,600 donation, which was chosen as the recipient of their quarterly award.
Better U Market in Qualicum Beach celebrated their 1st anniversary.
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region are currently looking for 2 new representatives to sit at their round table meetings which meet quarterly; a Community Representative, and a youth Community Representative. You can read some of the requirements for the Community Representative HERE. The Youth representative must be from 15 – 30 years old and would require an interest in preserving and protections this area.
NANAIMO
Adrian Somers has been appointed Vice-President, Operations and Business by Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of Shwing Batter Investment Group, the team that owns the Nanaimo NightOwls and Victoria HarbourCats. This appointment will help to further the brands’ expansion on the island and their ongoing efforts. Additionally, Tina Cornett is elevated to the position of General Manager for the Nanaimo NightOwls’ third season. Christian Stewart, an experienced WCL veteran, continues to serve as the General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats. Chris Beveridge is now taking on the position of General Manager of the Edwards Family Training Centre. Meanwhile, John Pollard, an experienced media executive, will continue serving as the Marketing Director for the HarbourCats and NightOwls. Similarly, Kent Malpass will continue his role as the Concessions Director for the NightOwls, working closely with Tina Cornett.
Ingrid Jarrett, the CEO of the British Columbia Hotel Association, has declared her intention to leave her position at the conclusion of the year.
Dwain Finner has recently taken on the role of Vancouver Island Service Manager at Smith and Long.
The Hotel Association of Canada has unveiled its new website, which features an improved members-only section.
Patients without a primary care physician after leaving the emergency room can now access follow-up services in a makeshift clinic at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
A former dementia care facility, the Travellers Lodge, will be transformed into 78 supportive flats for Nanaimo residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
The provincial Road to Recovery program is being expanded by the government of British Columbia. An extra 100 treatment beds will be added as a result of this expansion in each health authority across the province.
The Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department (DVFD)’s new Spartan Metrostar fire engine, a single-drive axle frontline fire truck, was purchased by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to replace the 2001 Freightliner FL80 fire engine, which is nearing expiration.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Doug Sayer
Doug Sayer has joined West Coast Pre Fab Ltd. as the new Project Manager.
The 4th and final presentation in the Town of Ladysmith‘s Community Together to End Poverty Employer Seminar Series is happening on July 24th!
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The Cowichan Valley wine region is gaining popularity with its award-winning wines and official sub-GI status, which helps people identify the local origins of the wine.
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society will be able to improve its outdoor classroom with the aid of a $7,500 donation from the Duncan Rotary Club. An observation platform called the Malcolms’ Place Wildlife will be added to the raised boardwalk at the Open-Air Classroom by SMWS this summer. The total cost of the addition is $42,350.
Duncan-based Parhar Group has announced a partnership with the non-profit Clements Centre for Families. Together, they plan to construct a four-storey, 21-unit apartment building at 2731 Vian St. in North Cowichan. The focus of this project is to provide housing for adults with disabilities.
Held on June 24th, the Amazing Race Cowichan 2024 was sponsored by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and presented by the Malahat SkyWalk. Seventeen teams competed, with the Duncan Garage Quad-Shots emerging victorious after a fierce battle.
Cowichan Chiropractic will permanently close on July 30th, having served the community for 20 years.
The Duncan store of Monk Office Supply Ltd., located at 138 Craig St., has announced that it would close on July 31.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is hosting a member party at Redefined Clothing Boutique, 162 Station St., on July 25.