News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Airport Inn Port Hardy has been named the number 1 hotel in Port Hardy by Expedia.
The top Canadian foundation for music education, MusiCounts, has awarded grants to Eagle View Elementary School and Port Hardy Secondary School. With these funds, the high school band program may be renovated to accommodate more students, and the primary school program can launch a new initiative to introduce children to the transformative impact of music at a younger age.
The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with North Island College, is offering a Retail and Customer Service Confidence program. The program is ideal for those seeking their first job or reentering the workforce, with a weekly training allowance provided. The next session starts on October 1st and runs full-time for 8 weeks, combining classroom learning and work experience.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Engel & Völkers is pleased to announce the opening of its newest shop location in British Columbia, Engel & Völkers Campbell River Discovery Islands. This location will service clients in Campbell River and the neighbouring Discovery Islands. The establishment will be managed by license partners Abel O’Brennan, Erik Clevering, and Nathan King.
Rose Klukas
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) announces the names of the first five professionals to become BCEDA Certified Economic Development Professionals (CEDP.BC). First-ever CEDP.BC certified individuals are: Michael McGee, owner of ACED Management Inc.; Rose Klukas, Director of Economic Development and Indigenous Relations, City of Campbell River; Lana Fitt, Executive Director of Salmon Arm Economic Development Society; Amy Reid, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Quesnel; and Colleen Bond, Partner, EDCD Consulting.
Originally known as the Campbell River Micro Market, the Rail Yard Market will formally open to the public on September 13th. Without the long-term financial commitment of physical stores, the market offers cost-effective, short-term lease rates for developing enterprises.
The free virtual wecafé “Reconciliation and Resilience: A Conversation with Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs” will take place on September 25th hosted by WeBC.
The Campbell River Fire Department is accepting applications for the 2024 Paid-on-Call Firefighter Training Program.
The new aquatic wellness centre project RECREATE—Phase One—had its ground breaking ceremony on September 10th at the Strathcona Gardens.
Renovations are underway at Stonehouse Teas, 605 11th Avenue, Campbell River, and the contractor Dana Borgfjord Contracting and interior designer Modlux Interiors are working closely together for the two-week makeover.
COMOX VALLEY
Sophia Vaillant, a local changemaker, received the King Charles III Coronation Medal from Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna Rae Leonard.
The Comox Valley Schools Board Office has recently moved to 2488 Idiens Way, Courtenay.
North Vancouver Island‘s food storage capacity and food flows will be the focus of a year-long engagement initiative by LUSH Valley, Discovery Consulting and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).
The Courtenay’s Immigrant Welcome Center‘s exterior and interior newly painted by Cora Silvestru and Emily Thiessen, popularly known as Night and Day, depict themes of relocating to a new place.
Cellular Airborne Sensors for the CC-130H Hercules search and rescue aircraft have been introduced by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association. Even in the absence of a cellular network, the technology allows the CASSAR aircraft to locate the missing person and allows text messaging to verify an individual’s state and degree of concern.
On September 6, Comox Valley ElderCollege (CVEC) held a 25-year celebration at the Stan Hagen Theatre of North Island College (NIC).
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Two lots at 2102 Peninsula Road will soon be combined to form a new residential and commercial development at the entrance to Ucluelet. At the front of the new development are about four thousand square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and at the rear are twelve long-term housing apartments. There will also be eight short-term rental units for resort condos.
PORT ALBERNI
Uchucklesaht Tribe’s 112-unit housing development proposal has passed first and second readings without opposition from council of the City of Port Alberni. The development would include one, four-story apartment building and five, three-story townhouse complexes on the former playing behind Uchucklesaht’s Nucii Building, which was purchased in 2018 and renovated. Funding for the housing development is to be provided by its Capital Assets Corporation with additional anticipated funds from an application to BC Builds.
Kwatuuma Cole Sayers of the Hupačasath First Nation has received a King Charles III Coronation Medal for his work in clean energy and economic development. The medals are given to those who “Have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region, or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Sayers’ mother Judith Sayers also won the award at the Victoria ceremony in July.
The near-completion of the construction of Oomiiqsu (Mother) Centre, developed by Huu-ay-aht First Nation, was celebrated by dozens of supporters at Port Alberni’s Italian Hall on September 5th. The one-of-a-kind centre, which opens later this year, will provide supportive housing and services to Aboriginal women and children in Port Alberni. The new development includes transition housing, a childcare and support centre that will be managed and operated by the Huu-ay-aht government’s Child and Family Wellness Department. The centre will be operated by Huu-ay-aht government and will have space for up to 48 mothers and children. Huu-ay-aht partnered with the government of British Columbia to develop Oomiiqsu Centre. The province has invested about $10 million through the Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund with an additional $88,000 in annual operating funding. The Ministry of Education and Child Care is contributing $800,000 for childcare spaces.
The new $1.2 million West Bamfield submarine watermain project is moving forward after confirmation of funding from three levels of government. The project will replace 400 metres of piping and be weighted and include the installation of concrete armoring mats over the pipes for protection against the environment and boat anchors. The replacement ensures West Bamfield can continue to receive quality potable water, adequate system pressure, and meet the peak day demand. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District will contribute $313,436, federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program contributes $470,095, and the province’s Environmental Quality Program contributes $391,707.
Shalaya Valenzuela, a member of Tseshaht First Nation and part of the Canadian women’s rugby sevens squad that captured the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, has resumed her studies and focusing on winning a national championship while attending UBC. Valenzuela, who is 25, was an alternate on the Canadian club in Paris but participated in all team activities and was presented with an Olympic medal.
The Alberni District Fall Fair concluded over the weekend, including wrap-up of the 41st annual Logger Sports.
The Salty Woodsman is relocating to a new space in Port Albern Industrial Block.
Alberni Valley Food Security Society and Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District are celebrating the 12th Annual Family Farms Day. The event takes place September 15th 11am to 3pm and is a free self-guided community tour of urban and rural farm sites.
Bowerman Construction has completed nearly 2,000 metres of paved pathway, lighting, and tree planting on the City of Port Alberni’s Connect the Quays Pathway project.
Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot continues to offer free workshops and other supports for Port Alberni, Bamfield, Tofino and Ucluelet businesses at myCommunityFuturesBC.ca.
The 40th Annual Port Alberni Toy Run takes place September 14th – 15th 10am to 5pm. Over 1,500 motorcycle riders gather at Little Qualicum Fall Provincial Park and ride into Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay then finish at Glenwood Centre for bike games, show & shine, vendors, live entertainment, and a refreshment garden. Participants collect toys and donations for local children’s charities.
Bowerman Construction is installing mainline pipe on Tseshaht First Nation in 5 cul-de-sacs’
An open house for Huu-ay-aht First Nation’s Framework Plan is scheduled to take place in Anacla September 24th.
Tery Fox Run registration takes place Sunday September 15th at Royal Canadian Legion Branch at 9:30am. Run starts at 10am.
North Island College’s Port Alberni campus is hosting an orientation event on Tuesday September 17th.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Ken Neden was given the King Charles III Coronation Medal by Gord Johns in appreciation of his 50 years of volunteer work with Arrowsmith Search and Rescue.
The 100 Men of Oceanside donated $15,000 to the Oceanside Special Olympics Committee during their quarterly meeting on September 4, 2024, which was sponsored by Isle Golf Carts and the Morningstar Golf Club.
A new joint venture between the Qualicum School District and the Qualicum Beach Town will investigate potential permanent uses for the Qualicum Commons site.
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots North America Region has granted Iskwew Air the 2024 Master’s North American Trophy.
NANAIMO
Walter Anderson
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is set to host its inaugural Chamber U workshop, featuring Walter Anderson on September 11 at 2133 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo.
Ian Bunton celebrates his 6th anniversary with Galaxy Motors at the Nanaimo Service Department.
Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada, is set to join the Liberal Party in the role of special adviser.
Rob Pearlman, BCLS, has been promoted to the role of Remote Sensing Lead.
Katie Fenn, CEO of the BC Recreation and Parks Association, is set to lead a workshop at the Rural Recreation Summit, taking place at Vancouver Island University on November 13.
Hullo ferry employees, who are situated in Nanaimo, may be affiliating with the BC Ferries and Marine Workers union.
The Regional District of Nanaimo board has recommended acceptance of a development permit with variation to allow building of a gas station and convenience shop in Whisky Creek. Mid Island Consumer Services Co-operative was represented by Echelon Creative Inc. in the application.
A team from CBRE National Apartment Group – BC is marketing the Woodgrove Pines Apartments, a 137-unit rental complex located in North Nanaimo. The complex is four stories tall and is in close proximity to the Woodgrove Centre, a 748,000 square foot grocery store, and its several tenant-friendly features.
Tourism Cowichan, Destination British Columbia, and Tourism Innovation Lab introduced the latest Spark program on Vancouver Island. The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will pair local candidates with a tourism mentor, provide a $3,000 grant, and partner support to develop their new tourist ideas.
CT REIT has recently expanded its portfolio by acquiring the Canadian Tire and Mark’s stores located in Nanaimo, within the Nanaimo North Town Centre.
Dr. Ajay Shrestha, a VIU Computer Science Professor, is researching AI’s privacy impacts with the focus on understanding the perspectives of young digital users and protecting children’s privacy rights. He recently received a $86,601 grant from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
LADYSMITH-CHEMAINUS
Aaron Stone has been announced as the new CEO at South Island Prosperity Partnership. Aaron, recently announced that he will step down from his third term as Mayor of The Town of Ladysmith to accept the SIPP position.
The District Group‘s Ladysmith project at Ray Knight Drive and Rollie Rose Drive has been rezoned. A new Holland Creek residential development will offer single-family and multifamily residences to varied community members and families.
La Petite Auction House in Chemainus is re-opening.
AquaSTAR Canada has announced the launch of Private Swim Lessons at the Best Western Plus in Chemainus.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Tourism Cowichan, in collaboration with Destination British Columbia and Tourism Innovation Lab, has initiated the most recent Spark initiative in the Vancouver Island Region. The program is designed to encourage and facilitate innovative tourism in the Cowichan Region.
Dan Sanders has been named as the top salesperson for August at Island GM.
To commemorate their 156th anniversary, the Cowichan Exhibition will be returning for three days of family-friendly entertainment, featuring a midway, live entertainment, livestock, and an abundance of exhibits from September 13 to 15.
250 Liquidation Services opens its new location at 855 Shawnigan Lake Mill Bay Road Unit B, Mill Bay.
WorkBC Cowichan Valley is hosting an Inclusive Job Fair on September 26th at 264 Ingram St, Duncan.
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