News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Councillor John Tidbury of Port Hardy received a long service award during the 2024 UBCM Convention held in September.
Better at Home received a $10,000 funding from the United Way of BC to support its meal program for seniors. The presentation took place at the A-Frame Church on October 7th. The Better at Home program aims to enhance collaboration and communication among agencies that serve seniors in the community.
The Oktoberfest event hosted by Erdinger Brewery and Sporty Bar & Grill will be held on October 18th & 19th at 5 PM in Port Hardy. The event will feature beer, food, and music, including traditional Oktoberfest beverages and food. There will be a yodel contest, fun games, and exciting prizes. Tickets are $30, which include one free Erdinger beer. Original Oktoberfest live music will be performed by Hans and Franz. The event is for those 19+ (no minors allowed), and only 110 tickets are available per night.
The Port McNeill Volunteer Fire Department is recruiting new squad of firefighters.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Andy Stevens and Tricia Campbell have joined the Client Service team at Alitis Investment Counsel.
Alitis Wealth Planning is offering two complimentary Estate Planning 101 seminars. These sessions are for anyone interested in understanding the key components of estate planning, including legal documents, taxes & probate, which will be held from 2-3PM on October 22 in Campbell River and October 24 in Courtenay. Free to attend but RSVP required.
In recognition of his 32 years of service in the Army Reserve of the Canadian Armed Forces, Campbell River resident Mike Bean, a Master Warrant Officer in The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s), receives a second clasp to his Canadian Forces’ Decoration from Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Slade Lerch.
In keeping with Campbell River’s commitment to a safe and healthy community, temporary overnight sheltering is no longer available at 1299 Homewood Road, as the City prepares for the opening of the 40-unit Homewood rapid housing initiative.
Campbell River City Council received a presentation from Lisa Domae, President, and Naomi Tabata, Envision North Island Director, North Island College, regarding a Campbell River Student Housing Project, which looks to bring 220 beds to the community by 2029. Council directed staff to provide a letter of support and report back on how the City can support the project.
At their October 10th Council Meeting, Campbell River City Council adopted Development Cost Charges Reduction Bylaw No. 3973, 2024, which proposes to reduce the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for affordable rental housing by 50 per cent. The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant will be used to offset revenue loss related to DCC reductions for affordable housing. DCC reductions for eligible developments will be available until October 2027 or until the $250,000 program funding is exhausted.
Council authorized the City to enter into an Airport Lands Revitalization Tax Exemption Agreement and to issue an Airport Lands Revitalization Tax Exemption Certificate to Sweet-Zees Holding Company for 2206 Airport Drive. The agreement will be for five years, starting after the issuance of building occupancy. This development, a two-storey office/light industrial building with warehouse space, is eligible for a revitalization tax exemption under Airport Lands Revitalization Bylaw 3865, 2022. The City will forego an estimated $96,300 in property taxes over five years but looks to contribute to the long-term revitalization of YBL with anticipated economic benefits for the City.
COMOX VALLEY
Mark Riddell
Mark Riddell has been hired to the position of Chief Financial Officer at Providence Living effective August 19, 2024.
The 2024 Employer Symposium, themed “Innovations in the Workforce”, will take place on Tuesday, October 29 from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm. Hosted by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Doane Grant Thornton and Comox Valley Airport, the event focuses on workplace innovation and dynamics. Key sponsors include Creative Employment Access Society, Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community and Gerritsen Brooks Ltd. Partial event proceeds in support of Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue.
Nick Ward has officially taken on the role of councillor in the Village of Cumberland, stepping in after Jesse Ketler’s resignation in June.
Veterans are invited to a luncheon hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Comox Branch 160 on November 1 at the Comox Legion, 1825 Comox Ave., Comox.
Harmonic Arts, a Certified B Corporation, is a finalist for the Vancouver Island Ecostar Awards in the Sustainable Workplace category.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The Ocean Village Resort in Tofino is celebrating its 48 years in business.
Naturespacepractice and Tofino Yoga will be collaborating to offer a 100-hour Yin and Restorative Yoga teacher training that includes a Yoga Nidra teacher training beginning on October 24th.
The Tofino Surf Lifesaving Club has joined the Tofino Chamber of Commerce as a new member.
PORT ALBERNI
Bee-rads Vacuum Land opened for business in Port Alberni’s Uptown Business area.
Hair By Carlie and The Mane Garden have relocated to work alongside Hair By Blonderae at a new location on Cherry Creek Road in Port Alberni.
Alport Insurance Agencies Inc. has moved to a new location beside Shoppers Drug Mart on 10th Avenue.
Activate Athletic Studio hosted the 4th annual Witches Paddle at Sproat lake on Saturday October 12th.
Nominations close October 18th for the 2024 Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards. Judging will take place on October 28th and the Awards Gala takes place at the Italian Hall Events Centre on November 29th. Nominations can be submitted online.
The Championship Dog Show takes place October 18th to 20th at the Glenwood Centre, hosted by Alberni Valley Kennel Club.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is hosting a “Get to Know The Gallery Day” on October 19th.
“Untangling Knots”, The latest podcast of Rez Dog Walkers features John Jack, Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nation and acting Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust. Councillor Jack discusses the vital collaboration between First Nations resource developers and government entities in Canada. The podcast is hosted by Dallas Smith, President of Namakolas Council, and provides an intimate look at Indigenous land management, sustainability, politics and community on the West Coast.
The Salty Woodsman held its final sale at its River Road location and will be moving to a new location in the Port Alberni Industrial Block. Site improvements are being completed by SkyTec Contracting.
Ironworks Cafe & Creperie is temporarily closing doors and will be re-opening as “The Bombers Café & Creperie” under new ownership as an independent café.
The Feature Film “Stolen Child” is shooting in Port Alberni October 28.
The Alberni Pacific Railway is hosting a “Ghost Train” heritage train ride along Port Alberni’s waterfront on October 26th.
The Starboard Grill is hosting the annual October Starboard Grill Staff Burger Competition with 19 burgers added to the menu for community voting.
Huu-ay-aht First Nations is inviting bids for catering services for two upcoming events in Port Alberni. Deadlines are November 6th and December 1st.
Port Alberni-owned Coulson Aviation continues to support the Federal Australian Fleet as the company gears up for the high-risk weather season, Tanker 132 was sent again this year as Australia’s national Large Air Tanker.
A new Engine 33 built by Fort Garry Fire Trucks is being delivered to the Cherry Creek Fire Department in the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
The Alberni Valley Makerspace has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Ecostar Award.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Nationally acclaimed storyteller Kathie Kompass will be featured at the Mid-Island Storytellers season on October 25 at Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre.
A letter was presented to Council regarding the $36 million Ravensong pool extension project in Parksville, which would better serve the community.
Ghana Medical Help, established 15 years ago by Dr. Kelly Hadfield, is a community that a Qualicum Beach medical practice has been successful in attracting medical professionals to. Two million people, many of whom live in severe poverty, reside in an area in northern Ghana where GMH provides hospitals with access to life-saving supplies and equipment.
Organizations and individuals can now submit applications to host special events at City of Parksville-owned venues or on city streets and sidewalks. The review process for events in 2025 will start on November 30.
Members of the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) will hold their yearly open house at the Parksville Fire Hall, situated at 160 Jensen Avenue West, on October 27.
NANAIMO
Jamie Slater
Jamie Slater, CPA, CA, is going to start a new job at the Vancouver Island Regional Library as the Director of Finance.
Officer Andrew Burton of the Nanaimo RCMP has been promoted to superintendent and is now the officer in charge of the detachment.
Krishna Yadav has joined Footholds Therapy Centre in Nanaimo as the new Child and Youth Worker.
Shawna Drinnan, the Water Resources Specialist for the City of Nanaimo, has been honoured by the Public Works Association of BC as the 2024 Women’s Public Works Ambassador for her exceptional contributions to community service!
The City of Nanaimo has been recognized at this year’s Union of BC Municipalities convention with Community Excellence Award for Excellence in Sustainability and the Community Energy Association’s 2024 Climate & Energy Action Award!
The opening night of the Vancouver Island Symphony‘s upcoming season is set for October 19 at the Port Theatre.
On election day, Saturday, Oct. 19, passengers can ride RDN Transit buses at no cost.
Bird Construction is currently seeking a Senior Project Manager to support a project in Nanaimo, with a start date in Q2 2025.
The Vancouver Island Construction Association is hosting a Flu Clinic in Nanaimo on October 29th, at #5-1850 Northfield Road.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
A new website called Let’s Talk Ladysmith has been developed by the Town of Ladysmith to promote local engagement.
The first 2024 auction at La Petite Auction House in downtown Chemainus, located at 9686 Chemainus Road, begins at noon on November 3.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Ampersand Distilling Co. celebrates a milestone 10-year anniversary this month with a teaser of two new spirits to be released soon – Raconteur Whisky and Barrel-aged Gin. Opened in October 2014, Ampersand Distilling Co. is owned and operated by the Schacht family, on a five-acre organic vegetable farm. Trained as engineers, father-son duo Stephen and Jeremy Schacht employed their knowledge of science and traditional distilling techniques to build the distillery from the ground up. Stephen and his wife Ramona’s love of farming, and Jeremy and his wife Jessica’s love for cocktails added fuel to the fire, and business was soon booming.
Rocky Creek Winery in Cowichan Valley, known for its awards, has closed its doors after two decades of operation.
Canada’s biggest music shop chain, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, just opened a new store at 5871 York Rd.
The BC Chamber of Commerce is set to host the Small Business Week Summit from October 21 to 25 via Zoom. This year’s theme, “Cultivating Resilience through Innovation,” will focus on empowering businesses to succeed amid uncertainty and change.
For the second year in a row, the InCharacter Costume and Novelties pop-up store has opened to meet the Halloween demands of the Cowichan Valley. This year, the Halloween store is located in Cowichan Commons, next to Bosley’s pet store and across from the Home Depot.
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