News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The Victor’s Secret Fashion Show made its comeback to the Port McNeill Community Hall for its 12th anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 25, marking another successful fundraiser for cancer patients residing in Woss-north, organized by Cheryl Verbrugge. The show has contributed more than $65,500 to support North Island cancer fighters with expenses such as travel, meals, accommodations, and wigs.
Charming Cafe for Sale: A Turn-Key Opportunity – located on Malcolm Island; 2 hours north of Campbell River – $75,000.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Coastal Wilderness Adventures is marking its 25th anniversary.
The Campbell River Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) will host a mini World Cup which will take place in Campbell River this April. The tournament will welcome teams from the Upper Island Soccer Association (UISA), specifically Ladysmith and areas to the north, while also allowing participation from teams across the province.
The Immigrant Welcome Centre of North Vancouver Island has partnered with the Construction Foundations of BC to host “Pathways to success: immigrant insights into the Canadian job market.” The event is scheduled on February 25, 2025 at Comfort Inn & Suites, 1351 Shoppers Row, Campbell River.
Following up on the success of the wintertime events in 2023 and 2024, the City of Campbell River (the City) is pleased to announce the third edition of A Night Out Downtown, taking place on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Eight businesses along Shoppers Row and 11th Avenue in the heart of downtown will host entertainment and special offers starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until late.
COMOX VALLEY
Students at North Island College can now submit their applications for accommodation, marking a significant step as the college prepares to launch its inaugural student housing this fall. This month, NIC has opened applications for the new student housing at the Comox Valley campus.
Island Health has successfully tested a drone delivery system at North Island Hospital in Comox Valley, which was conducted by University of Victoria Centre for Aerospace Research, signalling a new direction for health care service delivery.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Ucluelet Brewing Company celebrates 5 years on February 14th.
Registration is now open for September 2025 school year at Little Hands Learning Center Ltd.
Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member, Sea Otter Services.
The Pacific Rim Rotary Club, in partnership with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, invites restaurants to join the annual Chowder Chowdown event, scheduled on March 16th.
The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre is hosting a Local Trades Fair with Naikoon Contracting on February 6th at the CBT Office located at 316 Main Street, Tofino.
Heartwood Kitchen is looking for a talented cook or sous chef to join our restaurant and catering team.
PORT ALBERNI
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Communications Department has received a grant from Indigenous Services Canada totaling $25,491, to develop an app that will launch this year.
Jowsey’s Furniture and Beaver Creek Home Centre have donated 13 box springs and protectors to Sage Haven Society.
Family Literacy Day takes place February 1 at the City of Port Alberni’s Echo Centre. Numerous children and youth-based organizations are involved including PacificCare, Outreach Therapy, Island Health, Literacy Alberni, Alberni Valley Food Security Group, Alberni Valley Museum, City of Port Alberni Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, School District #70 Pacific Rim, Port Alberni Association for Community Living, Pacific Rim Children and Families and the Vancouver Island Regional Library.
The Alberni Valley Community Foundation grant application intake is open until February 28.
The City of Port Alberni is replacing support posts and safety bollards in the Harbour Quay.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is hosting the first Alberni Valley Children’s Arts Festival, a celebration of creativity, imagination, and community Sunday, February 16, at Gyro Recreation Park during the Family Day weekend.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Hupačasath First Nation, and North Island College are partnering to deliver a Greenhouse Propagation and Production course February 18 to March 27.
The Nuu-Chah-nulth Tribal Council celebrates with its USMA Nuu-Chah-Nulth Family and Child Services program for being a recipient of the B.C. Reconciliation Awards. The B.C. Reconciliation Awards recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and commitment to furthering reconciliation efforts.
Alberni District Secondary School is hosting the 40th Wrestling Invitational on January 31.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
On February 8, an impressive group of artists will come together to honour the music of Gram Parsons in Parksville. Performers Sue Medley, Doug Cox, Steve Mitchell, and Mick Sherlock will take the stage at the McMillan Arts Centre, located at 133 McMillan St., for the ‘Cosmic American Music Revue.‘ Parsons’ influence extended to major acts including the Eagles, Emmylou Harris and the Rolling Stones. He made music both as a solo artist and as part of the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Changes are on the way for the Qualicum Beach Skatepark, with reconstruction scheduled to start on Feb. 3 and expected to finish by summer 2025. The new skatepark, positioned between the ballfields and parking lot at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, aims to serve as a vibrant centre for recreation and social engagement for youth, families, and visitors from the surrounding area. The town has announced that the skatepark will include new features like a “slappy curve” and a “bonk-to-bar,” offering thrilling chances for skaters to “ollie, grind, and enjoy.”
A new bylaw is in place that requires all commercial, institutional and multi-family properties to have bins for organics and recycling. Stop by the Parksville Community Centre (223 Mills Street) on February 5 from 3-5 pm to learn more.
The Town of Qualicum Beach invites tenders for general contracting services for the Seacrest Place Slope Stabilization. Submissions are due February 19, 2025.
NANAIMO
Vancouver Island University is currently building a new 10-storey student housing facility at 900 Fifth St., expected to be finished by 2027. The building will feature housing that includes 266 student beds, complete with shared lounges, washrooms, and kitchens on every residential floor. It will include a 200-seat dining hall, study rooms, a multi-purpose room, bike storage, shared laundry, and office spaces for staff.
Nanaimo is now exploring a protection bylaw aimed at safeguarding tenants facing eviction due to landlords’ redevelopment plans for rental properties. A proposed bylaw could impact rental properties with four or more units, as well as manufactured home communities, including modular and mobile homes. The B.C. government has recently passed amendments to housing statutes, granting municipalities clear authority to create tenant protection bylaws.
Nanaimo city council has greenlit a concept plan for a public park at Five Acres Farm. The 933 Park Ave. property is set to be transformed into a nature park and urban agriculture centre.
Bus fares in the Regional District of Nanaimo will increase for commuters later this spring.
The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation has not yet secured funding for a SPECT-CT machine. However, thanks to winter donations, the hospital will soon receive several new amenities, including a prostate laser. The winter fundraising campaign is centred around the SPECT-CT scanner, marking the foundation’s largest effort to raise funds for a single piece of medical equipment, with a goal of $2.9 million.
Simon Fraser University has teamed up with Mitacs, 13 universities, and health research institutes nationwide, along with 57 collaborating organizations, to enhance Canada’s research to innovation continuum. This initiative is backed by 5 years of funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The Invention to Innovation (i2I) network in BC is set to grow, welcoming new delivery partners and co-applicants from the University of Victoria, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), University of the Fraser Valley, Providence Healthcare, and Fraser Healthcare.
Nanaimo’s Midtown Gateway project has reached a significant milestone, unveiling new routes and connections for commuters. Traffic lights were activated at the new intersection of Bowen and Boxwood roads and Beban Parkway just before noon on Wednesday, Jan. 22. This allowed a City of Nanaimo fleet vehicle, transporting city workers and council members, to cross Bowen Road from Beban Parkway to Boxwood Road, marking the official kickoff of the project.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The Rotary Club of Duncan is set to kick off the Heart of Gold Auction, showcasing their commitment to community service and generosity. The auction, which is now live online, features over 120 items.
Lealand Contracting is looking for Carpenters & Labourers to join its team.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Dan Little
Dan Little, FCPA, FCA, Retired managing partner, Doane Grant Thornton LLP (Duncan) received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC).
North Cowichan council has approved the closure of the northern portion of Paddle Road during their meeting on Jan. 15, allowing the first phase of a significant high-density housing project on a 2.17-hectare site on Paddle Road in North Cowichan to start soon. Chilliwack-based Kerkhoff Construction will proceed with their project, as the lands will be transferred to the developer in return for a new road alignment and improvements.
North Cowichan’s council has approved borrowing the last $11 million needed for the $45.5-million headquarters of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment on Drinkwater Road, as decided in their meeting on Dec. 18. The Municipal Finance Authority of B.C. has provided a long-term loan following the municipality’s initial borrowing of $22 million for the new facility in 2022.
Serious Brewing Co., a new brew pub, is set to open in Chemainus Village Square, taking over the former Riot Brewing location. The Wayne Procter Group, which also owns Serious Coffee based in Vancouver Island, is the owner and operator of the new business.
Cowichan Cremation and Burial Services has opened a new location at 235 Kenneth Ave. in Duncan, directly across from Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
Aloha Bowls and Kahuna Burger, hawaiian-themed restaurants located on Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan, have closed their doors.
BarBurrito has opened its first location in Cowichan Valley at Unit 3, 5832 Trans Canada Hwy. The restaurant has teamed up with professional basketball players Kelly Olynyk and Gradey Dick to introduce two exclusive menu items: the “Classic Kelly” and the “Hungry Gradey.” Starting now and continuing until April 30, each purchase of these limited-edition burritos will contribute $1 to Buckets & Borders, a Canadian non-profit focused on building community and connection through basketball.
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