Eddyfi Technologies That Purchased Robot Maker Inuktun Bought By American Firm
MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – IWCD is now busy with another exciting new project – a tenant improvement for Kirby’s Source For Sports at their newest location, the former Brechin Lanes building at 1870 Wellington Road, not far from their current 1925 Bowen Road store. The 13,200 square foot renovation will change the former bowling alley into a modern sporting goods destination that will feature a dedicated puck shooting lane with synthetic ice, which will allow customers to test skates before purchasing.
Aspengrove School Head of School Gary Kern announced some exciting news regarding the expansion of two high performance opportunities for students at the private educational institution in north Nanaimo. Last fall Aspengrove launched the inaugural season of their High Performance Basketball program, and now they’ve joined North Pole Hoops and compete in the National Preparatory Association, which is Canada’s leading league for high school athletes. Leading the program will be Matt Kuzminski, Scott Marr and Chris Marsh. Aspengrove is also introducing the Aspengrove Dance Academy, to be led by Director of Dance Kathryn Russell. The program will also include the Aspengrove Ballet Academy.
A new Driftwood Chinese Buffet and Bar restaurant has opened in Victoria at 615 Yates Street in the former location of Azuma Sushi at the corner of Yates and Broad Streets. This is the sixth location of the popular and sumptuous restaurant on Vancouver Island, with the other locations being in Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Courtenay, Campbell River and Oyster River.
Nanaimo-based robot creator and innovator Inuktun Services was purchased by Eddyfi Technologies from eastern Canada several years ago, and now Eddyfi has signed a definitive agreement to sell to American firm ESAB Corporation (ESAB on the New York Stock Exchange. The deal for the advanced inspection and monitoring technology firm was announced February 2.
Cleats up to Cutting Room Creative owner Edwin Johnston, who was honoured as the Masters Athlete of the Year at the Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards February 20 at the Coast Bastion Hotel. Edwin is a triathlete and he placed second in his age group for the Apple Triathlon in Kelowna and also captured a pair of silver medals in the Nanaimo 55+ B.C. Games. Edwin has earned a spot on the Canadian team that will compete in Pontevedra, Spain in the World Triathlon Age-Group Championships in September.
Vancouver Island firm Grass Roots Enterprises has been awarded a $1,181,800 contract to reconfigure the Eaglecrest Golf Course in Qualicum Beach.
Congratulations to Alvin Tan for being recognized as one of the Top 10 realtors for eXp Realty in January.
Pat O’Dwyer
Long-time Nanaimo sports figure Pat O’Dwyer is now the Franchise Sales Operator and Dealer at AutoBahn Nanaimo. Pat has been in the automotive industry for over 30 years, and the 303 Terminal Avenue in downtown Nanaimo will specialize in trucks, cars, SUVs, luxury and performance vehicles, passenger and commercial vans, and recreational vehicles.
Lantzville Storage at 6862 Mart Road has signed on as a neighborhood dealer for U-Haul Co. (Canada) Ltd.
A tip of the hat to Atlas Engineered Products CEO Hadi Abassi upon his recent induction into the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame. Hadi was the driving force behind the national junior football champion Vancouver Island Raiders which featured star running back Andrew Harris, who went on to win Grey Cups and awards in the Canadian Football League.
Dave Johnston is pleased to note that the team at VI Powersports has purchased Spunky’s Motorcycles and will be moving their Nanaimo operations to Parksville in March. The new VI Powersports Super Centre will carry BMW, CFMOTO, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Gas Gas and Surron.
VMAC has added Tommy Rorex to its sales team as a National Sales Representative serving Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas and Arkansas.
Snuneymuxw First Nation also recently announced its purchase of the Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam from Great Canadian Entertainment, which is the fifth casino under its portfolio with its economic development group Petroglyph Development Group. The facility includes a Gordon Ramsay Burger restaurant. Snuneymuxw First Nation also recently received over $700,000 from the federal government to help them renovate eight existing homes within their territory.
Prime Golf, an indoor golf simulator, is now open at 1975 Bollinger Road.
John Wilson has been named president of the company that runs the Nanaimo NightOwls and Victoria Harbourcats teams in the West Coast Baseball League. John, currently the Chairman of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and owner of Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. is a long-time fixture in the Vancouver Island sporting community, and he takes over from Ken Swanson. Jim Swanson continues to serve as managing partner, Adrian Somers is in charge of operations and marketing, and Tim Cornett is the general manager.
Nanaimo-Ladysmith First Nations lawyer Martin Buhler is one of 31 lawyers receiving a King’s Counsel designation for 2025.
Hakai Energy Solutions Inc. has been acquired by solar and energy storage company SkyFire Energy Inc.
A six-storey, 305 bed long-term care home proposed for 6910 and 6930 Lantzville Road has been approved by Lantzville council. The building was first announced in 2023 by the B.C. government.
Congratulations for Rick Horsland of RE/MAX Professionals for earning a RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award.
Realtor Tanya Forbes has joined the team at RE/MAX Professionals.
R.W. (Bob) Wall Ltd. is at again, as they’ve presented plans to city council for two five-storey medical centres to be built on Dufferin Crescent and Seafield Crescent, adjacent to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. The company has been specializing in medically-related buildings in the recent past, and this project is owned by Canadian Cache Development Corporation. The buildings will be called the Keystone Medical Centre and the Parkview Medical Centre.
Janice Perrino has been chosen to serve a second term as chairperson for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District. Janice is a councillor for the city of Nanaimo and is the former Mayor of Summerland.
Kylee Power, President and Co-owner of the seven Central Drugs locations in Nanaimo, has been elected Chair of the BC Pharmacy Association Board of Directors for 2026. Central Drugs earned Health Care Company of the Year at the 25th TD Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre February 19.
A total of 48 housing units have been proposed for the Wellington Housing Development on Wellington Road, to be built by Windley Contracting. Low, Hammond, Rowe Architects Inc. is designing the project.
Royal LePage Parksville has rebranded as Royal LePage Island Living.
Dolly’s Gym at 111 Nicol Street is now Zod’s Gym.
Captain Edward Dahlgren, CMMC, MNI, has been appointed as Vice President of Marine Operations and Harbour Master at the Port of Nanaimo.
VitaCare Natural Health Clinic is now in their new location at 102-1801 Bowen Road and they’ve added Dr. Julia Christensen ND to their team.
The Steve Marshall Group has officially taken over Lions Gate Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in North Vancouver, formerly known as Coast CDJR. It is the fourth acquisition of the Steve Marshall Group in the last year. Their flagship store in Nanaimo was renamed Sunshine Mountain Ford Lincoln, and they have a new General Manager and Managing Partner in Cory Dieno.
With sadness, we acknowledge the passing late last fall of two long-time Nanaimo architects – Erich Streit and Ian Niamath. Erich was formerly with David Spearing and Associates and joined Herold Engineering almost 25 years ago. Ian designed the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza and Swy-a-Lana Lagoon in downtown Nanaimo, as well as numerous churches and residential and commercial buildings across Vancouver Island.
BC Hydro has added electric vehicle hub sites in the parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore at 6435 Metral Drive and in the Rock City Centre.
– Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. mark@communicationink.ca
