News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Denise Idle has been appointed as the Community Adult Literacy Coordinator at Mount Waddington Family Literacy Society.
Following the closure of its operations in Beaver Cove near Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove in March 2026, Atli Resources LP is collaborating with the Island Coastal Economic Trust to invest in a Market Diversification Exploration Strategy. This strategy will result in the development of a preliminary business plan for alternative uses of the industrial site and infrastructure.
Aces Roofing has begun offering estimates in Port Alice, Port Hardy, and Port McNeill.
The Gathering Place, located at 1595 Broughton Boulevard, has been opened by the Social Prescribing Program.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Narrows Floating Restaurant is opening its doors for the season on Friday, May 8th.
Quinn Messer has been named as the new skill development coach for the Campbell River Storm.
Harbour Air‘s most recent route, which starts on July 6, spans from downtown Vancouver to Campbell River in less than an hour.
Seymour Pacific Developments has donated $29,000 to the Campbell River Community Foundation, which will go toward supporting non-profits, charities and different community projects.
Plume Holistic Medi Spa is celebrating its 3rd anniversary.
Infrastructure enhancements to a critical route in Campbell River will begin on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as part of the City’s Erickson Road Renewal Project.
COMOX VALLEY
Rosanna Chamberlin
Rosanna Chamberlin, Registered Physiotherapist at Orca Physiotherapy announced she will be opening a second clinic location at 102-1509 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay, in June 2026. She will continue to be in the Victoria clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; and will be in Courtenay on Saturdays and Sundays to start.
Archie’s Entertainment, a multi-attraction family entertainment centre, has officially opened at 2967 Kilpatrick Ave, Courtenay.
On May 10, the Comox Community Centre will host a community exercise event in honour of Mother’s Day and Move for Health Day. All are welcome to join in the health and wellness celebration.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with the Courtenay BIA to create Crisis Contact Number stickers for all BIA and Chamber members.
The AgriMarketing Program, administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides sector-specific support. Market diversification will be supported by $75 million in contribution funds over five fiscal years (2026-2027 to 2030-2031), in addition to Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership financing. Applicants must apply by September 30, 2030.
The Comox Valley Transition Society and Navacord are excited to announce the 6th Drive Away Domestic Violence Golf Classic, scheduled for May 29, 2026, at Crown Isle Golf Resort.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Costco Wholesale, Nanaimo.
The Town of Qualicum Beach is inviting offers to purchase up to 0.35 hectare (0.86 acres) of land located on Blind Bogey Drive in the Eaglecrest Neighbourhood. Zoned Residential 1 (R1), the zoning permits a range of low-density housing options, including single detached dwellings, duplexes, and houseplexes. A Preliminary Layout Acceptance is already in place for a five-lot subdivision; however, the Town is open to alternative subdivision designs that comply with current zoning regulations.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will be on May 29 at Fairwinds Golf Club.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members, Coastal Integration, Somers Moving and Elle Bryson RMT.
DRIF has allocated $843,700 to the Town of Qualicum as part of a bigger province-wide commitment totaling $18 million.
The SOS Fore Our Community Golf Tournament is on June 6th at the Morningstar Golf Club.
PORT ALBERNI
Alberni Pacific Railway, Hupačasath First Nation, Tseshaht First Nation, and the Island Corridor Foundation celebrated and cut the ribbon for the Barclay Hotel Rail Extension on May 2.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 13, at the McLean Mill National Historic Site. The event unites business owners, community leaders, and the public to explore the economic dynamics influencing Vancouver Island.
The Marine Building, which is home to The Donut Shop, Sugar Shak, All Mex’d Up Taco Shop, and a café, is slated to undergo a transformation at Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay.
An open house will be held at West Coast General Hospital on Tuesday, May 12, with an emphasis on Indigenous health.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
Rick Geddes, the Fire Chief of Ucluelet, has accepted the position of Regional Fire Chief for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. In this capacity, he will be responsible for the supervision of nine fire departments and a FireSmart BC team from his new office in Kamloops.
Tofino has approved a third reading of its financial plan, leading to a seven per cent increase in base municipal taxes.
The Vancouver Island Purpose Business Collaborative, which is spearheaded by the Sooke and Tofino Chambers of Commerce, will gather executives from all over the Island to look into the potential of integrating social purpose into strategy and operations to achieve both commercial success and a positive societal impact.
NANAIMO
The City of Nanaimo and BC Housing have reached an agreement to extend the existing lease for the temporary housing site at 2060 Labieux Road until September 2027.
Dr. Georgina Martin, a professor in Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies at Vancouver Island University, has been elected to a national group dedicated to the culturally appropriate review of Indigenous research, representing British Columbia.
Leon Potter, Theatre Chair and Professor at Vancouver Island University, has been honoured with the City of Nanaimo’s 2026 Excellence in Culture Award, recognizing his leadership, creativity, and significant influence on the cultural landscape of the community.
Acquiring property from Great Canadian Entertainment, the Snuneymuxw First Nation‘s casino portfolio in BC now includes Casino Nanaimo, Elements Casino Victoria and, added most recently, Chances Maple Ridge.
Eric D’Andrea has been named the new head coach of the VIU Mariners men’s basketball team.
DKI Pro Pacific now serves Central Vancouver Island — including Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, the Comox Valley, and across to Port Alberni and Sproat Lake.
Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank is pleased to announce a landmark multi-year naming sponsorship with the Hazelwood Group of Companies in support of the Free Food Market program. Hazelwood’s investment of $375,000 over five years will name the Free Food Market at the new Loaves & Fishes Regional Food Centre in Nanaimo, as well as support recognition across all current and future Free Food Market locations operated by Loaves & Fishes throughout Vancouver Island.
Yolks, a chef-founded breakfast and brunch concept famous for its “Perfectly Poached eggs™” and scratch-made menu, will be one of the first tenants at The Village at stlilnup, opening in summer 2026, according to Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation.
The Vancouver Island Conference Centre will host GLITTER2026 on Saturday, September 12, 2026. This event will unite the creative community of Vancouver Island in support of youth mental health, and it promises to be a tremendous night of art, community, and purpose.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Nic Medgyesi
Nic Medgyesi has joined Pharmasave Chemainus.
The Golden GOAT Boxing Club is celebrating its 1 year anniversary.
Ladysmith Smiles has been nominated in the Cowichan Valley’s Best Dental Clinic, Best Dental Hygiene Clinic, and Best Dentist in the CommunityVotes Cowichan Valley 2026 awards.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce‘s 17th annual Chamber Golf Classic, set to take place on June 12 at Cottonwood Golf Course, is now accepting registrations.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Kot Auto Group announced the acquisition of Duncan Hyundai, marking its 12th dealership and 4th Hyundai location in British Columbia, effective June 1, 2026.
The first entirely electric hospital in British Columbia, Quw’utsun Valley Hospital (formerly the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project), has been making headway in recent months. It is expected to open in the late spring of 2027.
The sale of 3.4 acres of Beverly Street municipal land to the Cowichan Green Community for $10 was finalized by North Cowichan on April 8.
The Crofton pulp mill site, owned by Domtar, has been inundated with offers from investors and businesses since the factory ceased operations earlier this year.
The bakery, Duncan’s Westfalian Bakery, at 187 Kenneth St., will soon have a restaurant attached to it.
Scott Hayes and Kenyon Fairs‘ flower business, The Flower Guys, is expanding to a bigger space at 127 Station, which was once the Fickle Pickle restaurant. This new location is just a few doors up from their current location at 121 Station St. in Duncan.
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