News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
The Kwakwak’wakw Fashion Show, led by designer Aurellia Nelson, hamalakane’ga Kwakwani, is set to return on April 12 at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.
The Regional District of Mount Waddington is facing a space crunch, especially with potential staff vacancies filled. They are exploring possibilities for the building of new offices and are applying for a $200,000 grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to conduct a feasibility study.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Hub, a multi-family development situated on 28th Street NE in Salmon Arm, has officially begun construction by Crowne Pacific Development Corp.
Seymour Pacific Developments has begun construction on Fairmont Views Phase 3 in Lethbridge, AB, following the conclusion of Fairmont Views Phase 2.
The Campbell River Sportsplex will be closed on April 2 for a watermain repair from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The City of Campbell River is proposing Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 3989, 2025, to make a site-specific text amendment to the Public Areas One (PA-1) Zone to allow a new development to house doctors, nurses, and families staying with a hospitalized family member at 375 2nd Avenue.
The Strathcona Regional District will expand Just Like Home Lodge, which will house patients and families travelling far for treatment steps from Campbell River Hospital.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board has formally approved its 2025–2029 Financial Plan, which includes significant investments in community recreation infrastructure, healthcare accessibility and workforce housing, governance and community engagement, and disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
Discovery Laser Skin Care Clinic is celebrating 20th anniversary.
COMOX VALLEY
The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre, spearheaded by the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, is set to transform into a knowledge hub and UNESCO Visitor Centre, designed within an innovative space that adheres to the stringent Living Building Challenge standards.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reduced federal funding for the Immigrant Welcome Centre, which has offices in Courtenay, Campbell River, and Port McNeill. As a result, the organization has had to pivot and reduce staff and upper-level language classes.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Tofino District officials are lobbying for a re-exclusion from provincial laws that would have limited the number of short-term rentals that homeowners in the area could list on websites like VRBO and Airbnb.
Santosha Spa is now the local retailer for Tofino Towel.
PORT ALBERNI
License to Grill, located within Wesco Foods, recently hosted its grand opening celebration.
Dr. J Szostek, DC, announced the opening of Inlet Chiropractic at the former Alberni Chiropractic space.
The Build Your Own Future Program is now accepting registrants in Port Alberni.
Skytec Group of Companies won Indigenous Business of the Year at the 24th annual Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is collaborating with Alberni Valley Food Security Society and Farm to School BC to revitalize three Pacific Rim Schools gardens.
Antidote Distilling Co. was recognized at the 2025 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition.
The City of Port Alberni has officially denied Twin City Brewing‘s ambitious proposal to repurpose the historic water tower as a substantial beer reservoir.
The Alberni District Fall Fair is celebrating 80 years this fall.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Basics & Beyond Wellness is set to open its doors in April 2025 at 220 Island Highway West in Parksville.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce‘s Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at Morningstar Golf Club.
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region is hosting the 2025 Brant Wildlife Festival, which will run from Friday, April 4, to Monday, April 7.
NANAIMO
Tesla has just been cut from BC Hydro & CleanBC rebate programs.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia has initiated the distribution of millions of dollars in rebates to individuals who have maintained an active “basic” insurance policy as of January 2025. The rebates amount to $110 per person.
The Annual General Meeting of Tourism Nanaimo is scheduled to take place on May 2, 2025, in the Ballroom of the Coast Bastion Hotel.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has been recognized with an Honourable Mention for Industry Partner of the Year at the ACE-WIL 2024 Awards.
Leadership Vancouver Island marks its 20th anniversary on April 24 at Nanaimo Golf.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is seeking qualified and experienced contractors to supply and install a 72 m length of water main conduit, which will include trenching, backfill, and surface restoration. The site is situated in the San Pareil Water Service Area, at the eastern end of Shorewood Dr and the northern end of Rico’s Lane. A verifiable digital Bid Bond and a verifiable digital Consent of Surety, as defined by the Surety Association of Canada, must be submitted with all Tenders.
On Monday, March 31, the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary presented a $1 million cheque to the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as its annual donation at an event held at the Beban Park Social Centre.
Virginia Coverdale, the owner of My Undies-Lingerie and Gifts, is running for a position on the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Deborah Saucier, the president and vice-chancellor of Vancouver Island University, has announced that she will be resigning on April 4.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Deena Beeston officially took office as the mayor of Ladysmith.
The Shining Tree Studio is expanding with a bigger space and more equipment, at 1-9765 Chemainus Road.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Merridale Cidery & Distillery announced that Whisky Jacks has been awarded Gold for Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. Whisky Jacks was the first whisky ever crafted at Merridale, distilled in 2007 and aged for over 15 years. This small-batch spirit carries a personal significance for Janet Dochery, owner and chief disruptor at Merridale. It was named in honour of two men—Jack Docherty, father of Janet Docherty, and Jack Pipes, father of former co-founder Rick Pipes. Merridale extends heartfelt thanks to the master distiller, Laurent Lafuente, and the entire team for their skill, patience, and passion in crafting this award-winning whisky.
Isherwood Body and Fender owner Ryan Isherwood said that construction is well underway on a brand-new, considerably larger, state-of-the-art collision repair facility at 4970 Polkey Rd. The business is anticipated to open its doors in May.
The Parkside Academy Child Care Society, which operates the facility near McAdam Park, will provide the new affordable spaces in collaboration with the City of Duncan, which owns the building. This initiative is made possible by the province’s New Spaces Fund.
Little Property Group, a realty firm situated on Vancouver Island, has moved from Pemberton Holmes Real Estate to eXp Realty Canada.
The Duncan location of the Old Farm Market is currently hosting a fundraiser for Cowichan Valley Youth Services until April 9, with a goal of raising $10,000.
Leeward Coastal Cafe in Cowichan Bay, owned by Bruce Stewart, has officially closed as of March 30.
The first drive-thru from the Tacotime restaurant franchise on Vancouver Island is set to open on April 16 on York Road in Duncan.
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