News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Port McNeill Hospital is undergoing a siding replacement at its front, as announced by Island Health.
Port Hardy Secondary School will host an evening concert on April 23 as part of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra‘s 40th anniversary tour and a benefit for the performing arts programs at PHSS.
Cabin 25- The Broughton House, a new accommodation at Telegraph Cove Resort & Campground, will be available for reservations this season.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Lee Stone is back as general manager and coach of the Campbell River Storm.
Colleen McClure Designs, located at 1401 C Maple Street, will be hosting the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce‘s B2B Mixer on April 30.
The Campbellton Neighbourhood Association (CNA) is holding a call for artists to propose a mural that would be the second installment of the Campbellton Art Project. The proposed mural would be based around the Campbellton River Village.
Anytime Fitness Campbell River celebrates ten years of operation.
Carihi’s student-led Interact chapter of the Noon Rotary has received auction profits from sponsor Karen Johnson. A total of $1330 was donated to the B.C. Children’s Hospital Research Institute on April 14, 2026.
North Island College and Wei Wai Kum will host the Pacific Seaweed Summit, scheduled for May 6–8. The summit will bring together scholars, business experts, Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and community members from throughout the Pacific region.
COMOX VALLEY
Chris Poelvoorde
Chris Poelvoorde has joined IG Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor and Personal Financial Planner.
Chef Danai Hoingwanishkul, Executive Chef of Ocean7 at Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa in Vancouver Island, was honoured with the Culinary Excellence Award.
Mark Brajer has been named Chief Executive Officer of K’ómoks Economic Development Corporation, while Shaun Thomas has joined K’ómoks First Nation as Chief Administrative Officer.
The Comox Valley Regional District will get $150,000 in government funding to cover personal protective equipment, group shelter supplies, and training, which will be split by Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, and the K’omoks First Nation.
A new Marina Park Arts & Crafts Market pilot has been approved in Downtown Comox, with vendor registration now officially open. The initiative will run alongside the summer’s “Float Your Boat Fridays,” offering local artisans and BIA members an opportunity to showcase their products and connect with the community.
Swing City Indoor Golf Comox Valley is now open for business.
Mark Brajer
Mark Brajer has been named Chief Executive Officer of K’ómoks Economic Development Corporation, while Shaun Thomas has joined K’ómoks First Nation as Chief Administrative Officer.
The Village Clinic located at 519 Fifth St., in downtown Courtenay, celebrating its fifth anniversary.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
The Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre has joined the Island Good community.
Royal LePage Commercial welcomes Kevin Kittmer of Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty.
The Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre has been awarded the Tourism Impact Award from the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and the Work-Integrated Learning Industry Partner of the Year award from Vancouver Island University.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Kim Yanick Portraits and AMC Applied Management Centre Ltd.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will be conducted on May 29 at Fairwinds Golf Club, following a three-year hiatus.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce AGM has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 26.
PORT ALBERNI
Jolleen Dick celebrates her third year as the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce‘s CEO.
Klubhouse for Kids is celebrating its 23rd anniversary.
Coombs Country Candy, located at 2101 Old Nanaimo Hwy, Port Alberni, celebrated its Grand re-opening on April 19th.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
Tacofino will open at 450 Campbell St. in Tofino this spring.
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, The Shore Pier, Bryan Pudney Kelly, and SeaKelp Human Resources & Staffing.
The Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks has welcomed Treetop Suite at Tofino Hobby Farm as its newest member.
The Floathouse Patio and Grill in Ucluelet has opened for the season.
NANAIMO
Adam Garvin
Roper Greyell LLP has announced that Adam Garvin, the Chief Executive Officer, is now part of the firm’s partnership. Adam has officially been admitted to the partnership after a formal application and review by the Law Society. This approval highlights his professional qualifications and the significant leadership role he has developed at Roper Greyell since becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2022 and later Chief Executive Officer in 2024.
VitaCare Natural Health Clinic, located in central Nanaimo is seeking a compassionate and skilled Registered Massage Therapist, Chiropractor, Physiotherapist to provide professional therapy services to clients.
The Rising Hope Community Kitchen in Nanaimo, which is a program of the Island Crisis Care Society, is currently 24/7 operational.
The Greater nanaimo Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, DataStream Networks Inc.
The British Columbia Hotel Association is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 BCHA Awards of Excellence:
- Accommodation of the Year: The Parkside Hotel & Spa
- Housekeeping Excellence: Summerland Waterfront Resort Hotel
- Hotelier of the Year: David MacKenzie, Owner & Managing Director, Pemberton Valley Lodge
- Sustainability Champion: The Parkside Hotel & Spa
- Leader of the Future: Savannah Cannatella, Director of Rooms, Magnolia Hotel & Spa
- Guest Service Excellence: Guest Experience Team, Nimmo Bay Resort
- Culinary Excellence: Danai Hongwanishkul, Executive Chef, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
According to Insolvency Insider “Coast Wholesale Appliances Inc. and Coast Holdings (GP) Ltd., the BC-based retailer operating as Coast Appliances, entered CCAA protection on April 17 after BMO, acting for a lending syndicate, sought court relief as the company’s financial crisis deepened.Coast employed about 300 people and operated 17 showrooms, 9 distribution centres, and an e-commerce platform across five provinces, but was hit by weak consumer spending, supply-chain pressures, higher rates, a housing slowdown, and falling demand tied to stalled residential and commercial construction. Several stores had already closed, repeated forbearance efforts failed, and lender debt had climbed to nearly $69 million by March 31. A $60 million investor recapitalization and a targeted sale process also fell short, with only one non-viable bid received. The filing was accelerated after the board and chief executive officer resigned on April 15, leaving the business without governance. PwC was appointed monitor with enhanced powers. The syndicate is funding a DIP loan, and the next hearing is expected to seek approval of a Hilco-led liquidation and store-closing process. Counsel is Fasken for BMO, McCarthy Tétrault for the monitor, and Cassels for Hilco.”
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce‘ Business Mixer will be hosted by Boundless Books Ladysmith Books on April 22.
The Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation announced the official opening of its new water reservoir, which cost approximately $6.9 million, last month.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce welcomes Off The Hook Mill Bay, Anthom HVAC Ltd., Cowichan Links Bar and Grill, Medicine Shoppe Berkey’s Corner, and Tooth House Dental Hygiene Inc., as its new members.
SB Windows and Doors is now open every Saturday.
Duncan’s Treefrog Tropicals, which has been in business in the city for nearly eight years, celebrated its fourth year at its current home at 101-373 Coronation Avenue
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