News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is awarding a one-time grant of $451,640 to North Island College to accommodate eight nursing students at the Mix̱alakwila campus in Port Hardy.
The Town of Port McNeill is celebrating its 60th year on May 30th at Centennial Field.
Construction is underway for a new Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove on North Island.
Wendy Nixon Stothert, a well-known choir director, will lead three vocal workshops at the A-Frame Church at 175 Cedar Street on May 8 and 9. The lessons are put on by the Wild Heart Music Society.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Flirty Beauty Studio in Campbell River is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Emterra Environmental has made its first-ever $1,000 donation to the 7th Annual Small Planet Cleanup Contest.
Gord Knight Auto Sales & Service has made a $200 donation to support the Campbellton Neighbourhood Association‘s planters along Highway 19A.
Greenways Land Trust is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year with the launch of its inaugural Salmonberry Nature Festival, taking place from May 4th to 10th.
COMOX VALLEY
McDonald’s in Comox Valley will be hosting its 12th annual McHappy Day on May 6th to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House BC and Foundry Comox Valley.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Comox has reopened its doors.
The official handover of land at 2140 Lake Trail Road from the City of Courtenay is celebrated by Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North (Habitat VIN).
The Gnarly Craft Fair, a seasonal event, will take place at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay on May 2 as part of the celebrations of B.C. Youth Week.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
CR Lawyers will be hosting the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce Business After Business on April 29 at their new location in downtown Parksville at 101 – 191 Jensen Ave.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament will be held on May 29 at Fairwinds Golf Club, 3730 Fairwinds Dr, Nanoose Bay, and is open to both members and non-members.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Costco Wholesale #155.
The SOS Fore Our Community Golf Tournament will be held on June 6, 2026, at Morningstar Golf Club. The event is intended to raise funds for SOS Child, Youth, and Family programs, which provide assistance to local residents in need.
Extreme Eatz Restaurant Inc. has been awarded a short-term maintenance contract, and a distinct agreement for the long-term operations of the Eaglecrest Golf Course is currently being developed.
The 100 Good Men of Oceanside presented a $19,200 check to Oceanside Community Church (OCC) to benefit the local community through an affordable food program. The organization’s next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on June 3rd at the Morningstar Golf Course.
PORT ALBERNI
Robin Turner has joined the Alberni Valley Salvation Army as its new Intake Worker.
Polaris Land Surveying announced their expansion to Port Alberni, now offering professional services within the Alberni-Clayquot Regional District.
The AGM of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce will take place at McLean Mill National Historic Site on May 13.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations will host the Three Stars Dark Sky Festival, which will premiere in public on May 8–10, 2026.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes Tanya Gabrielle Counselling to its business community.
A $6.375 million reconstruction from Harbour Road to 3rd Avenue is scheduled to start construction in September 2026 and last through spring 2027.
NANAIMO
The Regional District of Nanaimo has announced the selection of two organizations to receive a combined total of $219,200 in grants from the Zero Waste Recycling Funding program for 2026. Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank will receive $119,200, while Light House Sustainability Society is awarded $100,000. Two grantees are set to utilize the funds to prevent essential materials from entering the region’s waste stream, transforming them into valuable resources for local communities, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
Tim Hortons is launching its annual Smile Cookie campaign at all Nanaimo locations from Monday, April 27 to Sunday, May 3. Proceeds will benefit the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation.
Le Brunch Cafe located at 3023 Barons Road, Nanaimo, is reopening on May 2.
Vendors can now apply for the annual Mega Cedar Market, taking place on June 6th at the Wheatsheaf Ball Field in Cedar.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is hosting a May Business After Business event at Greenview Taphouse on Thursday, May 21st, in Nanoose Bay.
The Pacific Arts Market, a 2100 sq. ft. gallery, is set to open in Downtown Nanaimo in June 2026 at 100-460 Wallace St.
Kidz Toyz, a new toy store, will soon open in the Nanaimo North Town Centre.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The two-story Temperance Hotel in Ladysmith has five recently renovated hotel rooms while preserving much of its historic character.
The Wayward Inn at 9923 Willow St. is introducing a flexible payment option for guests, allowing them to pay what they can for their stay.
The vibrant orange food trailer Ohana Ice, known for its shave ice and playful cocktails, is now serving customers at Chemainus’s famous Valley Roots Food Market.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Andrew Golin, a businessman from Vancouver Island, has acquired the 18-hole Arbutus Ridge Golf Course from Yi Jing Golf Club Inc.
Swordfern Boutique, located at 89A S Shore Rd. in Lake Cowichan, was acquired by Nicole Malone and Christina Belcourt.
Beginning in May, BC Ferries will begin constructing a two-ship service between Crofton and Salt Spring Island’s Vesuvius Bay at the Crofton ferry terminal.
The Youbou auto repair shop Daly’s Auto Centre is being sold by its owner, Grant Daly, who recently announced his retirement.
Members of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce and guests are invited for a Member Morning Meet-up on May 1 at the Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
