News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Angela and Keith Porter
Keith and Angela Porter are the new owners of Port Hardy Building Supply Ltd.
Des Westenberg’s Hemlock & Fir, a new tote bag business, has been launched in the North Island.
The Kwa’lilas Hotel will host the Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: RCMP Community Update on April 22.
BC Ferries has modified the timetable for Route 25 (Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula), resulting in a shift in the schedule times for both Sointula and Alert Bay throughout the day due to staffing challenges.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Myriah Foort
Campbell River BIA welcomes new board members: Myriah Foort (MNP CR), Darrin Finnerty (Beachfire Brewing) and Tegan Hnatiuk (Ankor Hair Salon).
Just Like Home (JLH) Lodge and Healthcare Workforce Housing, a critical healthcare accommodation initiative that will enhance the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, is a partnership between Strathcona Regional District, Campbell River Hospital Foundation, and Broadstreet Properties/Seymour Pacific Homes, and will soon be available in Campbell River.
The 2025-2029 Financial Plan has been officially approved by the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board, which has reaffirmed its dedication to strategic investment, responsible financial management, and the advancement of the Board’s priorities in community well-being, climate resilience, and good governance.
Pacific Coastal Airlines celebrates the 25th anniversary of its airport bases in Comox and Campbell River.
As of April 3, 2025, the City of Campbell River has extended parking time limits in downtown areas to better support our local businesses. Following a successful request from the Campbell River Downtown BIA and approval by City Council, all one-hour parking zones across Shoppers Row, Pier Street, and select downtown blocks have been upgraded to two-hour zones.
Discovery Laser celebrates 20 years in business.
North Island 911 celebrates 30 years!
Campbell River has been named as one of Canada’s top 11 trending destinations by Airbnb.
COMOX VALLEY
Market People Supervisor Kelsey Jeannotte has been awarded the 2025 Golden Maple Leaf Award by McDonald’s Canada.
The Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board have partnered to offer funding for regional social services and projects. The CVCF will administer a total of $30,000 in funding through their Community Enrichment Grants Program.
The Town of Comox has been awarded provincial grant funding to enhance active transportation in the community. The funds will be invested in the construction of a new sidewalk on Bolt & Aspen (between Aspen Park Elementary and Murrelet Drive) and bike lanes on Aspen (between Guthrie and Anderton).
The Morton Arboretum and the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program have granted Filberg Park level 1 arboretum accreditation. This acknowledgment underscores the town’s dedication to the preservation and improvement of this local space, guaranteeing that Filberg Park continues to be a vibrant arboretum for the educational, conservation, and recreational purposes of the community.
Harbour Air direct flights from Comox to downtown Vancouver are back.
Comox Summer Fest is happening on June 28, 2025.
Pacific Coastal Airlines celebrates 25 years operating out of Comox and Campbell River.
A special Business After Business event will be hosted by First Credit Union at the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Hub on April 24 from 5:30-7:30 pm.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Nik Vischschraper, CEO of Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation, was appointed to the Chamber board of directors and Tin Wis’ AGM Maria Clark was appointed to the Tourism Tofino board during the joint AGM of the Tofino Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tofino held last month.
Pacific Coastal Airlines has been named one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 2025.
PORT ALBERNI
The Book Wyrm bookstore is now open 7 days a week.
The Uchucklesaht Tribe Government recently announced the acquisition of Pete’s Mountain Meats in Port Alberni. Peter Kurucz and his family have run the business for the past 30 years.
The City of Port Alberni is currently running a public survey regarding the Transportation Master Plan.
The Alberni Valley Regional District Government is completing a Housing Needs Report and has issued a public survey regarding housing needs.
Port Alberni’s first annual Vaisakhi Day parade is set to take place April 13.
Hupačasath First Nation has become the official owner of Gill Elementary School and associated property.
Former Port Alberni goaltender, Callum Tung, has signed with NHL’s New York Rangers.
Councillor Jared Dick has been newly elected to Hupačasath First Nation’s Council. He joins returning Councillors Serena Mayer, Cameron Tatoosh and returning Chief Brandy Lauder.
Five Acre Productions announced the dates for this year’s Five Acre Shaker music festival: August 8 & 9.
Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot announced the re-launch of myCommunityFutures: offering webinars, workshops and consulting services free of charge to startups, businesses and non-profits located in Port Alberni, Tofino, Bamfield and Ucluelet.
Bowerman Construction, Hub City Paving, McGill Engineering and Tseshaht First Nation are completing road restoration and paving on Saiyachatpis Road.
Port Alberni musician Lance Lapointe, known as “Campfire Lance,” has signed on as singer and bassist for legendary rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The band kicked off their 2025 North American tour at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria this month and will be on tour until the end of September.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Ailene Daculug has been promoted to Area Operations Manager, taking charge of Evergreen Hospitality Group’s Parksville hotel portfolio, starting April 1, 2025.
Isaac Asante Gyekye has joined Parksville Travel Consult as a Manager.
The Morningstar Golf Club will host the Annual General Meeting of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 17.
The council overwhelmingly approved the rezoning application submitted by FizzaHarris Designs for a potential multiplex development in Parksville.
NANAIMO
Matcon Group and Knappett Industries have announced their merger, set to take effect on April 2nd, 2025.
Travis Michelson, a kinesiologist, is introducing kinesiology at the Advanced Health + Sports Clinic in Nanaimo.
Nanaimo Toyota has joined the Trotman Auto Group family.
On April 4th, DP World, the Port of Nanaimo, and the Snuneymuxw First Nation held a ceremonial land blessing and groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official launch of the Duke Point Terminal Expansion project.
The Nanaimo Golf Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Aligned Design, Sea Wolves Men’s Cancer Pack, Leaving Legacy Live, BCAA – Evolve E-Bike and E-Scooter Share, Property Sales Vancouver Island, Cold Front Gelato, Global Public Affairs, Pride Painting Ltd., Mufiz Ahmed, Eric Quao, Joseph Boateng, Sara Daneshpazhooh, Jenn Violet | Branding Consultant, Alison Kuenzig and Incharacter Costumes & Novelties.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is calling on qualified and experienced firms to submit their Statements of Qualifications for a Development Cost Charge Study in the Nanoose Fire Protection Area for Fire Protection. The study is expected to be completed by the end of November 2025. For any inquiries, submissions, or amendments, please contact Steve Windsor, Manager of Fire Services at the Regional District of Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Don Manning of Chemainus has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Taking place on Saturday, April 12 from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Michael’s Church, 2858 Mill St., is a gathering for Our Chemainus – A Celebration. The event is free of charge and open to the community and local businesses.
The 16th Annual Chamber Golf Classic will be held on June 13, 2025 at Cottonwood Golf Course.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Concept Refrigeration LTD.
Beans and Banter Cafe and Creperie opens at 422 Esplanade Ave. in Ladysmith.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Live Edge Design at 5195 Mearns Rd. in Duncan, will host a mix and mingle on April 23 to kick off Cowichan Artisans’ Spring Tour.
Tammy Prince, an Emotion-Code practitioner, has launched Ideally Blissful Wellness in Duncan.
In celebration of its 125-year anniversary, EB Horsman & Son highlights its Duncan branch, a reliable electrical distributor serving the Cowichan Valley for more than 35 years.
Whisky Jacks, a product of Merridale Cidery & Distillery, won the 2025 World Whiskies Award for Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt.
Warmland Calligraphy will be holding a Cowichan Valley celebration to mark 30 years of calligraphy on April 12.
The Crafters Lounge recently celebrated its grand opening at 24 Station St. in Duncan.
A new resource called Navigating Tariffs was created by Economic Development Cowichan to assist local companies in adjusting to changes in international trade laws.
The seasonal operation of the Cowichan Lake weir, which controls the flow of water out of the lake, will be resumed by Domtar’s Crofton Mill.
The Laine Vintage Underground Mall, situated on the lower level of Laine Vintage Clothing & Home Décor at 79 Station St, has the capacity to accommodate an additional 10 vendors.
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