News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Conservative Party leader John Rustad appointed North Island MLA Dr. Anna Kindy as Health Critic on November 20.
The Marine Education and Research Society (MERS) on Northern Vancouver Island has acquired a new boat, named Megaptera, equipped with essential gear, made possible by the community’s support and their fundraising campaign, ‘Float Our Boat.’
Donations made up until this year’s Giving Tuesday will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Prince of Whales and North Island Kayak in an enthusiastic announcement of their renewed collaboration with Sea Smart, offering a maximum match of $30,000.
Sointula Horse Club celebrated the completion of the Sointula Community Riding Ring restoration project with a ribbon cutting event on November 17.
BS Floors, located at 7070 Market St., Port Hardy, is now open.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Naturally Pacific Resort announced the opening of its new events venue, The Elements Room.
MNP has officially moved to its new location in Campbell River at Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre.
The chair was selected to be Sayward Mayor Director Mark Baker, to serve his third term on the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board, and Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che’tles7et’h’ First Nations appointed director Matthew Jack as the vice-chair.
A new supportive housing project named Homewood has been launched in Campbell River, featuring 40 units aimed at assisting individuals facing homelessness in the central Island community.
A new Seaweed Production and Processing Program is opening at North Island College, providing Coastal British Columbians with a path into a dynamic and promising new industry.
COMOX VALLEY
Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hub hosted an art exhibition opening on December 3rd, featuring ARTWRX Studio/Gallery.
Pharmasave Courtenay has officially opened at 101-397 5th Street, Courtenay.
Mount Washington opens Alpine and Nordic terrain for sneak peek bonus weekends from November 30 to December 1, 2024, the resort’s earliest opening in over eight years.
The Comox Air Force Museum announced the long awaited ‘first concrete pour’ for their Vampire Pavilion. Viking Reinforcing Ltd installed the required rebar for the concrete piers and Kinetic completed the form work.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Wickaninnish Inn participated in the recent Relais & Châteaux Swiss Roadshow, which showcased the Inn’s unique Internship Program and year-round career opportunities to aspiring leaders in the hospitality industry.
PORT ALBERNI
The Port Alberni Port Authority has joined COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) as its new member.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 Business Excellence Awards at the Italian Hall. Award winners were: Good Faith Pharmacy, Pinto Goods & Refillery, Chims Motel, Athena Ethier, owner of Phoenix Acrobatics, Jessica McGregor, Antidote Distilling Co., Suzanne Dube, Megan Warrender of Valley Vibe and Port Alberni Neighbourhood Welcome, V9Y Culinary Services, Skytec Contracting Canada LTD, and Richard Spencer. Award sponsors were Robbins & Company, Hupacasath First Nation, The Fenton Group, Rabinder Dhillon Mortgages, City of Port Alberni, Port Alberni Association of Community Living, Scotiabank – Port Alberni, Alberni Valley Tourism and Arrowsmith Rotary Club. The event was photographed by Tashia Potter photography, and tables were stocked with award-winning Thunderbird Spirit Water, donated by Uchucklesaht Tribe.
The Next Level Pub and Nightclub has opened its doors in the former Beaufort Hotel building in Port Alberni’s Uptown commercial area. Owner Jamie Donovan has applied for a liquor license and plans to offer live music events, music and darts and pool facilities.
Thelu Wellness Coaching, owned and operated by Thys du Toit (PhD), has opened for business offering life and wellness coaching services.
Port Alberni’s Salvation Army has launched its annual Kettle Campaign.
Tranquil Jungle Day Spa has opened for business offering wellness retreat experiences and services.
West Coast Winter Wonderland-themed ice skating has opened at the City of Port Alberni’s Alberni Valley Multiplex. Free admission and free skate rentals have been sponsored by Winter Wonderland skates. Additional sponsors include Alberni District Co-op, CUPE Local 118, Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Robbins & Company Chartered Professional Accountants, Port Alberni Port Authority, Alberni District Teachers Union, Port Alberni District Labour Council, Port Alberni Bombers Hockey Club, Port Alberni Toy Run, Gord Johns for Courtenay-Alberni, Boomerangs Cafe, Funtastic Events, Kinsmen Club, Canadian Tire, Mosaic Forest Management, Beaver Creek Home Center, and Tseshaht Market.
The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting an all-candidates meeting at RimRock Casino on December 4 in advance of the upcoming by-election December 14.
During the West Coast General Hospital Foundation’s 2023-24 fiscal year, donors in and around the Alberni Valley raised $160,000, providing funding for the purchase of a new Stryker Video Tower for the hospital’s operating room and an adjustable IV Start Chair for the medical imaging department.
The Alberni District Fall Fair Association recently held their annual volunteer appreciation night at the Kinsmen Community Centre where they honoured more than 80 volunteers.
The Santa Train, a No. 7 Baldwin locomotive at Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay, has sold out tickets for its popular Santa Steam Express rides. The last time the Santa Train ran in Port Alberni was December 201 when its 34th annual event broke attendance records seeing 1,792 passengers visit with Santa over two days.
The Philippine Mars waterbomber, owned by Coulson Aviation and stationed at Sproat Lake, is being prepared for its final flight to the Aviation Museum in Tucson, Arizona. The Philippine Mars hasn’t flown since 2007, when Coulson Aviation bought it and the Hawaii Mars from TimberWest timber company. The Hawaii Mars was flown to Victoria this August to the BC Aviation Museum.
Lisa MacFarlane, Manager of Fern Valley Out of School Care, a Port Alberni daycare, has been honoured with a B.C. Emergency Health Services “Good Samaritan” award after saving an eight-year-old boy from choking.
The City of Port Alberni has approved construction of apartments and townhouses in a former playing field behind Uchucklesaht Tribe Government’s (UTG) Nucii Building on Redford Street. UTG purchased the former Redford Elementary School in 2018, and renovated it into office and meeting spaces. The proposed development would see 112 dwelling units complete with surface and underground parking spaces.
Brandon Ford, owner of Little Bavaria restaurant was recently in Antigua, Guatemala installing 75 Eco-Stoves for families in the outlying villages. These stoves help reduce the respiratory issues and long term eye issues that develop from cooking over open fires in the home. Over the summer his team at Little Bavaria covered the cost of one of the stoves through their personal donations.
Tseshaht First Nation swag is now available for sale at Tseshaht Market.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley and merchants of Harbour Quay hosted the annual Harbour Quay Light-Up at the Harbour Quay waterfront.
Portal Players Dramatic Society presents a reading of the play “Cloudburst” December 13 at the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni’s Uptown commercial area and Rotary Arts District.
Effective January 1st, 2025, Alberni Electric Ltd will be relocating from 3553 3rd Ave to 3218 3rd Ave. on January 1st.
The Cove Beauty Collective celebrated their grand opening on November 29th.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Stephanie Higginson has officially taken her oath as the new MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside and Caucus Chair during a ceremony held on November 18.
A new Trotec laser engraving machine with a larger bed size of 17″ x 29″ and 80 Watts of power is now available at Cutting Edge Trophies and Engraving in Parksville. Engraving can be done on a variety of materials, including acrylic, glass, wood, laminate, stone, and slate.
The Parksville Curling Club will receive $120,000 from the City of Parksville to support the replacement of a rooftop furnace and a condenser at the curling arena.
There will be $10,000 available in the 2025 budget for potential enhancements to transit stops from the Parksville council.
A property tax increase of 9.6 percent is proposed in the 2025 budget of the Town of Qualicum Beach.
NANAIMO
Donna Hais
Donna Hais was elected Chair of the Port of Nanaimo Board of Directors, and Fred Denning was elected Vice Chair.
The BC Pharmacy Association Board has elected Colleen Hogg (Quadra Island) as Chair and Kylee Power (Nanaimo) as Vice-Chair for 2025. Their terms begin Jan. 1, 2025.
Parker MacCarthy, a judge on the BC Provincial Court, retired on November 30, 2024.
Tetra Realty Advisors recently celebrated its 1 year anniversary.
Natural Resources Canada has awarded $2 million for the Geothermal Energy Development project of the Acho Dene Koe First Nation. With the help of Barkley Project Group Ltd.‘s project management and geoscience experience, this creative project will investigate geothermal options for Fort Liard’s heating, food security, and economic development.
Nanaimo Airport and Kelowna International Airport have announced that their collaboration to boost regional tourism and showcase British Columbia’s premier destinations has received international recognition. They were honoured with the Airport Council International (ACI) Excellence in Airport Marketing Communications & Customer Experience Award for Best in Airport Partnerships.
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is collecting funds for the neonatal unit at NRGH to purchase new infant incubators.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Geoff Cram, renowned for his cinnamon buns in Ladysmith, showcases a stunning gingerbread masterpiece from Old Town Bakery, proudly displayed in the front window for the Festival of Lights celebration.
The Aggie Hall, the home of Ladysmith Family and Friends (LaFF), will host its annual Winter Celebration on December 7.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Laine Vintage Clothing & Home Décor, owned by Emily Armstrong, has moved to a new location in downtown Duncan at 79 Station. St.
Rebecca and George Papadopoulos‘ award-winning Keating Farm on Miller Road in Duncan is preparing for winter and reaping tons of tasty farm items for your holiday celebrations.
The Six-by-Six fundraiser is back, showcasing a variety of 6” by 6” original artworks created by local artists. It kicks off on December 10 and will continue until December 21.
Cowichan Valley Arts Council Holiday Party is on December 18 will be held at the Main Gallery.
Jonathan Hoskins’ Abstract by Nature Exhibition opens on December 4 and will be on display until December 21. Visitors can meet the artist in person on December 5.
CVAC is set to bring back its highly anticipated Artist Card Sale from December 11 to 21 in the Main Gallery, which features a variety of cards, showcasing rare and stunning images created by local artists.
The CVAC annual Lego Show is set to take place in the Main Gallery from December 11 to 21. This year’s theme is Salish Sea, featuring creations from the students and staff of Khowhemun Elementary.
The Malahat SkyWalk has been recognized with a 2024 Ecostar Award in the “Experimental Tourism” category.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE