News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Russell Murray has been elected as the new president of the Port Alice Golf Club, with Tyler Boese taking on the role of vice president.
Abdolsamad (Sammy) Chalangarian has launched Port Alice Pharmacy, located at 1031 Marine Dr, Port Alice.
Four local businesswomen are spearheading the launch of Port Alice Business Association, which include Sunseeker B&B owner; Barbara Purewal from The Loyal Shepherd, lodging and rental condo; Renae Marshall, Financial Future, finance advising; Ruth Duffin Bodysense, soap and home goods; and Rikki Choudhry, proprietor of Mio Amore Pizza.
Wendy Glos from Port McNeill has launched Echoes of Life – An Oracle Deck for Grief. It can now be purchased at The Book Nook at Cafe Guido in Port Hardy, as well as at The Book Shelf in Shoprite Home, Carson’s Crystals, and Island Dawn’s Gift and Consignment in Port McNeill.
More than $3,000 was collected by the Port Hardy Save On Foods team to support the lunch program at Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School.
CAMPBELL RIVER
EB Horsman Campbell River has officially opened the doors to its brand-new facility at 904 Ironwood Street.
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a B2B Mixer on February 27 at the Coast Discovery Inn.
The Laichwiltach Community Health Centre located at 929 Ironwood St. has officially opened its doors.
Toronto’s Captone Infrasture, partnering with Wei Wai Kum First Nation on the Brewster Wind Project, is set to begin environmental planning work this year. The project will produce approximately 510,000 megawatts of electricity every year.
COMOX VALLEY
Shar Pennington
Shar Pennington, Director of Finance at the Comox Valley Dodge, is celebrating a decade of service to the company.
The 2025 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, a fundraiser for the Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI)’s projects, will begin on March 21 at the Stan Hagen Theatre in Courtenay.
Uranus, a pet-friendly establishment on 5th Street in Courtenay that offers a distinctive assortment of novelty products, cards, and gifts, is celebrating 30 years of operation.
The Comox Valley Dodge‘s second annual Driven Women event is scheduled on March 8th at 278 N Island Hwy, Courtenay.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Brian Scudamore has become an official investor in Mint Cleaning.
The Tofino Hello Pharmacy is preparing for the completion of its renovation at 360 Campbell St.
BC Transit and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Government (ACRD) have announced that starting March 1, 2025, the West Coast Transit System, which is currently operated by the ACRD, will be transitioned to a service run by BC Transit.
PORT ALBERNI
The Philippine Mars waterbomber made its final flight successfully flying to its final destination at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is looking into options to either relocate or renovate their existing location in Port Alberni.
The Port Alberni Home Show takes place March 1 & 2 at Glenwood Community Sports Centre.
Wiink Salon has opened for business in Port Alberni.
SteamPunk Café & Coffee House recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary.
Port Alberni’s West Coast General Hospital Foundation has received a $1,000 donation from the Port Alberni Chinese Canadian Society.
Huu-ay-aht First Nation recently announced receipt of $1.0 Million for a Weaving Justice Grant from the Law Foundation of British Columbia. With this funding, Huu-ay-aht will study and review its Tribunal process.
The City of Port Alberni is supporting the Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) and Port Boat House in a new lease agreement that will see Port Boat House expand its yard into the adjacent parking lot owned and maintained by PAPA.
A development permit has been approved for Tseshaht First Nation, Hupacasath First Nation and Huu-ay-aht First Nation to build a Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham in Port Alberni. The hotel will be a four-storey building with 76 rooms, a pool and a waterslide, located on Johnston Road.
Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department has donated $1,000 to The Port Alberni Backpack Program and $1,000 to Ty Watson house from funds raised during their Christmas fundraising events held in partnership with Buy-Low Foods.
Ground preparation work is set to begin at Clutesi Haven Marina, a Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative between Tseshaht First Nation, Hupačasath First Nation, and the City of Port Alberni. This pilot project, the first of its kind between the 3 partners, was started in 2023 and is anticipated to be complete in summer 2025.
Pacific Rim School District #70 and Tseshaht First Nation announced the successful sale of a property on Craig Road, marking a return of the land to Indigenous rights holders. Tseshaht First Nation plans to develop housing units on the property.
Good/Kind Consignment store is hosting a grand reopening at their new location at within Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay.
The Book Wyrm Bookshop has opened for business at Redford Street in Port Alberni.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
The third annual Dirt Cup will take place on March 21st at the Oceanside Arena in Parksville.
Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Bee Happy! Cleaning and PQ Self Storage Ltd.
The Tourism Employer Roundtable Series: Workplace Mental Health and People Practices (Parksville, BC) hosted by go2HR will take place on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Grand Strathcona Room of the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre.
A decision regarding the borrowing of up to $30 million by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to expand the Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach will be made by eligible electors from the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Electoral Areas (EA) E, F, G, and H on April 5.
NANAIMO
Janice Perrino
The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) acclaimed a Chair and Acting Chair at the February 25, 2025, meeting of the NRHD Board per provincial legislation. Janice Perrino takes on a one-year term as Chair of the NRHD, while Ian Thorpe moves into the role of Acting Chair, also for a one-year term.
Beth Thompson from Wondrland Design will be collaborating with Root Interiors Ltd. on a new golf clubhouse project.
Eric Rochette has been appointed as the next superintendent of the Nanaimo RCMP, succeeding Andrew Burton, who will assume the role of warden of the Nanaimo Correctional Centre.
AquaNauts Swim Academy has officially opened its doors in Nanaimo, located at 3351 Ross Rd.
Island West Coast Developments Ltd has completed the new Galaxy Motors dealership in downtown Nanaimo.
The Vancouver Reptile Expo – Island Edition is set for March 1 and 2, 2025, at the Beban Park Recreation Centre Auditorium “A,” located at 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo.
The Canadian Celiac Association British Columbia‘s Dine Out Event is scheduled for March 11th at Off The Hook – 1588 Boundary Crescent, Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Judy Istace has started new job at Island Savings, Chemainus, as Assistant Branch Manager.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the I.C.E.³ A BUSINESS IT SYMPOSIUM on March 5, 2025, at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham.
The Purdey Group, a partner in the Mill Bay Marine Group, proposed to construct two apartment buildings—possibly five or six floors tall—with a total of 139 units at the Mill Bay Village.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Jeremy Horgan has launched Doom City Records above the Duncan Garage Cafe & Bakery. In collaboration with Cowichan Green Community, the store will contribute all sales from donated records to the Pregnancy Food Connections Program.
Twofiveo Tour Co., CVI Restaurant & Lounge and Jac’s On Queens will be hosting a St Paddy’s Weekend Bar Crawl on Mar 14th, 15th and 17th.
Cowichan Canvas Upholstery has recently opened at 205 South Shore Road, Lake Cowichan.
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