News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Kristina Fedorak
Kristina Fedorak and Kirstie Bradshaw have taken on the role of new owners of Port Hardy’s North Shore Inn. Kristina is the owner of Ecoscape Cabins and Cove Apparel, and she holds a real estate licence while working for 460 Realty North Island. Meanwhile, Kirstie operates Sockeye Cottages in Port Hardy and serves as the Sort and Quality Control Supervisor at Western Forest Products.
Representatives from Dollarama visited their new Port Hardy location at Thunderbird Mall on Friday to accept applications from potential employees, with the store set to open in mid-January.
The Young Entrepreneurs Market & Art Show happening this winter at the Port Hardy Recreation Centre on Jan 25.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Vendor registration is now open on Toys On The Island event which will be held in the Campbell River Community Centre on March 29, 2025.
The City of Campbell River is part of the Canoe Procurement Group of Canada, allowing it to utilize cooperative contracts for procurement. The Canoe Procurement Group of Canada simplifies the purchasing process through cooperative contracts, leveraging the national buying power of over 50,000 member agencies. Canoe Procurement Group of Canada establishes and grants municipal purchasing contracts that are nationally leveraged and competitively requested, all under the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law. Members can legally purchase under Joint Powers laws through contracts.
The City of Campbell River invites tenders for Discovery Pier Structural Repairs project, which includes structural repairs and maintenance to the creosote-treated timber pier.
The Strathcona Regional District is establishing a permanent wood waste collection program for residents south of Campbell River. This initiative will result in an annual tax cost of approximately $20 for Area D residents. Feedback is due by February 12. For more details, check the regional district’s website.
COMOX VALLEY
Donald Dippo, an educator and supporter of educational equity, was named a member of the Order of Canada. He is also a co-founder of the Dadaab Refugee Camps-based Borderless Higher Education for Refugees program.
The Comox Valley Waste Management Centre in Cumberland is set to get Renewable Natural Gas upgrades according to a Landfill Gas Purchase Agreement signed by Comox Strathcona Waste Management and FortisBC Energy Inc.
Due to increasing rent expenses and hitting the limitations of their government operations budget, Comox Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR), which has been headquartered at 3001 Moray Avenue in Courtenay for nearly 30 years, may soon begin seeking for a new location.
The Comox Valley Art Gallery is hosting a free film screening featuring new films created by youth on January 10 at the Sid Williams Theatre.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The Wickaninnish Inn‘s Holiday Light Tour & Fundraiser Event successfully raised $1430.00 from the community. Additionally, the Inn will contribute $2000.00, which will be split equally between Fish and Loaves Tofino and Food Bank on the Edge in Ucluelet.
The Ucluelet Aquarium expresses gratitude to all who supported the business this year, celebrating an impressive fifty thousand visitors—ten thousand more than the previous year.
Hello Nature Adventure Tours has recently been Biosphere Certified.
The Tofino Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre is set to receive a $300,000 gift from Ucluelet Co-op and Federated Co-operatives Limited as part of a community-focused initiative that will see the opening of a Co-op Community Teaching Kitchen.
The BEAR Bierhaus in Tofino will close for a month as the team takes a well-deserved break, with plans to reopen in February.
PORT ALBERNI
The Supreme Court of B.C. has granted broader powers to the monitor overseeing the San Group of companies. This decision allows the monitor to manage and make key decisions for the financially troubled forestry firm based in Port Alberni, leading to an extension of the San Group’s protection from creditors. A hearing is set to take place on January 16.
Tom Verbrugge has been elected as new city councillor in the City of Port Alberni‘s recent by-election.
Coulson Aviation and AW & Partners established a strategic alliance and are now renting Coulson’s cutting-edge helitankers and water bombers.
The Alberni Valley Hospice Society has received a $2,500 cheque from Alberni Toyota.
Sweet Enough Sugar-Free Confectionery has officially opened in Port Alberni.
The Fenton Group was recognized as one of Canada’s top real estate advisors by receiving The Royal LePage National Chairman’s Club award.
Oceanwise and Tseshaht Fisheries have been collaborating on kelp reforestation in the Broken Group Islands as a way to restore the region’s vitality.
The Uchucklesaht Tribe Government (UTG) has secured around $2.8 million from the Province of BC’s Community Energy Diesel Reduction Program. This funding will support the development of a battery energy-storage system, which is crucial for building a 750-kilowatt solar-power system and a 250-kilowatt run-of-river hydro-power system.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Garrett Dunlop has been appointed as the head coach of the Oceanside Generals for the rest of the 2024-25 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season.
The Parksville council has given its approval for the construction of an affordable rental apartment building on the crossroads of Franklin’s Gull Road and the old Island Highway.
On January 5, the Parksville Firefighters Association is set to hold a Christmas tree chipping for charity event in the Wembley Mall parking lot. The initiative aims to support the community projects funded by the Parksville Firefighters Association Charitable Fund throughout the year.
The completion and opening of Ballenas Secondary’s Oceanside Community Track is expected in the spring of 2025.
The Town of Qualicum Beach is set to conduct a Greenhouse Gas Audit for three important municipal buildings: the Civic Centre, Community Hall, and Town Hall, as highlighted in the Climate Mitigation Actions Matrix.
The community group advocating for the skatepark in Qualicum Beach has just raised tens of thousands of dollars through monetary and in-kind contributions, and the town is lending its support to them. The group hopes to replace and improve the current town skatepark in 2025, and their fundraising total for 2024 is approximately $150,000.
NANAIMO
Kim Haakstad
Kim Haakstad has been appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of COFI.
Ethan Katzberg from Nanaimo has been awarded Male Athlete of the Year.
Cabela’s big-box store location in Nanaimo has officially rebranded to Bass Pro Shop.
BC Construction Safety Alliance announced the launch of its new First Aid Assessment App to support construction employers in BC.
B.C. Ferries is seeking cost estimates from contractors to enhance its cellular network connectivity for crews by delivering LTE and 5G data coverage.
Island Healing invites businesses and trades to join the Nanaimo Wellness & Spirit Fair, featuring both indoor and outdoor market events, happening on May 10, 2025, at Cavallotti Hall, located at 2060 E. Wellington Rd., Nanaimo.
Nanaimo’s parks, recreation and culture department has announced plans to replace two main heating, air-conditioning, and dehumidification systems at the facility. The project, set for 2024-26, could reduce the aquatic centre’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 800 tonnes, which accounts for 13 percent of the City of Nanaimo‘s yearly GHG emissions from its facilities and operations.
Nanaimo city council has approved an 86-unit apartment complex on Dufferin Crescent, located near Bowen Road on an undeveloped lot. The project will consist of a five-storey multi-family building.
Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank‘s Nanaimo warehouse building project has been allocated $5 million by the federal government.
The first Monthly Networking Luncheon of the year, organized by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, is set for January 16. The event will be hosted by Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools at the Nanaimo Golf Club.
The Sip, Learn, & Create: Networking Happy Hour Nanaimo, a monthly networking series for Nanaimo professionals, small businesses, individuals, and community members, is happening on January 23rd, 2025, at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256 (Lobby and Bar Area).
Cold Front Gelato, located at 306-60 Commercial St, Nanaimo, will be closed until the end of January.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Warren Goulding, the owner of Chemainus Public Market, has announced that the market will shut its doors at the end of January 2025.
CVC Nutrition will celebrate its grand opening at 9774 Willow St. on January 12th.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Rob Douglas, the mayor of North Cowichan, has been added to the Island Coastal Economic Trust board.
Adrian Legin, who has served as president and chief executive officer of the Coastal Community Credit Union for the past sixteen years, has announced that he will step down from his position come June.
Tim Davie, Superintendent of Pacific Rim School District #70, is set to take on a new role with the Cowichan Valley School District, starting January 10. Peter Klaver is set to take on the position of Superintendent, while James Messenger will move into the role of Assistant Superintendent.
Bailey Gathright-Gingras’s Sweeet Spot Rad Vintage & Funky Wares opened on December 6 in the Old Farm Market, 5164 Francis St., just south of Duncan.
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