News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Telegraph Cove‘s Old Saltery Pub and Killer Whale Café is scheduled to open in May.
The Quatsino First Nation‘s new petrol station is currently under construction and is expected to open in February.
McWilkie’s in Port Alice, owned by Brendon and Emily Wilkie, is re-opening the season with a new and healthier menu.
The North Island Crisis and Counseling Center Society‘s Let Them Play Early Learning Center in Port McNeill has relocated to the Cheslakees School facility at 2853 Mine Road.
The District of Port Hardy is seeking proposals for the development of wayfinding signage. The proponent will provide professional services for the planning, design, consultation, coordination, and implementation support of a comprehensive community wayfinding and digital mapping system.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, V.I. Labour Services. The Chamber will also be holding their B2B Mixer on January 29th from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Coast Discovery Hotel.
Goose & Gander will be holding its soft opening on January 29 at 1760 Island Highway, Campbell River.
Greenways Land Trust is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The Sourdough Whisperer is celebrating its 2nd year anniversary.
Applications for the Campbell River Community Foundation’s 2026 Community Grants are being accepted through February 15th.
COMOX VALLEY
SkyFire Energy Inc. has acquired Hakai Energy Solutions Inc.
Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community announced the appointment of Scott Gregor as Executive Chef.
The 14th Annual Comox Valley Whisky Festival is set for February 6th at the Native Sons Hall, located at 360 Cliffe Ave in Downtown Courtenay.
Church St. Taphouse has teamed up with Comox Valley breweries including Cumberland Brewing Company, RAD Brewing Company, Land And Sea Brewing Company, Gladstone Brewing Co., and Ace Brewing Company, for the Taphouse Trail, running through February 28.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
Tigh-Na-Mara has been selected the Times Colonist Reader’s Choice Best Island Resort, and Spas of America has chosen The Grotto Spa as the best spa in British Columbia.
The public hearing stage has been approved for a three-building south Parksville development featuring residential apartments above a grocery store at 1180 Resort Dr.
The Parksville Chamber welcomes new members: BC & Alberta Guid Dogs – Mike Annam, Phantom Screens Vancouver Island – Iain Twiddy & Elise Raye, Kirk Walper PREC Royal LePage Island Living and WM.
Enzo Calla, the new Coombs-Hilliers Fire Chief, was appointed by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) following the retirement of Ron Schildroth.
The Fort Garry 2025 fire engine, a new addition to the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department (CHVFD), will be put into service in late January.
PORT ALBERNI
A new five-storey building is underway at 2886 4th Ave. It will include 40 rental homes and a ground-floor commercial space. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.
Reflective Pro Detailing is now operating in Port Alberni.
The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is hosting the Alberni Valley Arts Festival February 14 & 15.
Alberni Valley Food Security Society is hosting the annual Seedy Saturday February 14.
Synergy Foundation is hosting Free Job Training and Info Session, Circular Workforce, January 22 at the Barclay Hotel. This event will provide an opportunity to learn about the full-funded training programs to be offered in 2026, hear from the local training providers, and sign-up as an interested trainee.
100+ Women Who Care – Alberni announced that Ty Watson Hospice Society will be the recipient of a$10,000 donation.
The Alberni Valley Community Foundation’s Community Fund is open for applications from local registered charities.
Tilly Mint Hair Studio has been awarded the Canadian Choice award winner for Best Salon in Port Alberni.
Family Literacy takes place January 31 at the City of Post Alberni’s Public Library and Echo Centre.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Program has received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to run the Port Alberni Multi-Nation Warrior Program for 30 months, up to March 2028. In addition, a women’s program has been launched in Port Alberni.
Agrohope Farms & Products Inc has ben awarded The Canadian Choice award winner in Specialty Food Products – Port Alberni.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
Mandy Farmer
Mandy Farmer, CEO of Accent Inns, has been appointed Chair of the Hotel Association of Canada Board of Directors.
Baptiste Tendero has been named Team Member of the Year at the Wickaninnish Inn.
Tofino Kombucha has been awarded BC Green Business Certification for the third consecutive year from BC Green Business / Synergy Foundation.
NANAIMO
Island Health requires a variance for the building’s height and other considerations; however, the zoning bylaw and Official Code of Procedure amendments for the Lantzville long-term care facility have successfully passed third reading.
A 48-unit Wellington Road development, designed by Low Hammond Rowe Architects, is planned between 4444 and 4446 Wellington Rd., next to Sunview Rd.
An estimated $5.2 million project to rebuild and construct two bridges over Thatcher Creek and the Nanaimo River along the Morden Colliery Regional Trail was approved by the Regional District of Nanaimo Board.
A new governance model has been introduced by the Pacific Rim School District, involving leaders from the ten Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
Pacific Arts Market Gallery is opening this spring in the new Soundworks Building in downtown Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Shannon Norris has joined the team of realtors at Island Roots Group.
CVF Nutrition + Fitness Studio in Chemainus is celebrating its 1st anniversary.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
A new $65 million cooperative housing complex with 92 apartments was unveiled on January 13 at 3181 Sherman Road in North Cowichan. The Community Land Trust owns and operates the project.
Duncan Cowichan Chamber welcomes new member Violet Wild Cannabis,
BC Transit has implemented Sunday service on Route 66, the Cowichan-Victoria Express (CVX).
Spa Pacifico marked its one-year anniversary in Mill Bay last month.
A 10.62 per cent tax increase is being considered by the North Cowichan Council for 2026.
The Islands Agriculture Show remains the biggest Island-based agriculture event of the year — offering two full days of education, innovation, and community connection for farmers, producers, and agri-professionals. The Islands Agriculture Show will take place January 30 and 31, 2026, at the Cowichan Exhibition, offering a unique gathering place for those shaping the future of island agriculture.
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